What is the limitation period for personal injury claims?

What the Law Says

The law sets a strict time limit — known as a limitation period — for bringing personal injury claims in Ireland. Missing this deadline usually means you lose the right to sue, unless a rare exception applies.

Under the Statute of Limitations 1957, most personal injury claims must be issued in court within two years. This period starts either on the date the injury occurred or, if later, on the 'date of knowledge' — the date when the injured person first knew (or ought reasonably to have known) that the injury was significant, attributable to an act or omission, and that the defendant was identifiable.

The 'date of knowledge' rule helps protect people who couldn’t reasonably have known about their injury or its cause at the time it happened — for example, in cases of delayed diagnosis or industrial disease.

Statutory Text

An action founded on tort shall not be brought after the expiration of two years from the date on which the cause of action accrued.

— Statute of Limitations 1957, s. 11 — Actions in respect of personal injuries

What to Do

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