Some states place a statute of limitations of two years on most negligence actions relating to personal injuries. Medical device claims can become complicated because a person may not learn that device was defective until several years after a medical procedure. In most cases, courts will allow the limitations period to begin on the date a person knows or should have known that the device was defective, but the Supreme Court of Alabama has held that the discovery rule that tolls (postpones or delays) the limitations period applies only to claims alleging fraudulent concealment of a cause of action, and not negligence claims. Other states’ statute of limitations will vary. An experienced attorney will be aware of the applicable statute for your case.