Time Limits for Personal Injury Claims in the UK: The 3-Year Rule Explained

Quick Answer: In many personal injury claims in England and Wales, the usual limitation period is three years. The period generally runs from the date the cause of action accrued or, where applicable, the claimant's date of knowledge. However, special rules can apply to children, people lacking capacity, injuries discovered later, fatal accidents and certain exceptional claims. A court may also have a discretion to disapply the ordinary three-year period in appropriate cases.

If you have suffered a personal injury, there are two questions that should be considered separately.

Do I have a valid claim?

and:

Am I still within the legal time limit for bringing it?

A claim can potentially have strong evidence and a substantial value but still encounter a limitation problem if the required proceedings are not started in time.

This is why limitation is not simply an administrative technicality.

It can determine whether a court is able to hear a claim at all.

For many personal injury claims in England and Wales, the starting point is a three-year limitation period under the Limitation Act 1980. HM Courts & Tribunals Service currently identifies three years as the usual time limit for personal injury cases brought in the King’s Bench Division. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/kings-bench-division-bring-a-case-to-the-court?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

But “three years from the accident” is an oversimplification.

The legally relevant date can depend on the type of claim and the facts.

This article explains how the limitation period works, when the clock starts, what happens when an injury is discovered later, how the rules apply to children and people lacking capacity, and what may happen if a claim is brought late.

Legal disclaimer: This article provides general educational information only. It is not legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Limitation rules vary according to the type of claim, jurisdiction and individual circumstances. If a limitation deadline may be approaching, obtain appropriate legal advice urgently.

Key Takeaways

• Many personal injury claims in England and Wales have a three-year limitation period.
• The relevant period is generally governed by the Limitation Act 1980.
• The clock may run from the date the cause of action accrued.
• For certain claims involving delayed knowledge, the date of knowledge can become important.
• Children benefit from special limitation rules.
• People lacking capacity can also benefit from special rules.
• Some latent diseases and delayed injuries raise complicated limitation questions.
• The three-year period should not be confused with the date by which an insurer must be notified.
• Entering an online RTA claim does not necessarily amount to starting court proceedings for limitation purposes.
• A court can have discretion to disapply the normal limitation period in appropriate personal injury cases.
• Some exceptional categories have their own statutory regimes.
• As of 2026, qualifying personal injury claims relating to child sexual abuse in England and Wales are subject to a new statutory exception removing the ordinary limitation period.

What Is the Time Limit for a Personal Injury Claim in the UK?

Quick Answer: For many personal injury claims in England and Wales, the usual limitation period is three years. HM Courts & Tribunals Service identifies personal injury as ordinarily having a three-year time limit for claims brought in the King’s Bench Division. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/kings-bench-division-bring-a-case-to-the-court?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

The basic rule comes from the Limitation Act 1980.

Section 11 establishes the relevant three-year limitation period for certain actions involving damages for personal injuries.

The important point is that the three-year rule is a starting point, not an answer to every limitation question.

You need to identify:

• The type of claim.
• When the cause of action accrued.
• Whether the claimant had the relevant knowledge later.
• Whether the claimant was a child.
• Whether the claimant lacked capacity.
• Whether a special statutory regime applies.
• Whether the court has discretion concerning the limitation period.

When Does the 3-Year Personal Injury Time Limit Start?

Quick Answer: In a straightforward accident claim, the limitation period will commonly run from the date on which the cause of action accrued, which will generally correspond with the date of the accident and injury. Section 11 of the Limitation Act 1980 also contains rules concerning the claimant's date of knowledge where that is later. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/technical-guidance-for-official-receivers/37-rights-of-action?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

For example, suppose a person is injured in a road accident on 1 September 2026.

If the ordinary three-year rule applies, the claimant generally needs to ensure that the required court proceedings are commenced within the applicable limitation period.

The key point is that the deadline should be calculated from the legally relevant date, rather than simply from the date the claimant decides to pursue compensation.

Is the Deadline 3 Years From the Accident?

Quick Answer: Often, but not always.

