Statute of limitations are laws that set a time limit on how long a person has to file a lawsuit or take legal action. These laws vary from state to state and are designed to ensure that legal claims are brought in a timely manner. Knowing the statute of limitations for your state is important to ensure that you don’t miss your deadline and lose your right to take legal action.
The statute of limitations for a particular legal claim depends on the type of claim and the state in which it is filed. Generally, the statute of limitations for civil claims is two to four years, although some states have longer or shorter time limits. For criminal cases, the statute of limitations is typically much shorter, ranging from one to five years.
In some cases, the statute of limitations may be “tolled,” or paused, for a certain period of time. This can happen if the person bringing the claim is a minor, is mentally incapacitated, or is in prison. In these cases, the statute of limitations may be extended until the person is no longer a minor, is mentally competent, or is released from prison.
It is important to note that the statute of limitations is not the same as the time limit for filing a claim. The statute of limitations is the time limit for bringing a claim, while the time limit for filing a claim is typically much shorter. For example, in some states, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years, but the time limit for filing a claim may be as short as 30 days.
If you believe you have a legal claim, it is important to act quickly to ensure that you don’t miss your deadline. Contact an experienced attorney to discuss your case and determine the applicable statute of limitations. An attorney can help you understand the time limits for filing a claim and ensure that you don’t miss your deadline.