| Statistically speaking, odds are that the average | | | | forth by the statutes of the state in which he or |
| person will end up involved in a lawsuit - either as | | | | she lives. If the individual fails to bring a suit within |
| a plaintiff or defendant - at least one time during | | | | that time frame, that person normally will be |
| the course of his or her life. (This does not include | | | | prevented from filing suit at any time in the |
| being involved in a divorce case; rather, this refers | | | | future. |
| to the statistical probability that a person will be | | | | The same holds true if there is a breach of |
| involved in a lawsuit involving a personal injury or | | | | contract. If a person wants to sure because of a |
| contract dispute at some point during his or her | | | | breach of contract, that individual needs to file suit |
| lifetime.) | | | | within a specified period of time or he or she will |
| Because it is likely that a person will end up | | | | be forever banned (in most cases) from bringing |
| involved in a lawsuit for one reason or another | | | | suit. |
| during his or her lifetime, it does behoove a | | | | As was mentioned a moment ago it is important |
| person to have a basic understanding of what is | | | | to keep in mind that the deadlines for filing suit |
| known as civil procedure. Through this article a | | | | vary from state to state. However, it is |
| basic overview is provided of the essential | | | | commonplace for the statute of limitations |
| elements of civil procedure. With that noted, when | | | | pertaining to personal injury cases to have a |
| it comes to civil procedure, if a person has any | | | | lawsuit filing deadline of two years from the date |
| specific questions in regard to civil procedure or if | | | | of the accident. In many states, a breach of |
| a person finds his or her self involved in a lawsuit, | | | | contract lawsuit must be brought in three years |
| that individual is best served by seeking legal | | | | from the date of the contract breach. But, again, |
| assistance immediately. This article is not intended | | | | these time frames do vary from state to state. |
| to provide legal advice to any individual that is | | | | If you have a question about the statute of |
| facing or involved in a lawsuit. | | | | limitations in your own state, you must contact a |
| The most important factor that a layperson must | | | | lawyer to make sure that your own rights fully |
| keep in mind when it comes to civil law and civil | | | | are protected in this regard. |
| procedure is something known amongst lawyers | | | | There are exceptions to the general laws |
| as the "statute of limitations." In simple terms the | | | | governing time frames in which cases are filed. |
| statute of limitations refers to the deadline by | | | | For example, if a person is injured as a minor |
| which a lawsuit must be filed. For example, if a | | | | child, in most states he or she has a certain |
| person is involved in an accident, that individual | | | | period of time after he or she turns 18 to file a |
| must file suit for injuries or damages sustained as | | | | lawsuit. But, again, the laws do vary from state |
| a result of that accident with a period of time set | | | | to state. |