What is a Statute of Limitations?
A Statute of Limitations is a law that dictates the timeframe in which a legal action must be pursued. As described by Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute, a statute of limitations is a law that “bars claims after a certain period of time passes after an injury.” After the time period dictated by a statute of limitations has passed, and no legal action has been taken following an injury or offense, no future legal action can be pursued.
The length of a statute of limitations varies by jurisdiction and claim. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years for personal injury cases, unless the injury happened to someone who was then a minor. In that case, they would have up to two years after their 18th birthday to file a claim. The beginning of the time period in a statute of limitations in a personal injury case typically begins at the discovery of the injury. When the specified time period has passed, cases are almost always dismissed.
Statutes of limitations are meant to encourage timely action by plaintiffs. This keeps potential evidence reliable, and protects defendants from being subjected to unfair proceedings. Statutes of limitations are relevant for both civil and criminal law.
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Your Guide to Filing a Lawsuit
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Personal Injury Lawyers’ Guide to Filing a Lawsuit
If a company or person has acted in negligence and caused you serious injury, you may file a lawsuit in order to obtain financial compensation from the at-fault party. But filing a lawsuit can be a challenging task. Any slight mistake can cost you the compensation that you deserve or cause further damages. That’s why you need the proper guidance and an experienced team of attorneys.
Below, we will explain what it means to file a personal injury lawsuit and how to increase your chances of winning.
What does it mean to file a lawsuit?
A lawsuit is a formal legal case that you or your lawyer files with the court. Filing a lawsuit involves telling the court that the defendant acted negligently and hurt you (the plaintiff). […]
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RV Accidents in Pennsylvania
Summer Travel: RV Accidents in Pennsylvania
RVing is a culture popular with residents of Pennsylvania. Some people acquire RVs for occasional use, such as summer holidays or weekend trips, while others prefer cruising with these vehicles all year long. Sadly, accidents involving RVs often lead to catastrophic injuries, thanks to the vehicles’ enormous sizes and mass. If you are involved in an RV accident in Pennsylvania, an experienced auto accident lawyer can help you determine what to do next.
Although many RV operators are usually careful when cruising with these big machines, some just lack the skills and attention needed to enhance safety. This poses a significant danger to motorists, bystanders, and pedestrians who may end up with serious injuries, permanent damage, or in worst-case scenarios, loss of life.
Our RV accident attorneys are committed to helping residents of Pennsylvania who have been victimized by the poor decision of others obtain fair compensation. […]
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How long does it take to resolve a personal injury case?
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Claim?
One of the most common questions that our clients ask is: how long it will take to settle my personal injury case? Unfortunately, no lawyer can answer that question for certain because every case is different and it can take time to reach the best outcome possible (if you encounter a lawyer who claims to be able to resolve your case in a fixed time period, that may be a red flag). And of course, if the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, your case may go to trial which will extend the timeline a bit further.
To help you understand what to expect in a personal injury case, our experienced personal injury litigation team at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys explain the timeline of a typical case and the factors that can impact your recovery. […]
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Priest abuse lawsuit seeks to extend the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania lawsuit seeks to extend statute of limitations in priest abuse cases
A lawsuit against the Diocese of Pittsburgh aims to extend or eliminate the statute of limitations in civil cases against the Catholic Church stemming from sexual abuse allegations against clergy members and religious administrators. The lawsuit involves a man who, as a young child, was allegedly abused by a priest named in the grand jury report released earlier this month. The suit further alleges that because these accusations were not made public within the statute of limitations, the victim did not have the opportunity to seek justice.
The statute of limitations typically limits the amount of time a victim has to file a civil case against the person or organization that caused them harm. However, the statute has been extended in cases where there has been “fraudulent concealment of evidence.” […]
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How to find out if your used car has been recalled
It will now be easier for used cars buyers to find out if the car they are purchasing has been involved in a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new web tool where you can enter a vehicle’s VIN number to view recalls. You can find it at www.safercar.gov/vinlookup. The site will also show you if the recall work has been completed or not on that particular vehicle. The accuracy of the tool is reliant on receiving regularly updated information from the automakers.
Every year, millions of vehicles are recalled due to safety defects. USA Today reported that 1 in 4 recalled cars never get the recommended recall work done, which could mean potential safety hazards for future car owners. CarFax, an online service that tracks vehicles histories, estimates there are more than 36 million vehicles on U.S. […]
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