If you want to take legal action to claim compensation, you are best getting specialist advice in the particular type of case you wish to pursue. This must be done as soon as possible as there are strict time limits on taking legal action.
Time limits
There are different time limits within which you must begin legal action. You should get advice urgently if you want to claim compensation.
The most common claim in a personal injury case is negligence and the time limit for this is 2 years in Ireland and 3 years in Northern Ireland. This means that court proceedings must be issued within 2 or 3 years of you first being aware that you have suffered an injury.
In most other types of claims, the time limit is 6 years.
In some cases, a court may decide to extend a time limit, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Paying for legal action
Legal action for compensation can be expensive. You might be able to get help with legal costs from a solicitor or via an insurance policy – many house contents policies, car insurance or travel insurance policies have legal expenses cover attached.
Choosing an expert
If you want to take legal action you should consult a qualified professional such as a Loss Assessor or a solicitor depending on the nature of the claim. Prior to this, it is advisable for a free assessment of your claim to be undertaken.