{"id":374984,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:58","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-14T14:35:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T19:35:01","slug":"new-jersey-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\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

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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

All states have statutes of limitations. These laws set time limits<\/a> for plaintiffs to file civil lawsuits or for prosecutors to bring criminal charges. In civil cases, the limits ensure that injury claims get filed while evidence is still available and witness memories are fresh.<\/p>\r\n

Different causes of action have different time periods for filing. The New Jersey statute of limitations for most civil actions is six years, but personal injury lawsuits have a two-year statute of limitations. For this reason, plaintiffs should consult a personal injury attorney<\/a> as soon as possible.<\/p>\r\n

The limitations period usually begins when the plaintiff discovers the harm or injury. In some cases, such as product liability cases, the victim discovers the harm much later. For instance, exposure to a dangerous toxin may cause illness years later. In these cases, the discovery rule starts the limitations period when the plaintiff discovers the harm.<\/p>\r\n

If the plaintiff is unable to file a lawsuit because of "disability," meaning they are unable to legally file on their own behalf, the civil statute of limitations pauses or is tolled<\/a> until they can file their case (2A \u00a7 14-21<\/a>). Tolling happens when:<\/p>\r\n