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Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Electrocution and Burn Injuries

By Grant Law Office on August 24, 2025

Electrocution and burn injuries are among the most painful and traumatic injuries a person can suffer. Whether caused by faulty wiring, utility company negligence, construction site accidents, or defective products, these injuries can result in permanent disfigurement, nerve damage, and even death.

If you or a loved one has suffered such a catastrophic injury in Georgia, one of the most important legal questions is: How long do I have to file a lawsuit? The answer depends on Georgia’s statute of limitations, which is a legal deadline that could determine whether your case is even heard by a jury.

This blog will explain the Georgia electrocution injury statute of limitations, exceptions to the standard deadlines, how wrongful death cases are handled, and the steps you’ll want to take to protect your rights.

What Is a Statute of Limitations?

The statute of limitations is the legal time limit within which a victim must file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline—even by a day—your case could be dismissed, regardless of how strong your claim may be.

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the injury. That means if you were injured in an electrocution or burn accident, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to take legal action.

Primary Deadline

• Personal Injury: 2 years from the date of injury
• Wrongful Death: 2 years from the date of death (which may be different from the date of injury)

Exceptions That May Extend the Statute of Limitations

Tolling is the legal term for “pausing” or “delaying” the running of the statute of limitations. Georgia law recognizes several circumstances that may stop the clock.

Mental Incapacity

If the injured person is mentally incapacitated due to the injury (such as being in a coma or suffering cognitive impairment), the statute of limitations may be tolled until they regain the capacity to make legal decisions.

Minor Victims

If the victim is under the age of 18, the two-year period typically doesn’t begin until they reach adulthood. This is particularly important in cases involving household electrical injuries or apartment fires affecting children.

Discovery Rule (Limited Application)

While Georgia doesn’t have a broad discovery rule for personal injury cases, it may apply in rare cases where the injury or cause was not immediately apparent and could not reasonably have been discovered earlier. This may be relevant in electrocution or burn injury cases stemming from latent wiring defects or hidden product malfunctions.

Criminal Cases Involving the Same Act

If the injury resulted from a criminal act (such as arson or intentional assault) and criminal charges are filed, the civil statute of limitations may be paused for up to six years while the criminal case proceeds.

These exceptions may help extend the filing lawsuit injury Georgia deadline, but they must be handled carefully with supporting documentation. Missing a deadline could permanently bar your right to compensation.

Wrongful Death and Electrocution Cases

When an electrocution or burn injury results in death, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under Georgia law. The statute of limitations in these cases is:

• Two years from the date of death, not the date of the injury.

However, delays may occur if:

• The estate has not been formally established.
• The cause of death was initially unknown.
• A criminal case is pending against the responsible party.

This makes it especially important to contact a legal team quickly. An experienced attorney can help initiate estate proceedings and ensure that the wrongful death electrocution time limit is preserved.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

If you file your case after the applicable statute of limitations has expired, the defendant will likely file a motion to dismiss, and the jury will be required to grant it. This is true even if:

• You were seriously injured
• The defendant was clearly at fault
• Settlement discussions were underway

Building a Strong Electrocution or Burn Injury Case

Once you initiate your case within the legal time frame, the real work begins. These cases require detailed investigation, expert analysis, and thorough documentation. At Grant Law Office, we take a comprehensive approach so we can build a solid case.

Preserving Evidence

We immediately work to secure fire or electrical inspection reports, photographs, surveillance footage, and physical evidence such as damaged appliances or exposed wiring.

Identifying All Liable Parties

Depending on the facts, liability may fall on:

• Property owners (e.g., landlords, contractors)
• Employers or third-party vendors
• Utility companies
• Product manufacturers (e.g., faulty electrical devices)

Consulting Expert Witnesses

We retain fire origin and cause experts, engineers, medical specialists, and life care planners to support the claim with professional findings.

Calculating Damages

We help clients pursue full compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement or disability
• Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
• Punitive damages (in cases of extreme negligence)

We prepare each case for the possibility of trial—even when settlement is the goal—to give our clients the best possible outcome.

Why Choose Grant Law Office?

At Grant Law Office, we know how devastating electrocution and burn injuries can be. We’ve handled serious personal injury and wrongful death claims across Georgia for decades, and we’re known for our meticulous preparation, compassionate client care, and results-driven strategy.

We are a husband-and-wife legal team with over 60 years of combined experience, and we treat each case with the urgency and attention it deserves. We’re not a high-volume firm. So when you call us, you speak to an attorney who understands the medical, emotional, and financial stakes of your case.

If you’re worried about missing the personal injury deadline in Georgia, or if you’re unsure whether you have a case, don’t wait. A simple conversation with a credible law firm could mean the difference between recovering compensation and losing your right to legal action forever.

Speak With Our Experienced Atlanta Electrocution or Burn Injury Attorneys

Time is not on your side after an electrocution or burn injury. Delays can put your health, your finances, and your legal rights at risk.

Call Grant Law Office at (404) 995-3955 to schedule your free consultation today with one of our Atlanta personal injury lawyers. We’ll walk you through your options, help you meet every deadline, and seek the compensation you deserve.