Licensed attorney since 2007. Licensed to practice law in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Washington D.C.
Georgia Statute of Limitations (Columbus): Injury Deadlines You Must Know
Miss a filing deadline and you can lose your claim—no matter how strong it is. Bodewell Injury Group’s Columbus team protects your rights by calculating the correct statute of limitations, preserving evidence, and filing on time.
Free Consultation — No Fee Unless We Win: 706-550-9000 · Office: 123 12th St., Columbus, GA
Statute of Limitations: Quick Reference (Georgia)
| Claim Type | Standard Deadline | Key Exceptions & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal injury (car, motorcycle, slip/fall) | 2 years from injury | General rule under Georgia law; special tolling may apply in limited situations. |
| Wrongful death | Typically 2 years | Estate-related tolling can pause time while no personal representative is in place (capped at 5 years); criminal-case tolling can pause time during prosecution (up to 6 years). |
| Property damage (vehicle, personal property) | 4 years | Applies to “injuries to personalty” (e.g., vehicle-only damage). |
| Medical malpractice | 2 years from injury | 5-year statute of repose caps claims; foreign object cases: 1 year from discovery; special rules for minors and certain incompetency situations. |
| Claims vs. City of Columbus (municipal) | Ante litem notice within 6 months | Strict notice content and deadline; recent Georgia Supreme Court decision confirms minor-tolling does not extend this municipal notice period. |
| Claims vs. Muscogee County (county) | Present claim within 12 months | Separate from 2-year lawsuit deadline; must satisfy county notice rules. |
| Claims vs. State of Georgia (GTCA) | Ante litem notice within 12 months | Notice to DOAS Risk Management; specific content and delivery method required. |
Columbus Considerations: Don’t Let Deadlines Slip
If your crash happened on I-185, J.R. Allen Pkwy (US-80), or Veterans Pkwy—or if a City or County vehicle was involved—your timeline may be shorter due to ante litem notice requirements. Talk to counsel before speaking with insurers; recorded statements will not stop the clock, and key traffic-cam video may overwrite quickly.
Tolling & Exceptions (Plain English)
- Crime-victim tolling: If your injuries arise from an alleged crime, Georgia pauses the civil deadline while the criminal case is pending—capped at 6 years.
- Unrepresented estate: When a loved one dies and no personal representative has been appointed, time on estate claims can be paused—capped at 5 years.
- Medical malpractice specifics: Most cases have a 2-year limit and a 5-year outer cap; foreign-object cases have 1 year from discovery; special rules can apply to minors and certain disabilities.
- Government claims: Short municipal/county/state notice deadlines still apply; recent case law confirms minor-tolling does not extend the 6-month municipal notice period.
Next Steps: Protect Your Deadline Today
- Call 706-550-9000 to confirm your exact deadline and preserve evidence.
- Bring the crash report, medical records, and any letters from insurers or government entities.
- We send preservation and ante litem notices where required, and we file suit on time.
Talk to a Columbus Statute-of-Limitations Lawyer Now: 706-550-9000
Meet your local team: Tyler Pritchard · Meet Our Partners
*This page is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines can change based on specific facts; consult counsel immediately.
FAQ: Georgia Statute of Limitations (Columbus)
How long do I have to file a personal-injury case in Georgia? Generally two years from the date of injury (different rules can apply in specific contexts).
Is wrongful-death also two years? Typically, yes; but estate and criminal-prosecution tolling can pause time in some situations.
What about medical malpractice? Most claims must be filed within two years; a 5-year statute of repose creates an outside cap; foreign-object cases have one year from discovery; minors and certain disabilities have special rules.
Do settlement talks stop the statute? No—assume they do not; get a firm deadline from counsel and file on time.
Are claims against the City of Columbus different? Yes. You must send a compliant ante litem notice within six months; courts strictly enforce this separate deadline.
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