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Every civil cause of action triggers a statute of limitations, proscribed by the individual state. This statute of limitations is a specific time period within which a plaintiff must file his or her claim. Generally speaking, the statute of limitations time period is governed by the discovery rule—that is, the time begins when a plaintiff discovers—or should have discovered—the injury in question. The rules differ from state to state, with some states specifying that the time period begins on the actual date of the injury. Other states allow claims which are triggered at the point the plaintiff actually discovers (or should have discovered) the injury. Some states have implemented “statutes of repose,” which are often confused with the statutes of limitations. The statute of repose is triggered by a specified event and can run and expire regardless of whether an injury has occurred or has been discovered. The statute of repose can bar a cause of action which is not brought within a specified length of time following the occurrence of a defined “event.” This “event” could be the date an alleged defective product was manufactured, sold, purchased or delivered.

The statute of repose could bar even the most diligent consumer from filing suit regarding an alleged defective product and understanding what triggers a given statutory time limit is crucial in establishing the viability of a potential lawsuit. The following state-by-state Stryker hip statute of limitations can help establish the viability of your Stryker hip lawsuit, however it is important that you contact a Stryker hip lawyer as soon as possible to help you determine the status of your Stryker hip lawsuit, particularly in light of the July, 2012 Stryker hip recall.

In the state of Alabama, a product liability case civil cause of action must be filed within one year from the time the plaintiff’s injury is, or should have been discovered.

The state of Alaska, like the majority of states, allows a civil cause of action to be brought within two years from the time the plaintiff’s injury is, or should have been discovered.

Arizona also allows two years for a civil cause of action to be brought from the time the injury is discovered, or should have been discovered and has also enacted a twelve-year statute of repose which runs from the time the product is first sold, however this statute of repose does not apply to breach of warranty or negligence civil actions.

The Arkansas statute of limitations allows three years from the time the injury is discovered or should have been discovered for a civil cause of action to be filed.

California is one of the many states with a two-year statute of limitations which applies from the time the injury is, or should have been discovered.

In the state of Colorado, a civil cause of action for product liability cases—such as a Stryker hip lawsuit—must be brought within two years of the time the injury is discovered, or should have been discovered.

Connecticut allows three years from the time the injury is discovered or should have been discovered as well as a ten-year statute of repose which begins at the time the manufacturer or seller “parts” with the product.

The state of Delaware requires that action be brought within two years of the time the injury is discovered, or should have been discovered.

The District of Columbia allows three years from the time the injury is discovered or should have been discovered for a civil cause of action to be filed.

In the state of Florida, any civil cause of action for a products liability case, such as a Stryker hip lawsuit, is governed by 2011 Florida Statutes, Title VIII, Chapter 95, Section 11, (3) (o), which indicates that these actions must be filed within four years of the time the injury is discovered or should have been discovered. Florida has also enacted a twelve-year statute of repose, which is subject to certain exceptions. Under the statute, all products have an expected useful life of ten years other than those set out in the statutes such as commercial aircrafts and trains with an expected useful life of twenty years or more.

The state of Georgia has a ten-year statute of repose, also subject to certain exceptions, and a two-year period in which a civil cause of action can be brought—from the time the injury is discovered, or should have been discovered.

Hawaii operates under the “standard” two-year statute which begins when the injury is first discovered—or should have been discovered.

In the state of Idaho, a civil cause of action must be filed within two years from the time the plaintiff’s injury was discovered or should have been discovered.

Illinois has a two-year statute, however the statute begins to run on the date the injury occurs. The state also has a twelve-year statute of repose which begins upon the sale of the product and a ten-year statute of repose which begins once the product is delivered to the first owner.

Indiana, like Illinois, has a two-year statute of limitations which begins to run on the date of the injury, and a ten-year statute of repose which has certain exceptions.

Iowa operates under a two-year statute which begins on the date the injury occurred.

Kansas statutes of limitations allow two years from the date the injury occurred.

The state of Kentucky allows only one year from the date the injury occurred in which to file a civil cause of action for a product liability case with the caveat that should injury, death or property damage not occur within a period of eight years of the product’s use, then a presumption exists that there is not defect in the product.