For a straightforward road traffic accident in which the injury occurs immediately, the accident date will ordinarily be highly important to the limitation calculation.

But some injuries do not become apparent immediately.

Consider a person exposed to a harmful substance who develops an occupational disease years later.

It may be necessary to determine when the cause of action accrued and when the claimant acquired the relevant knowledge.

The Limitation Act therefore contains rules designed to deal with situations in which injury or knowledge arises later. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/technical-guidance-for-official-receivers/37-rights-of-action?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

What Is the “Date of Knowledge”?

Quick Answer: The date of knowledge is a legally significant date used in certain personal injury limitation cases where the claimant's relevant knowledge arose after the cause of action initially accrued.

This concept is particularly important in cases involving:

• Latent injuries.
• Occupational diseases.
• Delayed diagnosis.
• Symptoms whose cause was not initially known.
• Injuries that become apparent only later.

It does not mean that the limitation period automatically starts whenever a claimant personally decides that they understand their injury.

The statutory test must be applied to the circumstances.

What Does Section 14 of the Limitation Act 1980 Say?

Quick Answer: Section 14 addresses the meaning of “date of knowledge” for the purposes of certain personal injury and fatal-accident claims.

The statutory framework is concerned with matters including knowledge of the injury, the significance of the injury and relevant factual circumstances connecting the injury with the act or omission in question.

This can become particularly important where an injury or disease is discovered after the original event.

The precise application of section 14 is fact-sensitive and should not be reduced to the simple question of when a claimant first received a formal diagnosis.

What If I Did Not Know I Was Injured?

Quick Answer: A delayed awareness of injury can affect the limitation analysis in appropriate cases, but it does not automatically mean that the three-year clock starts whenever symptoms become inconvenient or whenever a claimant first seeks legal advice.

The statutory concept of knowledge must be applied to the particular circumstances.

For example, a disease may develop gradually and initially be attributed to an unrelated cause.

In such cases, establishing the relevant date can require careful examination of:

• Medical records.
• Symptoms.
• Medical advice.
• Knowledge of the likely cause.
• Knowledge of the person potentially responsible.

Do I Have 3 Years to Start a Personal Injury Claim or 3 Years to Contact a Solicitor?

Quick Answer: The legal limitation period concerns the commencement of the relevant legal proceedings, not simply the date on which you first speak to a solicitor or notify an insurer.

This distinction is critical.

Sending an email to a solicitor does not automatically stop limitation running.

Similarly, notifying an insurer does not automatically commence court proceedings.

You should therefore avoid treating the following as interchangeable:

• Reporting an accident.
• Notifying an insurer.
• Making a compensation request.
• Entering a claim on an online portal.
• Starting court proceedings.

Does an Insurance Claim Stop the Limitation Period?

Quick Answer: You should not assume that an insurance claim or correspondence with an insurer automatically stops the statutory limitation period.

Insurance negotiations can take months or even years.

The existence of ongoing negotiations does not by itself mean that the court limitation deadline has disappeared.

If the deadline is approaching, the legal position should be assessed rather than relying on the insurer's continued correspondence.

Does Making a Claim on the Official Injury Claim Portal Stop Limitation?

Quick Answer: No. For claims falling under the RTA Small Claims Protocol in England and Wales, entering a claim on the Official Injury Claim Portal does not itself count as starting court proceedings for limitation purposes.

The Protocol expressly states that court proceedings must normally be brought no later than three years from the accident and that entering the claim on the Portal does not count as starting court proceedings. ([justice.gov.uk](https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/protocol/pre-action-protocol-for-personal-injury-claims-below-the-small-claims-limit-in-road-traffic-accidents-the-rta-small-claims-protocol?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

This is an extremely important practical distinction for road traffic accident claims.

A claimant should not assume that beginning the online claims process has permanently protected the limitation position.

What Happens If the 3-Year Deadline Expires?

Quick Answer: A claim may become statute-barred, meaning that the defendant may have a limitation defence. However, some personal injury claims can proceed outside the ordinary period where a statutory exception or court discretion applies.

