When you’re injured due to someone else’s fault, your first priority is recovery. But time matters—especially in legal terms. In the Netherlands, personal injury claims are subject to limitation periods, also known as verjaringstermijnen. These deadlines determine how long you have to file a claim for compensation.
A limitation period is the legal time limit within which you must initiate a claim. If you wait too long, your right to compensation may expire—even if your case is valid. This rule exists to provide legal certainty and prevent very old claims from being brought to court.
In most personal injury cases in the Netherlands, the standard limitation period is five years. This period starts from the moment you are:
Aware of the damage;
Aware of the liable party.
In other words, the clock starts ticking when you know (or reasonably should have known) that you’ve been harmed and who is responsible.
Regardless of when you discover the damage or the responsible party, there’s an absolute limitation period of 20 years from the date the incident occurred. After that, your claim is no longer valid—under any circumstances.
If the injured party is a child under 18, the five-year period starts once they turn 18. This protects minors who are unable to act legally on their own behalf.
It is possible to interrupt the limitation period and reset the clock. This is often done by sending a formal letter to the liable party in which you assert your right to compensation. This letter must be properly documented and sent before the limitation period expires. A new five-year period then begins.
Even if you’re still recovering or negotiating with an insurance company, it’s crucial to be aware of these deadlines. Once the limitation period expires, the opposing party can simply refuse to pay—regardless of the severity of your injuries.
At Injury Lawyer Amsterdam, we specialize in helping victims understand their rights and act on time. We’ll assess your case, calculate the relevant limitation periods, and ensure no deadlines are missed. Contact us today for a free consultation—because justice shouldn’t have an expiration date.