Do not ever take a statue of limitations determination for granted prior to a full evaluation of a claim. Very often, issues, which appear to be beyond the statue of limitations, are not. Conversely, many claims which seem to enjoy significant additional time before the state of limitations will expire do not in actuality. An exhaustive analysis at the outset of a case to determine this otherwise seemingly simple issue can prove invaluable.

You can read more practice tips in my chapter Screening the Nursing Malpractice Case, in a text edited by Patricia Iyer, RN MSN LNCC. More information about Nursing Malpractice, Third Edition, 2007 may be found at here.