Can I File a Claim for a Delayed Injury?

Not only may you be shocked about becoming involved in a major accident in the first place, but you may be stunned by how you were able to walk away so easily with nothing more than a couple of cuts or bruises. However, unfortunately, as more time passes by, you may notice more pressing aches and pains bubbling to the surface, so to speak. Soon, you may face the fact that you indeed got seriously hurt in the accident. Well, if this is your case, please continue reading to learn whether you are still eligible to file a claim for your delayed injury and how one of the experienced Panama City personal injury attorneys at Manuel & Thompson, PA, can help you retrieve the compensation you are entitled to before it is too late.

How do I know if my delayed injury is associated with my accident?

Because of the gap between your experiencing symptoms and your involvement in a personal injury accident, you may presume that the two are unrelated. But, at the same time, you may be unable to pinpoint exactly why you feel this pain now. Well, it is more common than you may initially think for injuries to appear days, weeks, or months after the event that caused them.

For example, the conditions for a concussion or traumatic brain injury may have a subtle onset. And even still, they may not be easily connected. That is, if you experience a headache, you may be quick to conclude that it is because you are dehydrated. Or, if you feel tired and unable to concentrate throughout the day, you may just think that you did not have a good night’s sleep.

Only when these signs persist may you seek professional medical attention. This is when a physician may break the news that you have a serious head injury that requires medical intervention, which possibly even requires a surgical procedure. If you do not recall hitting your head since your accident, you may have reason to believe that this is where it originated from.

Can I file a personal injury claim for a delayed injury?

The short answer is, yes, you may proceed with a personal injury claim for your delayed injuries. This is because even though they were slow to appear, they may be painful and cause you damage just the same. The defendant may challenge the connection between your condition and the accident, but so long as you have solid medical evidence, you may strongly counter them.

It is worth mentioning that the typical statute of limitations for personal injury claims in the state of Florida is two years from the accident date. However, say you can prove that your injuries were delayed. In this case, the Florida civil court may allow you to observe the deadline of two years from the date you reasonably discovered your injuries.

Understandably, this may all seem like a headache during this especially overwhelming time. Well, to alleviate some of the pent-up stress, please turn to the legal aid of one of the skilled Panama City personal injury attorneys. Contact our office, Manuel & Thompson, PA, right now; someone will be more than happy to speak with you.