Maryland Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. | Last reviewed December 21, 2022
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You got rear-ended on Route 175 over a year ago, and your neck is still sore. And it turns out the repair shop didn't replace the bumper properly. Do you have a case for damages against the other driver or the auto shop? And even if you do, is there a deadline for filing your claim in court? This article is a quick introduction to civil statutes of limitation in Maryland.
Civil Statutes of Limitation
Every state has statutes of limitations that set a timeline for filing lawsuits and other civil actions. Maryland's statute of limitations laws ranges from one to twelve years, depending on the type of case. The proverbial "statutory clock" starts ticking on either the date of the incident or the discovery of the harm.
Statutes of Limitation in Maryland
The below chart highlights the civil statutes of limitations in Maryland.
Injury to Person |
|
|---|---|
Libel/Slander |
1 yr. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-105 |
Fraud |
3 yr. general limit Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101 |
Injury to Personal Property |
3 yrs. generally Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101 |
Professional Malpractice |
Medical: 5 yrs. from injury or 3 yrs. from discovery, whichever is shorter (max. 7) Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-109 |
Trespass |
3 yr. general limit Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101 |
Collection of Rents |
3 yrs. general limit Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-101 |
Contracts |
Written: 3 yrs.; 12 yrs. if under seal Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§5-101; 5-102(a)(5) |
Collection of Debt on Account |
3 yrs. Cts. & Jud. Proc.§5-101 |
Judgments |
12 yrs. Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-102(a)(3) |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Statute of limitations laws create general fairness and practicability when filing lawsuits. They are the legal system's attempt to create a specific deadline for each legal conflict so each party involved can plan accordingly. The injured party has a limited time to decide whether to file a legal claim to recover damages. That means people won't have unfinished legal matters hanging over their head indefinitely.
Related Resources for Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
Being aware of the legal limits for filing lawsuits can be difficult. You can visit FindLaw's statute of limitations section for more articles and resources on this topic.
Don't Miss Your Filing Deadline: Get Help From an Attorney
You don't want to lose the chance to file your civil lawsuit simply because you missed a deadline. The statute of limitations in Maryland can differ depending on the claim involved. If you have an injury or related business matter that needs legal attention, you should contact a Maryland litigation attorney as soon as possible.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.