How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Georgia?

In most Georgia personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. This is known as the statute of limitations. Missing this deadline almost always bars your claim permanently — courts will dismiss late-filed suits regardless of how serious your injuries are.

Key exceptions include:

• Claims against a government entity — you must file an ante litem notice within 12 months (county/municipal) or 6 months (state), with strict procedural requirements.
• Wrongful death claims — generally two years from the date of death, not the date of the underlying accident.
• Minors — the statute of limitations is typically tolled until the child turns 18.
• Discovery rule — for injuries not immediately apparent (e.g., latent medical conditions), the clock may begin when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury.