Time Limits for Medical Malpractice Claims in Nevada

December 18, 2025 Medical Malpractice

When a healthcare provider’s mistake causes you harm, the last thing on your mind is a ticking clock. But in Nevada, strict deadlines govern how long you have to take legal action—and missing these deadlines can permanently close the door on your case, no matter how serious your injuries. If you are considering a medical malpractice claim, working with an experienced Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney and knowing these time limits is essential to protecting your right to seek compensation. 

Nevada’s Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice

Nevada law sets strict time limits for filing medical malpractice claims, and these deadlines depend on when your injury occurred:

• If the medical malpractice happened on or after October 1, 2023, you generally have two years from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury to file a claim. 

• However, you must also file within three years of the date the medical provider actually caused your injury. The deadline that applies to your case is whichever arrives first.

The rules are slightly different for injuries that occurred between October 1, 2002, and October 1, 2023. During that period, the discovery window was shorter—just one year from when you knew or should have known about your injury. The three-year limit from the date of the negligent act still applies.

Exceptions That Could Affect Your Filing Window

While the statute of limitations is strict, Nevada law does recognize certain circumstances that can pause or extend your filing deadline:

• Fraudulent concealment: If a healthcare provider knowingly hides their malpractice from you, the three-year deadline pauses for as long as that concealment continues.

• Extenuating circumstances: Unusual situations can temporarily halt the clock. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nevada tolled medical malpractice filing deadlines for 30 days while the state of emergency was in effect.

• Injuries to children involving brain damage or birth defects: In these cases, the statute of limitations extends until the child reaches 10 years old.

• Injuries causing sterility in children: If a child’s injury results in sterility, the deadline to file is two years after the child discovers the injury, not from when it occurred.

What Happens If You Miss the Filing Deadline?

Missing the statute of limitations is one of the most severe mistakes that you can make in a medical malpractice case. Once the deadline passes, the court will almost certainly dismiss your claim, and no amount of evidence proving negligence will change that outcome. 

This is why working with a Nevada medical malpractice attorney early in the process is so critical. A lawyer can help you determine exactly when your deadline falls and file all of the necessary paperwork correctly and on time.

Don’t Wait—Contact a Nevada Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

When it comes to medical malpractice claims, the filing deadlines can be even trickier than they first appear. A Nevada medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate when your clock started running, how much time remains, and whether any exceptions might extend your filing deadline. If you believe you or a loved one was harmed by medical negligence, schedule a free consultation with the injury attorneys at The Janda Law Firm as soon as possible to protect your legal options.