Florida Personal Injury Deadlines
Direct answer
Most Florida personal injury claims must be filed within four years under section 95.11 of the Florida Statutes, while wrongful death claims must be filed within two years. Claims against a government entity require earlier written notice and carry shorter limits. These periods are general, and shorter deadlines can apply to a specific claim.
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The four-year period for most injury claims
Florida Statutes section 95.11 sets a four-year statute of limitations for negligence actions, which is the category most car crash, premises and general injury claims fall into.
The clock generally starts when the injury occurs. It is not reset by ongoing treatment, by an insurer's delay, or by the filing of a claim with an insurance company.
Two years for wrongful death
Wrongful death claims carry a two-year period under the same statute, and the claim must be brought by the personal representative of the estate for the benefit of survivors and the estate.
Because probate may be required before a personal representative is appointed, families are typically advised to begin the process well before the deadline rather than assuming there is time.
Government defendants and notice requirements
Claims against a city, county, state agency or other public entity involve a statutory written notice requirement and a shorter overall window under Florida's sovereign immunity statute. Missing the notice step can end the claim regardless of merit.
A crash with a government vehicle, a fall at a municipal facility, or an injury on public property all raise this question early.
Insurance deadlines that are not statutes
Some of the shortest dates in a claim come from your own policy rather than from a statute. Uninsured motorist claims, medical payments coverage and collision coverage each carry notice and cooperation duties, and some policies set their own contractual limitation periods.
Personal injury protection also has a practical timing rule: Florida generally requires initial medical services within 14 days of the crash for PIP benefits to apply.
What to do with this information
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and it cannot account for the facts of your situation. Confirm the applicable deadline with a Florida attorney, and do it early enough that evidence can still be collected.
Seamless can help you request a match with a participating Florida attorney. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.
Questions people ask about this
Is the deadline the same for every injury claim?
No. Four years applies to most negligence claims, but wrongful death, medical malpractice, government claims and policy-based claims each have their own rules and windows.
What happens if the deadline passes?
A claim filed after the limitation period has run is generally subject to dismissal. Only a Florida attorney can evaluate whether an exception might apply to your facts.
Does the deadline pause while I recover?
Treatment does not stop the clock. Waiting until recovery is complete can consume the entire filing period in a serious injury case.
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Seamless Attorney Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Submitting an inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not guarantee that an attorney or law firm will accept your matter.