Florida's two-year injury deadline (HB 837)

The question this answers: “How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida? Did the deadline change recently?”

Florida Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida depends on when your injury occurred and what type of claim it is.

General Negligence Claims

For most personal injury claims arising from negligence (like car accidents or slip-and-falls), you have 2 years from the date of injury to file suit. [1] However, this is a major change: if your injury occurred before March 24, 2023, the deadline was 4 years. [1] This means the timing of when you were injured matters enormously for determining your deadline.

Other Common Injury Claims

• Medical malpractice: 2 years from the date of injury or when you discovered (or should have discovered) the injury. [1]
• Breach of written contract: 5 years. [1]
• Wrongful death: 2 years from the victim's death. [1]

Important Notes on Deadlines

Statutes of limitation have exceptions (tolling for minors, disability, or fraud, for example), and missing the deadline almost always ends your claim permanently. Do not rely on these general rules for your specific situation. A Florida personal-injury attorney can confirm your exact deadline based on when your injury occurred and what happened—most offer free consultations.