What is the statute of limitations in Florida?
A statute of limitations is the legal time limit to file a lawsuit. If you miss it, the court can throw out an otherwise valid claim no matter how badly you were hurt. For most negligence-based injury claims, Florida shortened that period from four years to two years when HB 837 took effect in March 2023.
Two years sounds like plenty of time. It is not. Investigating the claim, gathering records, and trying to settle before filing all take time, and a lawyer needs runway to do that work well.
When is the timeline different?
Several situations change the clock. Claims against a city, county, or state agency require an early written notice and follow their own shorter timelines. Wrongful-death claims, medical-malpractice claims, and claims involving a minor each have their own rules. Because the exceptions are technical, do not assume the standard two years applies to your situation.
There are also rules that can pause or extend the clock in narrow circumstances, but you should never plan around them without legal advice.
Why waiting quietly hurts your claim
Apart from the time limit, delay erodes evidence and leverage. Witnesses move, footage is deleted, and an insurer who senses a cutoff approaching has little reason to negotiate. Filing or settling well before the cutoff keeps you in control of the timeline rather than the insurer.
Common questions
What happens if I wait too long to file in Florida?
If you file after the statute of limitations passes, the defendant can ask the court to dismiss the case, and it usually will — ending the claim regardless of its merits. That is why confirming your timeline early matters.
Does the two-year period apply to every Florida injury case?
No. The general two-year period applies to most negligence claims after HB 837, but claims against government entities, wrongful-death claims, and certain others follow different rules. Have your specific situation confirmed.