Short Answer

In North Carolina, most medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within three years of the health care provider’s last act or omission. If you discovered the injury later, you may have up to one year from discovery, but there is a hard four-year cutoff from the provider’s last act (the statute of repose). A narrow foreign-object exception can extend discovery time. You must also meet North Carolina’s Rule 9(j) pre-filing certification before you sue.

Understanding the Problem

You want to know how long a patient in North Carolina has to file a medical malpractice lawsuit after developing an infection. Here, the patient alleges a doctor at a medical facility did not wash hands or wear gloves before touching the patient, and a persistent infection followed. The core issue is the filing deadline for a malpractice claim in North Carolina courts.

Apply the Law

North Carolina sets two key clocks in medical malpractice cases: a statute of limitations (generally three years) and a statute of repose (generally four years from the provider’s last act or omission). A limited “discovery rule” can give up to one year from when the injury was or should have been discovered, but the four-year repose typically caps the claim. North Carolina also requires a Rule 9(j) certification—before filing, a qualified medical professional must review the care and be willing to testify that it fell below the standard of care.

Key Requirements

• Three-year limit: File within three years of the provider’s last act or omission that caused the injury.
• Discovery rule (1 year): If the injury was not reasonably apparent right away, you may have up to one year from discovery—subject to the four-year cutoff in most cases.
• Four-year repose: Regardless of discovery, most claims cannot be filed more than four years after the last act or omission.
• Foreign-object exception: If a foreign object is left in the body, a separate one-year-from-discovery period may apply.
• Rule 9(j) certification: Before filing, a qualified medical professional must review the care; you may ask the court for up to a 120-day extension to obtain this review if requested before the deadline.
• Forum: Most cases are filed in Superior Court in the county where the care occurred or where a defendant resides.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-15(c) (Medical malpractice limitations and repose) - Sets the general three-year limit, discovery rule, and four-year repose; includes a foreign-object exception.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 9(j) (Medical malpractice pleading) - Requires pre-filing expert review and allows a limited extension to obtain it.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53 (Two-year actions, including wrongful death) - Provides a two-year period for wrongful death claims, which can intersect with medical malpractice.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: The alleged last act is the doctor’s ungloved, unwashed contact at the medical facility. The infection became apparent and has persisted for about a month, so the three-year statute of limitations from the last act likely controls, and the four-year repose is not immediately at issue. Because this is a medical malpractice claim, you must obtain a Rule 9(j) certification before filing—or seek a timely 120-day extension to secure it.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: The patient (plaintiff). Where: Superior Court in the North Carolina county where the care occurred or where a defendant resides. What: Draft and file a civil Complaint with a Rule 9(j) certification and a Civil Summons (AOC-CV-100). When: File within three years of the provider’s last act and no later than four years after that act; if you need time to complete Rule 9(j), request up to a 120-day extension before the deadline.
2. After filing, have the Summons and Complaint served on each defendant. Service and scheduling vary by county; expect the defense to challenge Rule 9(j) compliance early.
3. Exchange records, conduct depositions, and proceed through mediation. The case resolves by settlement, dismissal, or trial with a judgment entered by the Superior Court.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Foreign-object cases may allow a separate one-year-from-discovery filing window.
• Internal hospital or patient-relations complaints do not pause the legal deadlines.
• Missing the Rule 9(j) certification (or the extension request) can lead to dismissal even if you filed on time.
• Identifying the correct legal entities (hospital system, practice group, staffing company) is critical; misnaming can cause delays.
• Claims involving minors or individuals with certain disabilities can have limited tolling rules; these are fact-specific and should be evaluated early.
• If the provider is a government-owned facility, different procedures and forums may apply; deadlines can differ.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with a post-treatment infection and need to understand North Carolina’s deadlines and Rule 9(j) requirements, our firm can help you map the timeline and protect your rights. Contact us today to discuss your options.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.