The expiry of three years should therefore not be treated as meaning that every conceivable claim automatically disappears in every circumstance.

But it is dangerous to assume that a court will simply extend the deadline.

Limitation should be treated as a serious legal deadline.

Can a Court Extend the 3-Year Personal Injury Deadline?

Quick Answer: In certain personal injury and fatal-accident claims, the court has discretion under section 33 of the Limitation Act 1980 to disapply the normal limitation period where the statutory requirements are satisfied.

Section 33 is not an automatic extension mechanism.

The court must consider the circumstances of the particular case.

The purpose is to allow the court, in appropriate circumstances, to balance the claimant's position against the defendant's interest in a fair trial.

What Factors Does the Court Consider Under Section 33?

Quick Answer: The court considers the circumstances relevant to whether it would be equitable to allow the claim to proceed despite expiry of the ordinary limitation period.

Relevant considerations can include:

• The length and reasons for the delay.
• The effect of the delay on the quality of evidence.
• Whether important evidence has become unavailable.
• The claimant's conduct.
• The defendant's conduct.
• The extent to which the claimant acted promptly after acquiring relevant knowledge.
• The effect of the delay on the defendant's ability to defend the claim.

The court's discretion is therefore fact-specific.

A claimant should not assume that a sympathetic explanation for delay guarantees permission to proceed.

What If I Am More Than 3 Years Late?

Quick Answer: You may still have an argument in some circumstances, but you should obtain legal advice immediately rather than assuming that the claim is either automatically alive or automatically dead.

Potential issues include:

• Whether the limitation period was calculated from the correct date.
• Whether the claimant had relevant knowledge later.
• Whether the claimant was a child.
• Whether the claimant lacked capacity.
• Whether section 33 discretion may apply.
• Whether a special statutory exception applies.

Delay should be addressed as soon as possible.

What Is the Time Limit for a Child's Personal Injury Claim?

Quick Answer: Children benefit from special limitation rules in England and Wales. Section 28 of the Limitation Act 1980 provides a specific extension mechanism for persons under a disability, including children within the statutory framework. For personal injury actions falling under section 11, the relevant extension under section 28 is three years rather than six years. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/58/pdfs/ukpga_19800058_en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

The practical effect is that the ordinary three-year period does not operate in the same way for a person who was a child when the cause of action accrued.

For example, a person injured as a child may have a period after reaching adulthood in which to commence proceedings, subject to the precise statutory rules.

Do not simply calculate three years from the accident date without checking the claimant's age and the applicable statutory provisions.

When Does the Limitation Period Start for a Child?

Quick Answer: The limitation position for a child is governed by the special statutory rules concerning disability and the ending of that disability, rather than simply applying the ordinary adult three-year rule from the accident date.

This is why the date of the child's 18th birthday can become highly significant in personal injury claims.

Parents and guardians should nevertheless avoid treating adulthood as a reason to delay indefinitely.

Evidence can deteriorate even when limitation has not yet expired.

What If the Claimant Lacks Mental Capacity?

Quick Answer: Special rules can apply where a claimant is under a statutory disability because of lack of capacity.

Section 28 of the Limitation Act 1980 contains provisions concerning limitation where a person is under a disability. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/58/pdfs/ukpga_19800058_en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

The precise application depends on the claimant's circumstances and the nature of the claim.

Capacity should therefore be assessed carefully rather than assumed from a diagnosis or disability alone.

What Is a Latent Personal Injury?

Quick Answer: A latent injury is an injury or disease whose relevant effects may not become apparent immediately after the event that caused it.

Examples can include certain:

• Occupational diseases.
• Industrial diseases.
• Asbestos-related conditions.
• Chemical exposure injuries.
• Other slowly developing conditions.

These claims can create complex limitation questions because the claimant may not initially know that they have suffered legally significant harm or what caused it.

What If a Medical Condition Appears Years After Exposure?

Quick Answer: The limitation analysis can become considerably more complicated where an illness develops long after exposure to the alleged cause.

