Statute of Limitations & Minor Children in Durham

Defining the Technicalities

The statute of limitations is a legal concept that imposes a set deadline for filing a personal injury claim in North Carolina. As a general rule, the statute of limitations for a motor vehicle accident case based on a claim of negligence is three (3) years from the date of injury.

However, this general rule of three (3) years does not apply to minor children who have been injured. At Wallace Pierce Law, our Durham lawyers are committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of the legal system. The sooner you call our team for your free consultation, the sooner we can help you determine your next steps.

Call our compassionate attorneys at (919) 887-7892, or contact us online for your free consultation in English or Spanish.

How the Law Differs for Minors

In North Carolina, a minor child is considered under a disability. As such, a minor child’s statute of limitations is not three (3) years from the date of the accident. Pursuant to N.C.G.S § 1-17(a), a minor is entitled to commence an action for their injuries and may bring his or her action within three years next after the removal of the disability, and at no time thereafter.

Generally speaking, this means that a minor child is permitted by North Carolina law to bring their claim for injuries no later than three (3) years after their 18th birthday or within three years of the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem.

It is worth noting that there are exceptions to the rule that the minor child’s negligence claim must be brought before the expiration of three (3) years from their 18th birthday. For more information, visit the North Carolina Accidents’ Statute of Limitations Calculator for Minor Children.

It is worth noting that for the purpose of this N.C.G.S § 1-17, a person is under a “disability” if the person meets one or more of the following conditions:

• The person is within the age of 18 years
• The person is insane
• The person is incompetent as defined in G.S. 35A-1101(7) or (8)

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations

Wrongful Death of a Minor

If a minor child is involved in an accident and passes away as a result of said accident, the estate of the minor child possesses the right to action on behalf of the deceased minor. As such, the statute of limitations will operate and toll against the administrator of the estate and not the deceased minor.

Therefore, it is important to understand that an estate must initiate a wrongful death lawsuit against an at-fault party for negligence resulting in the death of a minor within two years of the fatality. All wrongful death claims for negligence in North Carolina have a two-year statute of limitations, regardless of whether the decedent is a minor or over the age of 18.

However, it is essential to understand that where a minor child’s parent has passed away because of an at-fault party’s negligence action, the minor is considered a beneficiary of the claim. As such, the minor’s interests in the claim are related to or conditioned upon the claim of a third party. Where a minor is a beneficiary of a wrongful death claim, the statute of limitations runs against the administrator of the estate and not the minor beneficiary individually.

Medical Malpractice and Professional Malpractice

Please be aware that the statute of limitations for claims arising from medical malpractice and professional malpractice is considered an exception to the general rule in North Carolina.

Please review N.C G.S. 1-15(c) and § 1-17 in detail for more information related to calculating the statute of limitations for actions involving minor children arising out of the professional negligence or failure to perform a professional service.

Don’t wait to get started on your case with Wallace Pierce Law – call our Durham personal injury attorneys at (919) 887-7892 or online today.