{"id":376120,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:33","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-04T15:01:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T20:01:47","slug":"rhode-island-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Rhode Island Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rhode Island Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, 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

\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

Every state has laws dictating how long you have to file a legal action. These laws are statutes of limitation<\/a>. These statutes limit how long you have to file a personal injury claim, car accident lawsuit, and other types of legal action.<\/p>\r\n

Rhode Island’s civil statute of limitations<\/a> requires prospective plaintiffs to file suit within a specific period of time. For instance, if you want to file a slip-and-fall claim, the Rhode Island Statute of Limitations gives you three years to do so. The same is true if you suffer a personal injury in a motor vehicle accident.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we will explain Rhode Island’s civil statute of limitations and specify the time frames for filing specific types of legal action. If you want to file that action, find a Rhode Island lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Why Do the Courts Limit How Long You Have to File Your Claim?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Legislators impose filing deadlines to ensure that juries determine liability<\/a> based on reliable evidence. It doesn’t seem fair that a person (or entity) would have to wait years to find out if someone will sue them. It also doesn’t make sense for juries to make legal findings based on stale or missing evidence.<\/p>\r\n

These time limits vary from state to state and among different types of civil actions. If you miss the statute of limitations deadline, the court will dismiss your claim.<\/p>\r\n

Even if the court clerk doesn’t notice that your claim is out of time, the defendant certainly will. The defendant will file a motion to dismiss<\/a> due to an untimely filing. The judge will have no choice but to grant their motion. Once this happens, you’ll have no chance to sue for damages due to a wrongful act or negligence.<\/p>\r\n

Are There Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The courts rarely extend the statute of limitations period. Legally, the judge must strictly apply the filing deadline.<\/p>\r\n

Rhode Island General Laws \u00a79-1-14.1, et. seq.<\/a> dictates when the courts can toll the statute of limitations. These situations include the following:<\/p>\r\n