The legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your case may be permanently barred, no matter how strong it is.

In a personal injury case:

• Time limits vary by state and by case type (car crashes, medical malpractice, claims against government agencies, etc.).

• Some states have special rules for minors or for when an injury is discovered later.

What to know:

• Do not wait until the last minute.

• Talk to an attorney as soon as possible after an injury so deadlines are not missed.