Clock Is Ticking: Florida Injury Claim Deadline Cut in Half
If you’ve been injured in Florida, time is not on your side. In 2025, Florida lawmakers significantly shortened the injury claim deadline through recent legal changes. What used to be a four-year window to file a personal injury lawsuit is now just two years. We highlighted this key change in our earlier post “Florida Personal Injury Laws: Key 2025 Changes Explained.” It directly impacts how quickly victims must act to preserve their legal rights.
This change stems from House Bill 837, which became law in March 2023. For injuries occurring on or after March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations for negligence-based personal injury cases is now two years—cutting the timeframe in half. If you wait too long, you may lose the chance to seek compensation, no matter how strong your case.
What the New Law Means for Florida Residents
Before this change, Florida allowed four years from the date of the incident to file most personal injury claims under Florida Statutes § 95.11. Now, for cases involving negligence—such as car accidents, slip and falls, or other common injury claims—you must file within two years if the incident occurred after March 24, 2023.
This shift brings Florida in line with many other states that already have a two-year limit. But it also adds pressure on injury victims to act fast. Delaying legal help can cause you to lose critical evidence. Even worse, you could miss the injury claim deadline entirely. According to an overview from the Florida Senate, missing the filing deadline usually bars you from recovery—regardless of fault.
Are There Any Exceptions?
In some cases, the law allows courts to pause or extend the two-year limit. These exceptions include:
- Delayed discovery: If the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, the clock might start later.
- Claims involving minors or legally incapacitated individuals: Special rules may apply.
- Government-related claims: These have separate notification requirements that are often much shorter—sometimes just 180 days.
Still, exceptions are rare and complicated. The safest course of action is to assume the two-year limit applies and speak to a Schwed Law attorney as soon as possible after an injury.
Contact Schwed, Adams & McGinley
At Schwed, Adams & McGinley, P.A., we have over 200 years of combined experience helping clients navigate personal injury claims across Florida. From auto accidents to slip and fall cases, we’re here to ensure your rights are protected—especially under the state’s new, shorter injury claim deadline. Don’t risk losing your case because time ran out. Contact Schwed, Adams & McGinley, P.A. at 877-694-6079 or email contact@schwedlawfirm.com for a free consultation today.