Time Limits for Filing Product Liability Cases

Don't Wait to File Your Claim

It is reasonable to expect that the products we buy and use will perform to our expectations and do so in a safe manner. Sometimes, however, products may have defects or other unexpected dangers that may prove harmful to the user. In these cases, the product’s manufacturer may be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur from using the product, but claims must be made in a timely manner.

If you have sustained an injury while using a product, there is a limit to the amount of time you have to file a claim. These time limits, called the “statute of limitations,” vary from state to state. The time limit usually begins when the person who was injured first discovers their injuries, but could also be as soon as when the injury was actually sustained, under what is known as the “discovery rule.”

Here in Alabama, action must be taken within two years from the discovery of the injury. Most states allow for 1-3 years, while some states, like North Dakota, allow as many as 11 years to pass from the date of manufacture. Some states also have “statutes of repose,” which bar actions that are not brought forth within a certain time period after an event has occurred.

For over 25 years, Glenda Cochran Associates, Attorneys at Law has fought on behalf of the injured, successfully recovering millions for our clients. If you think that you may have a product liability claim, beat the statute of limitations by contacting our attorneys as soon as possible!