How long do I have to sue?
There are many rules and procedures governing lawsuits in the Cayman Islands. One of the most important ones to take note of is limitation periods, when determining your rights and choosing whether to commence a lawsuit.
In the Cayman Islands, most limitation periods are prescribed by statute, namely, the Limitation Act (1996 Revision). If a lawsuit is started after the limitation period has expired, the Court will dismiss the lawsuit and you will not be able to recover.
As such, it is important to understand the limitation period that may apply to your claim and to be aware of precisely when the clock starts ticking on the limitation period specific to your claim. While this article gives you an overview of limitation periods in the Cayman Islands, you should always seek legal advice if you believe you may have a claim against someone, to go over the timelines that would apply to your situation.
The Basic Limitation Period
The Limitation Act provides that court proceedings must be initiated within a certain period of time. Some examples are as follows:
Tort
A tort claim is a claim for damages by the victim of a wrongful act that results in physical, emotional, psychological or financial injury or harm, against another person who can be held legally responsible for the injury caused. The word tort comes from Latin and means harm or wrong. Tort claims have a limitation period of six years from the date the damage occurred.
Personal Injury
A personal injury is a type of tort lawsuit in which the person injured has suffered harm or injury to the body, mind, or emotions because of the negligence, carelessness, or wrongful conduct of another person. A personal injury action must be commenced within three years from the date on which the injury occurred.
Simple Contract
A contract is an oral or written agreement made by two parties. A breach of contract occurs when one party ignores one or more terms in the agreement. It is advisable to have a written contract for any type of agreement or promise. The written contract should include a date and the signatures of both parties. Otherwise, one party may deny the terms so as not to have to adhere to the contract.
Examples of breaches of contract include the purchase of defective goods, retention of professional services, or disputes over construction or other contractual business ventures.
An action founded on simple contract shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued.
Summary
If you think that you may have suffered an injury, loss, or damage as a result of the acts or omissions of someone else, it is important that you understand your legal rights. This includes understanding the time limits that are imposed on your right to bring legal proceedings.
Generally speaking, you can expect to have no more than three years to start a lawsuit after you discover that you have suffered an injury, loss or damage. In addition, if you wait until the limitation period is about to expire before seeking to issue proceedings you may face issues that prevent you from successfully being able to advance your case.
To ensure that your rights are preserved, you should speak with an attorney as soon as you suffer an injury, loss or damage to obtain advice on your rights, and so that you can know the limitation period that will apply.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Recover Personal Injury Attorneys
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- The foregoing should not be considered to be legal advice and should not be relied upon. Please consult an attorney to get advice and an opinion on your unique circumstances.
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