South Carolina Statute of Limitations

Wrongful Death

A cause of action for wrongful death accrues on the date of death and must be filed within three years of that date.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within three years when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a person file a medical malpractice action more than six years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred. In the case of minors under 18, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice action cannot be tolled more than seven years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred, nor can it be tolled more than one year after the minor turns 18.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on the Insertion of a Foreign Object

These actions must be filed within two years after the foreign object is, or should have been, discovered. In no event shall the limitations period be less than three years after placement of the object into the plaintiff's body.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice or wrongful death, minors have one year from the date of their 18th birthday to file suit.

Workers' Compensation

A workers' compensation action must be filed within two years from the date of injury. You must also notify your employer within 90 days from the date of injury.

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Note: Our attorneys are licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia. This information is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, although if you are injured in an accident, we have relationships with other personal injury attorneys and lawyers throughout the United States.