Kentucky Personal Injury Laws, Deadlines and Local Guides

Personal injury claims in Kentucky

This is the Kentucky hub of the Ask Legal Matters injury law guides. It summarizes the rules that apply to every injury claim in the state and links to local guides for 194 Kentucky communities, each with pages on car, truck, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, workplace injuries and workers' compensation, medical malpractice and wrongful death.

Kentucky gives injured people one year to file most personal injury lawsuits (KRS 413.140) and one year for medical malpractice. The state follows pure comparative negligence: you can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Kentucky is a no-fault auto insurance state, so PIP benefits pay first after a crash. Injury cases are tried in the Circuit Court of the county where the accident happened, and workplace injuries are handled through the Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims. Motor vehicle injury claims generally get two years from the injury or the last no-fault (PIP) payment under KRS 304.39-230.

Kentucky injury law at a glance

Personal injury deadline: one year from the injury (KRS 413.140)
Medical malpractice deadline: one year (discovery-rule exceptions)
Fault rule: pure comparative negligence
Auto insurance: No-fault (PIP pays first)
Minimum auto liability: 25/50/25
Trial court: County Circuit Court
Workers' compensation: Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims
Workers' comp claim deadline: About two years

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Kentucky injury guides by county

Every Kentucky county has its own page covering the county court, the state rules and every community in the county, large or small.

Largest communities in Kentucky

More Kentucky city guides: Elizabethtown, KY, Paducah, KY.

Kentucky claims by injury type

Read the statute of limitations overview for every state for a side-by-side comparison of filing deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Kentucky?

Generally one year from the date of injury (KRS 413.140). Medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within one year, and claims against government entities require a notice of claim much sooner. Motor vehicle injury claims generally get two years from the injury or the last no-fault (PIP) payment under KRS 304.39-230.

What happens if I was partly at fault in Kentucky?

Kentucky applies pure comparative negligence: you can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Is Kentucky a no-fault state?

Yes. Your own PIP coverage pays first after a car accident, and lawsuits against the at-fault driver are limited to serious injuries.

Where are injury lawsuits filed in Kentucky?

In the Circuit Court of the county where the accident happened or where the defendant resides. Claims against out-of-state companies may be removed to federal court.

How do I find a personal injury lawyer near me in Kentucky?

Choose your county or community below for local information, or click the free claim review button; your request may be shared with independent attorneys and legal services partners who handle inquiries in Kentucky.

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Ready to share what happened in Kentucky?

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Ask Legal Matters is a lead-generation service, not a law firm. Submitting a request does not hire an attorney. Review the contact consent and privacy policy on the form before submitting.