The court may need to determine:

• When the injury occurred for limitation purposes.
• When the claimant acquired relevant knowledge.
• Whether the disease was attributable to the alleged exposure.
• Whether the claim is otherwise subject to a special statutory regime.

Government guidance recognises that personal injury limitation can involve delayed appearance of an adverse condition, including diseases such as asbestosis. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/technical-guidance-for-official-receivers/37-rights-of-action?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

What Is the Time Limit for a Fatal Accident Claim?

Quick Answer: Fatal accident claims have their own limitation provisions, including provisions under section 12 of the Limitation Act 1980. The precise deadline depends on the type of claim and relevant dates, so it should not simply be assumed that every fatal accident claim has an identical three-year period.

Relevant dates can include:

• The date of death.
• The date of the deceased person's cause of action.
• The date of knowledge of relevant facts.
• The claimant's relationship to the deceased.

Fatal accident claims should therefore be assessed separately rather than simply copied from an ordinary injury claim.

What Is the Limitation Act 1980?

Quick Answer: The Limitation Act 1980 is the principal statute governing many limitation periods for civil claims in England and Wales.

It establishes different periods for different causes of action.

For example:

Type of Claim	General Limitation Position
Many personal injury claims	3 years
Many simple contract claims	6 years
Certain claims involving deeds	12 years

These are broad statutory starting points and should not be treated as substitutes for checking the exact cause of action.

HMCTS currently identifies personal injury claims as ordinarily having a three-year time limit in the King’s Bench Division. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/kings-bench-division-bring-a-case-to-the-court?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Does the Limitation Act 1980 Apply Throughout the UK?

Quick Answer: No. The Limitation Act 1980 is the principal limitation statute for England and Wales, but Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal frameworks.

This is an important distinction for UK-focused legal content.

The UK contains three separate legal jurisdictions:

• England and Wales.
• Scotland.
• Northern Ireland.

The rules governing limitation are not identical across all three.

What Is the Personal Injury Time Limit in Scotland?

Quick Answer: Scotland operates under a different statutory framework, including the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, rather than the Limitation Act 1980.

The broad personal injury limitation period is also generally three years, but the Scottish rules governing commencement, knowledge, exceptions and judicial discretion are distinct.

Accordingly, an England-and-Wales limitation article should not be used as a substitute for Scottish legal advice.

The Scottish Law Commission has historically identified a three-year limitation framework for personal injury actions in Scotland, subject to the Scottish statutory regime and its exceptions. ([scotlawcom.gov.uk](https://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-02/cm45.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

What Is the Personal Injury Time Limit in Northern Ireland?

Quick Answer: Northern Ireland has its own limitation framework and should not automatically be analysed under the Limitation Act 1980.

Although the broad limitation period for personal injury is also generally three years, the relevant statutory provisions and procedures differ.

Anyone bringing a claim in Northern Ireland should therefore check the Northern Irish limitation regime rather than relying solely on England-and-Wales guidance.

What Is the New 2026 Exception for Child Sexual Abuse Claims?

Quick Answer: The Crime and Policing Act 2026 has introduced a major exception to the ordinary limitation regime for qualifying personal injury claims arising from child sexual abuse in England and Wales.

Section 96 of the Act inserts new sections 11ZA and 11ZB into the Limitation Act 1980.

For qualifying claims, the ordinary limitation periods in the preceding provisions of the Limitation Act do not apply. The statutory conditions include that the claim concerns personal injury, the claimant was under 18 when the cause of action accrued, and the act or omission constituted sexual abuse. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/20/pdfs/ukpga_20260020_en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

The reform applies retrospectively to qualifying actions and causes of action, subject to the statutory exceptions, including claims already settled or determined before the provision came into force. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/20/notes/division/11/index.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Section 96 was brought into force two months after Royal Assent under the Act's commencement provisions. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/20/notes/division/24/index.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

This is an important 2026 update because an article stating simply that “all personal injury claims have three years” would now be materially incomplete.

Does the 2026 Child Sexual Abuse Reform Apply to All Personal Injury Claims?

Quick Answer: No. The reform is narrowly targeted at qualifying personal injury actions attributable to child sexual abuse.

