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Is There A Time Limit For Making A Personal Injury Claim In Northern Ireland?

Many people assume that if you’ve been injured, you can simply claim for your injuries whenever you’d like. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. There are strict time limitations for making a personal injury claim in Northern Ireland. 

You have 3 years to bring a personal injury claim in Northern Ireland. This limit was set out by The Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. According to this order, the 3 period runs from when it is first realised that a person has suffered an injury that could be attributable to the negligence of a third party. 

Why is there a time limit for personal injury claims? 

There are several reasons why the government has restricted the time frame for personal injury claims. Firstly, the time limitation encourages individuals to begin the claims process sooner rather than later. This is better for all parties because there is access to more evidence to support your claim. Secondly, it is unjust to expect a defendant to live under a potential threat of litigation in perpetuity. 

What can I do if the personal injury time limit has lapsed? 

Typically, if your claim falls outside the 3 year limitation period, it isn’t likely that you’ll be able to claim compensation for your injuries. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Please note, this is by no means an exhaustive list of exceptions. 

It is important to note that a judge has discretion to allow a case to fall outside the three year period. You would need good reasons in order to persuade the court. It is best to speak with a solicitor if you feel that your claim should be excluded from the three year period. 

What should I do if I’ve been injured?

If you believe you have grounds for an injury claim, it is essential that you seek legal advice as soon as you can. The closer you are to the limitation period, the greater the chances that a solicitor would not be able to pursue your claim. If you want to know whether you can claim for your injuries, contact our expert personal injury solicitors today. 

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