How Long Do I Have to File Suit?

What are statutes of limitations?

Statutes of limitations are established by law to discourage unreasonable delay in bringing civil lawsuits and criminal prosecutions by providing time limits for filing suit. Usually the time limits begin at the moment a crime was committed or the instant an injury or cause for action takes place. This means that you must file suit within the mandated time limit or your case is barred from being heard by the court.

Some common time limits for starting civil cases are: 21 years to recover real estate; 15 years to enforce written contracts; six years to enforce oral contracts; two years for actions for personal injuries or property damage; and one year for libel, slander, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, and professional malpractice. Most other types of lawsuits are subject to a four-year statute of limitation.

Statutes of limitations are complex. Always call us to determine what statute applies, and in your case, when it begins to run. There is no charge for any initial consultation.