Connecticut Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. | Last reviewed January 17, 2023
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. 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.
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, are meant to help preserve the integrity of evidence and witness testimony. Connecticut's civil statute of limitations laws provides either a two- or three-year time limit for most cases including personal injury, libel, and fraud. Some other types of cases and legal issues have longer statutes of limitations.
Statutes of limitation on civil cases are intended to create general fairness and reliability when it comes to filing lawsuits. Plaintiffs are required to decide whether to press a lawsuit or not in a timely matter. On the other hand, potential defendants should receive notice that they may have committed some harm against another party. The limitation ensures they will not have a legal matter hanging over their head indefinitely.
This article provides a brief overview of the civil statute of limitations in Connecticut.
Statutes of Limitation in Connecticut: At a Glance
Look at the following table for a complete list of time limits from Connecticut Code, Title 52. See Time Limit Considerations in Medical Malpractice Claims for additional information.
Injury to Person |
|
|---|---|
Libel/Slander |
Two years (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-597) |
Fraud |
Three years (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577) |
Injury to Personal Property |
|
Professional Malpractice |
Two years from discovery; max. of three years from wrong (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584) |
Trespass |
Three years (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577) |
Collection of Rents |
Six years (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576) |
Contracts |
|
Collection of Debt on Account |
Six years (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576) |
Judgments |
20 years (variations for small claims judgments) (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-598) |
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 Connecticut personal injury attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Related Resources for Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
Even if you may have a very good legal claim for damages, time limits are not negotiable. If you don't file your lawsuit within the required statutory limit, it may not matter. You can also visit FindLaw's section on Statute of Limitations in Civil Cases for more general information on this topic.
Filing a Lawsuit? Get Professional Legal Help
Hartford. New Haven. Stamford. It doesn't matter the city. The time limit to file a civil action in Connecticut is the same throughout the entire state. However, the civil statute of limitations does depend on the type of case involved. If you have a personal injury matter or a legal dispute, it's in your best interests to contact a Connecticut litigation attorney as soon as possible.
Was this helpful?
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.