In Alberta there is a strict deadline to bring an injury claim. Miss it and even the strongest case can be worth nothing. Understanding the clock is the first step to protecting the full value of your claim.
The general rule: two years
Under Alberta's Limitations Act, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to start a court action for a personal injury. After that, the at-fault party can have your claim dismissed, no matter how badly you were hurt.
Important exceptions
- Children: the two-year clock generally does not start until the injured person turns 18.
- Injuries that surface later: the deadline can run from when you knew, or ought to have known, the injury was serious and connected to the accident.
- Accident benefits (Section B): these carry their own, much shorter notice and application deadlines, often days or weeks.
Why waiting hurts your payout, not just your deadline
Even inside the two years, delay weakens a claim: memories fade, witnesses move, vehicles get repaired, and treatment gaps appear. The sooner evidence is locked down, the stronger the case for maximum recovery.
Don't guess, ask
Because the exceptions are technical, the safest move is to have a lawyer confirm your deadline early. We review your timeline for free and make sure nothing is left on the table.