The statute of limitations in Massachusetts is generally three years from the date the individual becomes aware (or should have become aware) of the alleged act of malpractice. The statute has been modified so that there is an absolute limit of seven years in which a plaintiff may bring suit for occurrences after November 1, 1986. The seven-year time limit begins on the date of the event on which the claim is based, with the following exceptions:
For retained foreign objects, the three-year time limit starts to run when the object is detected.
Minors between the ages of two and six (at the date of the alleged malpractice) have until their ninth birthday to bring the action. For minors under age two on the date the alleged malpractice occurred, the seven-year limit runs out before their ninth birthday.