It does not abolish the ordinary limitation period for:

• Road traffic accidents.
• Workplace accidents.
• Ordinary negligence claims.
• Slip and fall accidents.
• Most medical negligence claims.

The ordinary limitation rules therefore continue to matter for the vast majority of personal injury searches.

Can a Solicitor Stop the Limitation Period?

Quick Answer: Simply instructing a solicitor does not automatically stop limitation running.

A solicitor may take procedural steps to protect the claimant's position, but those steps depend on the circumstances.

For example, in a qualifying RTA claim, the applicable protocol expressly recognises that proceedings may need to be started before the three-year period expires if the pre-action process will not be completed in time. ([justice.gov.uk](https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/protocol/pre-action-protocol-for-personal-injury-claims-below-the-small-claims-limit-in-road-traffic-accidents-the-rta-small-claims-protocol?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Can Negotiations Extend the Limitation Deadline?

Quick Answer: Negotiations do not automatically eliminate the limitation deadline.

This is one of the most dangerous assumptions a claimant can make.

An insurer might continue discussing settlement shortly before the limitation period expires.

That does not necessarily mean that the claimant can simply wait.

Where appropriate, the limitation position should be formally protected.

What Should I Do If My Personal Injury Deadline Is Approaching?

Quick Answer: Obtain legal advice immediately, identify the legally applicable limitation date and determine what procedural step is required to preserve the claim.

Do not wait until the final days if it can reasonably be avoided.

Gather:

• Accident date.
• Medical records.
• Correspondence.
• Insurance details.
• Witness information.
• Evidence of losses.
• Any previous legal correspondence.

Then determine:

1. What cause of action is being pursued?
2. When did it accrue?
3. Does a later date of knowledge apply?
4. Is the claimant a child or person lacking capacity?
5. Does a special statutory regime apply?
6. Has the deadline already expired?
7. What procedural step is necessary?

Limitation Deadline Checklist

1. Identify the accident or injury date.
2. Identify the legal cause of action.
3. Check whether section 11 applies.
4. Consider the date of knowledge.
5. Check whether the claimant was under 18.
6. Check whether the claimant lacked capacity.
7. Consider whether the injury was latent.
8. Check whether a special statutory exception applies.
9. Calculate the limitation date.
10. Do not assume insurer negotiations stop the clock.
11. Do not assume portal registration starts court proceedings.
12. Seek urgent advice if the deadline is approaching.

Common Mistakes With Personal Injury Time Limits

1. “I Have Three Years to Contact a Solicitor.”

Wrong. The limitation period concerns legal proceedings, not simply the date on which you first contact a solicitor.

2. “The Insurer Knows About My Claim, So I Am Safe.”

Not necessarily. Insurance notification and limitation are separate issues.

3. “I Started My Online Claim, So the Deadline Is Protected.”

Not necessarily. The RTA Small Claims Protocol expressly states that entering a claim on the Portal does not count as starting court proceedings. ([justice.gov.uk](https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/protocol/pre-action-protocol-for-personal-injury-claims-below-the-small-claims-limit-in-road-traffic-accidents-the-rta-small-claims-protocol?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

4. “Three Years Means Every Case.”

No. Children, lack of capacity, delayed knowledge and special statutory regimes can change the analysis.

5. “I Am Already Late, So There Is No Point Asking.”

Not necessarily. Section 33 discretion and other exceptions can sometimes become relevant.

6. “The Accident Happened Three Years Ago, So My Case Is Automatically Dead.”

Again, not necessarily. The legally relevant date and applicable exception must first be determined.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to make a personal injury claim in the UK?

In many personal injury claims in England and Wales, the usual limitation period is three years. However, exceptions and special rules can affect the calculation.

Does the 3-year personal injury limit start from the accident?

Often, but not always. The legally relevant date can depend on when the cause of action accrued and, in appropriate cases, when the claimant acquired the relevant knowledge.

Can I claim personal injury compensation after 3 years?

Possibly. Some claims are subject to special rules and section 33 of the Limitation Act 1980 can give the court discretion to disapply the ordinary limitation period in appropriate cases.

