The statute of limitations depends on the state and the case type. There are statutes for civil and criminal matters on the federal and state levels. The most heinous criminal offenses, such as murder, do not have a statute of limitations. Civil lawsuits are usually two to three years from the cause of action. However, the period in some states ranges from one to ten years.
There are exceptions to the regulation in most jurisdictions. Courts allow time extensions for reasons, including discovery or the plaintiff's age. The discovery rule is for parties who did not know they sustained injuries immediately. The time begins to run on the day they reasonably discover the damages. When a minor sustains injuries because of a person's negligence, the statute's clock starts to run on their 18th birthday.
The exact time limit to file a legal action depends on the state and the type of case
There are some exceptions to the statute, including lawsuits involving minors and the discovery rule
Call a personal injury lawyer to go over cases and determine deadlines and potential exceptions. Legal document management software allows attorneys to organize and locate documents within seconds.