Can I sue a doctor or hospital 25 years after an injury?
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Can I sue a doctor or hospital 25 years after an injury?
I was 4 years old when I broke my femur. I was in traction for 3 weeks they ended up making my left leg longer then my right. I was told that my right would catch up which it never did so now at the age of 29 I’m looking at a hip replacement due to the break down in the joint (due to the different leg lenths putting pressure in the socket). I only just found out about the problem with my hip is there any legal action that I can take?
Asked on October 24, 2013 under Malpractice Law, California
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
It is too late to file a lawsuit in CA because you have missed the statute of limitations.
In CA, the statute of limitations in a medical malpractice case is three years from the date of injury or one year from the date of discovery of the injury, whichever occurs first.
If you were living in another state when the medical malpractice occurred, other states may have different statutes of limitation; however, it is unlikely that you could file a lawsuit 25 years after the injury.
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