The limitation period is one year, counting from the time when the damage results are known or should be known. If the patient dies, an appraisal application shall be submitted within one year after the death; If the damage result is found many years later, the court will not protect it if it has been found for more than 20 years, and the appraisal is of no substantive significance.
 Legal basis:
 Article 37 of the Regulations on the Handling of Medical Accidents
 If a dispute over a medical accident occurs and the party concerned applies to the administrative department of public health for settlement, it shall submit a written application. The application shall state the basic information, relevant facts, specific requests and reasons of the applicant.
 The party concerned may, within one year from the date when he knows or should know that his health has been damaged, apply to the administrative department of public health for handling the dispute over medical accidents.