The coronavirus pandemic has affected many people and industries throughout the United States. The court system in Arkansas has had to take measures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. However, this has also caused a delay in the adjudication of a number of cases. Fortunately, you may have some options when it comes to your case. If you or a family member require legal assistance to handle a delayed legal claim, contact an experienced Arkansas attorney for personal injury case delays. Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, understands how the coronavirus has impacted life for many people across the country, and we are here to help alleviate your concerns. Committed Fayetteville AR personal injury attorney Ken Kieklak is here to explain what to do if your case was delayed in Arkansas due to the coronavirus.
What to Do if Your Case was Delayed in Arkansas due to COVID-19
At the time of this article, the coronavirus or COVID-19 has infected over 1.4 million people within the United States. Out of that 1.4 million, there are about 240,000 confirmed recoveries and over 84,000 confirmed deaths attributed to the coronavirus or complications with the virus. Many of these deaths have occurred due to fatal coronavirus exposure at work.
With the awareness that the COVID-19 pandemic would become worse before it became better, Arkansas courts proceeded to close their doors to the public and place a hold on the adjudication of many cases. As a result, plaintiffs with pending claims or individuals that were planning to file a lawsuit have become uncertain about what to do about their legal case.
If your legal case was postponed when Arkansas courts were closed in March 2020, our firm may be able to help you with your case. Arkansas courts have stated that they had to postpone several hundred cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the use of virtual court proceedings is one option that has been utilized to decrease the case backlog and keep plaintiffs safe at the same time.
Note, however, that Arkansas courts may limit the amount and types of cases that can be adjudicated virtually. Fortunately, the courts are beginning to implement plans to reopen to the public. For example, you may be able to adjudicate your case in person if you schedule the case with the court. However, you may subject to certain COVID-19 restrictions if you attend a court case in person. Specifically, you may have to wear a mask or consent to pre-screening to determine whether you are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
Additionally, if you were the victim of a coronavirus workplace injury, our firm can help you seek compensation for your injuries. If you are considering filing a lawsuit during the pandemic, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. While many courts are still closed or under heavy restrictions, our firm can help you timely file your case with the court.
To learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting filing deadline for cases, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Arkansas case delay attorney.
Does COVID-19 Affect the Statute of Limitations for Your Case in Arkansas?
If you have a legal case that accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic or before the pandemic, it would be wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. As the pandemic could continue for an indefinite amount of time, you should not sit on your case, waiting for an opportune moment to file it. The statute of limitations is one of the primary reasons to avoid waiting to pursue your legal claim.
The statute of limitations dictates the length of time that a potential plaintiff has to file a certain type of case against another person or entity. The filing deadline for your case can vary depending on the amount of time that a person has to file a particular type of lawsuit. For example, a medical malpractice claim may have a different deadline than a case for product liability.
If a claimant does not file their lawsuit within the timeframe identified by the statute of limitations, the defendant can move for the court to dismiss the claim. If the court dismisses a legal claim for failure to adhere to the statute of limitations, the plaintiff will be unable to refile their case. As a result, they will be unable to pursue compensation for their injuries.
As the courts were forced to close for a few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are wondering whether they will be awarded more time to pursue their case in a court of law. At the moment, it is unclear whether the State of Arkansas will provide claimants more time to file their case, and it would be wise not to assume you have additional time to file. If you are concerned about the filing deadline for your case, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Experienced Arkansas Case Delay Attorneys to Discuss Your Claim
If you are concerned that your legal case was delayed due to the coronavirus, consult with an experienced Arkansas COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation lawyer today. Dedicated injury lawyer Ken Kieklak has fought for his clients for over two decades, and he is prepared to offer you the legal representation that you deserve. Our firm is here to help you handle a legal claim that may have been placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case, contact Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law, at (479) 316-0438. You can also contact the firm online.