We handle Polaris RZR Fire Cases Nationwide

Statute of Limitations

Statute of Limitations: Time Limits for Filing

RZR Fire Cases

Minnesota law has deadlines in place for filing a lawsuit against a company like Polaris. This statute of limitations is strict. Miss the deadline, and you could lose your right to seek compensation, no matter how strong your case. 

There are several reasons you should speak with a RZR Fire Lawyer as soon as possible after suffering an injury in a RZR fire. These range from gathering information about the scene of the accident and contacting witnesses to gathering reports from emergency responders, and walking you through concrete steps to strengthen your case.

Minnesota's Deadlines for RZR Fire Cases

The statute of limitations for RZR fire cases depends on the basis for your claim.

•..Strict Product Liability: four years from the date of the fire

•..Negligence: six years from the date of the fire

•..Wrongful Death: three years from the date of death (but no more than six years from the fire)

Note: There are exceptions for children under age 18. See below.

Product Liability (Strict Liability): 4 Years

Most RZR fire cases are filed under strict product liability law. In strict liability cases, you do not need to prove that Polaris was negligent. You only need to prove that the RZR was defective and unreasonably dangerous, and that the defect caused your injuries.

Minnesota law requires strict liability product cases to be filed within four years.

The four-year clock typically begins running on the date of the fire. For example, if you were burned in a RZR fire on June 1, 2022, you have until June 1, 2026, to file a lawsuit.

Negligence: 6 Years

If you pursue a claim based on negligence rather than strict liability, Minnesota allows six years to file. Negligence claims require proving that Polaris failed to exercise reasonable care in designing, manufacturing, or warning consumers about the RZR's fire risks.

Wrongful Death: 3 Years

If a loved one died in a RZR fire, Minnesota law allows three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, the wrongful death claim cannot be filed more than six years after the act or omission that caused the injury.

If your loved one survived the fire for a period of time before dying from burn injuries, the three-year deadline begins on the date of death, not the date of the fire. But the lawsuit must still be filed within six years of the fire.

This restriction means wrongful death cases face two deadlines: three years from death, but no more than six years from the fire.

When Does the Clock Start?

Minnesota follows the “some damage rule" rather than the discovery rule used in many other states, an important distinction that can affect your case.

Wrongful Death: 3 Years

Under Minnesota's some damage rule, the statute of limitations begins running when you first suffer harm that entitles you to a legal remedy. For RZR fire victims, this typically means the date of the fire, even if you do not yet know the full extent of your injuries.

Suppose you were burned in a RZR fire on January 15, 2023. You received emergency treatment and thought you had recovered. Two years later, you develop complications requiring reconstructive surgery. The statute of limitations still began running on January 15, 2023, the date of the fire.

The “some damage rule” is different from discovery rules in other states, where the clock might not start until you discover the full extent of harm.

Special Rules for Children

If a child is injured in a RZR fire, Minnesota law provides additional time to file a claim.

Children under age 18 have until their 19th birthday to file a lawsuit, regardless of whether the regular statute of limitations would have expired. A parent or guardian may also file on behalf of a minor before the child turns 18.

For example, a child burned in a RZR fire at age 10 has until age 19 to file, even though the standard four-year deadline for product liability cases would have expired long before.

Why the Deadline Matters

Statutes of limitations are not flexible. Courts strictly enforce these deadlines. If a lawsuit is filed even one day late, the defendant can file a motion to dismiss, and the court will grant it. Your case could be over before it begins.

You will receive no compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or any other damages. It does not matter how severe your burns are. It does not matter that Polaris knew about the defect. If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to file a lawsuit.

Many burn victims delay consulting an attorney because they are focused on medical treatment and recovery. This reaction is understandable. But waiting too long can cost you your legal rights.

Evidence degrades over time. Witnesses' memories fade. Documents are lost or destroyed. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to build a strong case.

More importantly, you risk missing the statute of limitations entirely. Once the deadline passes, there is very little recourse to pursue a claim.

How Long Does It Take to Prepare a Case?

Filing a product liability lawsuit requires thorough preparation. Your attorney will need to:

•..Investigate the fire and gather evidence

•..Obtain medical records documenting your injuries

•..Consult with expert witnesses on defect analysis

•..Review Polaris's recall history and internal documents

•..Draft and file a complaint that meets legal requirements

•..Serve the complaint on Polaris and other defendants

This process can take months and delay the ultimate resolution of your case.

Act Now, Not Later

If you or a loved one were injured in a Polaris RZR fire, do not hesitate to consult an attorney.

Our legal team has extensive experience with RZR fire cases. We understand the technical details of these defects, the recall history, and the litigation strategies that work. We also understand the urgency of statutes of limitations.