"Statutes of limitations" are laws that set time limits on how long you have to file a "civil" lawsuit, like a personal injury lawsuit, or how long the state has to prosecute someone for committing a crime. These time limits usually depend on the legal claim or crime involved in the case, and they're different from state to state. For example, in some states you may have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after you were hurt in car accident, but in other states you may have two years. As a general rule:
- The time period begins to run on the date your claim arises or "accrues," like the day of the car accident, or when a crime is committed, and
- Once the statute of limitations has expired or "run," you can't file a lawsuit (or be prosecuted for a crime)
Below are the statutes of limitations in Connecticut for various civil claims and crimes. The list doesn't cover everything. Also, the laws may change at anytime, so be sure to check the current laws or "statutes" and read them carefully, or talk to an attorney if you have any questions.
Civil
Note: Most of the civil statute of limitations are in Title 52, Chapter 926 of the General Statutes of Connecticut. Also, you can scroll through the laws in this Chapter to find the statute of limitations for civil claims or "causes of action" not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Assault and Battery, 3 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
Contract (in writing), 6 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 |
Contract (oral or not in writing), 3 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-581 |
False Imprisonment, 3 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
Fraud, 3 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
Enforcing Court Judgments, 10 or 20 years (Depending on the court that entered the judgment) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-598 |
Legal Malpractice, 3 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
Libel, 2 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-597 |
Medical Malpractice, 2 or 3 years (Depending on when the injury was discovered) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
Personal Injury, 2 or 3 years (Depending on when the injury was discovered) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
Product Liability, 3 or 10 years (Depending on the product) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577a |
Property Damage, 2 or 3 years (Depending on when the damage was discovered) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
Slander, 2 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-597 |
Trespass, 3 years |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
Wrongful Death, 2 years (From the date of the victim's death) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555 |
Criminal
Note: The Connecticut criminal statutes of limitations are in Title 54, Chapter 966 of the General Statutes of Connecticut. You can scroll through the criminal laws (found in Title 53a, Chapter 952) for various crimes and then use Chapter 966 to determine which statute of limitations applies to a crime not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Arson, No time limit, or 1 or 5 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(a) and (b) |
Assault and Battery, No time limit, or 1 or 5 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(a) and (b) |
Burglary, 1 year |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(b) |
Disorderly Conduct, 1 year |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(b) |
Kidnapping, No time limit or 5 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(a) and (b) |
Manslaughter, 1 or 5 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(b) |
Murder, No time limit |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(a) |
Rape, No time limit, or 1 or 5 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(a) and (b) |
Receiving Stolen Property, 1 year |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(b) |
Robbery, 1 or 5 years (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(b) |
Theft, 1 year |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-193(b) |