What happens if my personal injury claim is out of time?

A limitation defence may prevent the claim from proceeding, but the effect depends on the applicable statutory rules, the reasons for delay and whether an exception or judicial discretion applies.

Do children have longer to claim compensation?

Children are subject to special limitation rules under the Limitation Act 1980. The precise period depends on the statutory circumstances and should not simply be calculated using the ordinary adult three-year rule.

Does an insurance claim stop the limitation period?

You should not assume that notifying an insurer or negotiating settlement stops the statutory limitation period.

Does the Official Injury Claim Portal stop the 3-year period?

No. For claims under the RTA Small Claims Protocol, entering the claim on the Portal does not count as starting court proceedings. ([justice.gov.uk](https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/protocol/pre-action-protocol-for-personal-injury-claims-below-the-small-claims-limit-in-road-traffic-accidents-the-rta-small-claims-protocol?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Does Scotland have the same personal injury limitation rules?

No. Scotland has a separate legal system and its own statutory limitation framework.

Does the 2026 law remove all personal injury limitation periods?

No. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 creates a specific exception for qualifying personal injury claims arising from child sexual abuse. The ordinary limitation framework continues to apply to most personal injury claims. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/20/notes/division/11/index.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

What This Means for You

Limitation is one of the first issues that should be checked after a personal injury.

Do not begin with:

“How much compensation can I get?”

Begin with:

“When does my limitation period expire?”

Once that question is answered, the claim can be assessed properly.

For many claims in England and Wales, the starting point is three years.

But the three-year rule has important qualifications.

The date of knowledge may matter.

Childhood may matter.

Capacity may matter.

Latent injury may matter.

Special legislation may matter.

And, in appropriate cases, judicial discretion may matter.

Conclusion

The three-year personal injury rule is one of the most important deadlines in English and Welsh personal injury law.

But it is also one of the most commonly misunderstood.

The correct question is not simply:

“Did my accident happen more than three years ago?”

The correct questions are:

• What is the cause of action?
• When did it accrue?
• Does the date of knowledge matter?
• Was the claimant a child?
• Did the claimant lack capacity?
• Is there a special statutory regime?
• Has the limitation period expired?
• Could section 33 apply?

For ordinary personal injury claims in England and Wales, the three-year period remains the central rule. HMCTS confirms the three-year period for personal injury claims in the King’s Bench Division, while the Limitation Act 1980 provides the statutory framework. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/kings-bench-division-bring-a-case-to-the-court?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

For qualifying road traffic claims under the RTA Small Claims Protocol, the position is particularly clear: court proceedings must normally be brought within three years of the accident, and entering the claim on the Portal does not itself constitute the commencement of court proceedings. ([justice.gov.uk](https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/protocol/pre-action-protocol-for-personal-injury-claims-below-the-small-claims-limit-in-road-traffic-accidents-the-rta-small-claims-protocol?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

However, the law also recognises that not every claimant is in the same position.

Children and people under a statutory disability can be subject to special rules. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/58/pdfs/ukpga_19800058_en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Latent injuries and diseases can raise difficult questions concerning the date of knowledge.

And the law changed materially in 2026 for qualifying personal injury claims arising from child sexual abuse. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 removes the ordinary limitation period for those qualifying claims in England and Wales, subject to the statutory conditions and protections concerning fair hearings. ([legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2026/20/pdfs/ukpga_20260020_en.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

That exception illustrates an important principle:

Never assume that a limitation rule applies without checking the type of claim and the applicable jurisdiction.

Finally, do not wait until the last few days of a limitation period before taking action.

Evidence can disappear.

Witnesses can become unavailable.

Medical evidence can become more difficult to obtain.

And procedural steps can take time.

The safest approach is to identify the limitation date early and take appropriate steps well before it expires.

Three years is the starting point for many claims — not a substitute for a proper limitation analysis.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Limitation rules depend on the cause of action, jurisdiction and facts. A person who believes that a limitation deadline may have expired or is approaching should obtain appropriate legal advice without delay.