Louisiana offers only one year from the date the injury occurs, however minors are exempted from this statute of limitations.

The state of Maine allows six years from the date the injury occurred to file a product liability case.

In the state of Maryland, action must be brought within three years of the date the injury occurred.

In the state of Massachusetts, a civil cause of action for a product liability case must be filed within three years of the date injury occurred.

A Michigan civil cause of action for a product liability case must be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred. Should a product have been in use for longer than ten years, liability in a Michigan suit cannot be based on strict liability.

In the state of Minnesota action must be brought within four years of the date the injury occurred.

Mississippi has a two-year statute of limitations for product liability cases which begins on the date the injury occurred.

Missouri operates under a five-year statute of limitations for product liability cases—such as a Stryker hip lawsuit—and begins that statute on the date the injury occurred.

In the state of Montana, civil action must be brought within a three-year period, beginning on the date the injury occurred.

Nebraska operates under a four-year statute, beginning on the date the injury occurs, and has a ten-year statute of repose which begins on the date the product is first sold.

The state of Nevada requires action to be brought within four years of the time the injury first occurred.

New Hampshire allows three years from the date the injury occurs—except where a legal duty has been imposed by the government, in which case the action must be brought within six years. New Hampshire also has a twelve-year statute of repose beginning on the date the product is manufactured and sold.

In the state of New Jersey, action must be brought within two years of the date the injury occurred.

New Mexico’s statute of limitations allows three years from the date the injury occurred in which to file a civil suit.

In New York, action must be brought within three years of the date the injury occurred.

North Carolina allows six years from the date of the initial purchase of the product in which to file civil action.

North Dakota allows ten years from the date of the initial purchase of eleven years from the date of manufacture in which to file a civil action.

In the state of Ohio, any civil cause of action for a products liability case must be filed within two years from the date the injury occurred.

Oklahoma has a two-year statute of limitations from the date the injury first occurred.

The state of Oregon allows two years from the date the injury occurs in which to file a product liability case, and currently has an eight-year statute of repose.

Pennsylvania allows a product liability case to be brought within two years of the date the injury occurred.

In Rhode Island, civil action must be brought within three years of the date the injury occurred.

In South Carolina, plaintiffs are allowed three years from the date the injury occurred in which to file a civil cause of action for a product liability case.

South Dakota allows three years from the date the injury occurs as well as a six-year statute of repose which runs after purchase of the product.

In Tennessee, action must be brought within four years of the date the injury occurred. The state also has a statute of repose which runs six years following an injury and ten years following the purchase of the product.

In the state of Texas, any civil cause of action for a product liability case must be filed within two years from the time the plaintiff’s injury occurs.

Utah allows two years from the date the injury occurs in which to bring a civil cause of action.

The state of Vermont allows consumers three years from the date their injury occurs to file a lawsuit.

Virginia requires action to be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

In the state of Washington, action must be brought within two years of the date of the injury, along with a twelve-year statute of repose.

West Virginia allows two years from the date the injury occurs.

In the state of Wisconsin, actions must be brought within three years of the date the injury occurred.

The state of Wyoming requires civil action for a product liability case to be brought within four years of the date the injury occurred

While there are limits to the amount of time you have in which to file a Stryker hip lawsuit, it is extremely important that you place your case in the hands of a knowledgeable Stryker hip lawyer who will work diligently to ensure all deadlines for your case are met in a timely manner. If you feel Stryker hip statutes of limitations have already run on your potential case, don’t give up hope.

As you can see from the above list, the statutes of limitations vary considerably from state to state, although most states—including Texas—do operate under a two-year statute. It can be difficult for the layperson to determine exactly when the Stryker hip statute of limitations began. Did the statute begin to run at the time of the Stryker hip recall, at the time the first symptom appeared, or when the patient became fully aware that their injuries were directly related to their Stryker hip implant? Only a highly experienced Stryker hip lawyer can analyze all the facts surrounding your specific case and determine when the statute began.