What is the purpose of the discovery rule in a claim process?

The discovery rule serves a critical function in the claim process by setting the statute of limitations based on when an injury is discovered. This rule is particularly important in situations where the harm caused by an event may not be immediately evident. For instance, in cases involving latent injuries or diseases—where symptoms or damages become apparent over time—the discovery rule allows the injured party to file a claim within a certain period starting from the date they became aware of the injury, rather than from the date the incident occurred.

This approach ensures that individuals are not unjustly barred from seeking compensation simply because they were unaware of their injury or its connection to the accident at an earlier time. Consequently, the implementation of the discovery rule provides a fairer opportunity for claimants to pursue justice and financial redress for their injuries.

Other options mention aspects of the claims process but do not accurately capture the specific function of the discovery rule, which is exclusively tied to the timing of when a claimant can initiate legal action based on the discovery of their injury.