{"id":372075,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/connecticut-law\/connecticut-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-02T11:03:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T16:03:39","slug":"connecticut-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/connecticut-law\/connecticut-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Connecticut Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Connecticut Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Plaintiffs have time limits for filing civil lawsuits, which differ by the type of claim in most states. These time limits, referred to as the civil statute of limitations<\/a>, are meant to help preserve the integrity of evidence and witness testimony.<\/p>\r\n

Connecticut’s civil statute of limitations laws provide either a two- or three-year time limit for most cases. These include personal injury, libel, and fraud. Some other types of cases and legal issues have longer statutes of limitations.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes of limitation on civil cases are intended to create general fairness and reliability when it comes to filing lawsuits<\/a> for both the plaintiff and the defendant. Read on for a brief overview of how Connecticut handles the statute of limitations for civil claims.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes of Limitation in Connecticut: At a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The table below provides a complete overview of time limits from Connecticut Code, Title 52. See FindLaw’s Time Limit Considerations in Medical Malpractice Claims<\/a> for additional information.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for an Injury to Person<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for Libel\/Slander<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Two years (Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 52-597<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for Fraud<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Three years (Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 52-577<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations Injury to Personal Property<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for Professional Malpractice<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Two years from discovery; max. of three years from wrong (Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 52-584<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for Trespass<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Three years (Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 52-577<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for Collection of Rents<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Six years (Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 52-576<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for Contracts<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for Collection of Debt on Account<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Six years (Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 52-576<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Connecticut Civil Statutes of Limitations for Judgments<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

20 years, with variations for small claims judgments (Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 52-598<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change at any time, usually through the enactment of newly passed legislation but sometimes through higher court decisions and other means. You may want to contact a <\/i>Connecticut personal injury attorney <\/i><\/a>or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Exceptions and Tolling<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Under Connecticut law, exceptions and tolling provisions can impact the statute of limitations for civil claims. For example, if a claim involves fraudulent concealment where the defendant deliberately hides the cause of action, the time limit for filing may be extended until the injured party discovers the fraud. Similarly, if a claimant was a minor or legally incapacitated at the date of the act, the statute of limitations may be tolled until they reach the age of majority or regain capacity.<\/p>\r\n

In cases where the original action is dismissed, Connecticut law allows for a new action to be filed within a specific period, even if the statute of limitations would otherwise bar it. These provisions ensure that claimants have a fair opportunity to pursue their legal rights, despite delays or obstacles.<\/p>\r\n

Filing a Lawsuit? Get Professional Legal Help<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Hartford. New Haven. Stamford. It doesn’t matter the city. The time limit to file a civil action is the same throughout the entire state of Connecticut. Civil statutes of limitations do depend on your cause of action, as limitation periods vary for a wrongful death claim<\/a> versus a product liability claim<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

If you have a personal injury matter or a legal dispute, it’s in your best interests to get legal advice from a Connecticut litigation attorney<\/a>. Civil lawsuits against insurance companies or manufacturers are not a good place to see if you can assume the role of a lawyer. Hiring professional help is a great idea.<\/p>\r\n

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