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Connecticut Statute of Limitations

Connecticut Statutes of Limitations

NOTE: Gov. Edward Lamont has suspended all statutes of limitations for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. In addition, under Executive Order 7U, health-care professionals are immune from legal action stemming from actions taken in good faith in response to the pandemic.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in Connecticut?

The CT statute of limitations for personal injury, fraud, and other civil claims is typically either two or three years, while the criminal statutes of limitations are one year for misdemeanors and five years for most crimes that carry a potential prison term of more than a year. The most severe offenses, such as murder, have no statutes of limitations.

Statutes of Limitations in CT at a Glance

Type of Claim

Time Limit

Statute

Personal Injury

2 years

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-584

Medical Malpractice

2 years

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-584

Non-Medical Malpractice

2 years

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-584

Fraud

3 years

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-577

Product Defects

3 years

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-577a

Wrongful Death

2 years

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-555

CT Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury and Negligence Claims

The Connecticut statute of limitations for personal injury and negligence claims allows victims two years to file a legal claim.

When Does the Connecticut Statute of Limitations for Negligence or Personal Injury Start?

The clock begins to run on the Connecticut statute of limitations for personal injury on the date of the injury in most cases. However, the discovery rule may apply: If a person was not immediately aware that they were injured, the CT statute of limitations for personal injury may run from when they discovered or should have discovered that they had a cause for legal action.

Which Part of State Law Gives the Connecticut Statute of Limitations on Negligence and Personal Injury Claims?

The personal injury statute of limitations is governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-584:

“No action to recover damages for injury to the person, or to real or personal property, caused by negligence, or by reckless or wanton misconduct, or by malpractice of a physician, surgeon, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, hospital or sanatorium, shall be brought but within two years from the date when the injury is first sustained or discovered or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered, and except that no such action may be brought more than three years from the date of the act or omission complained of, except that a counterclaim may be interposed in any such action any time before the pleadings in such action are finally closed.”

Toxic Torts

2 Years

“No action to recover damages for personal injury or property damage caused by exposure to a hazardous chemical substance or mixture or hazardous pollutant released into the environment shall be brought within two years from the date when the injury or damage complained of is discovered or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered.” (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §52-577c(b))

Wrongful Death

2 Years

“In any action surviving to or brought by an executor or administrator for injuries resulting in death, whether instantaneous or otherwise, such executor or administrator may recover from the party legally at fault for such injuries just damages together with the cost of reasonably necessary medical, hospital and nursing services, and including funeral expenses, provided no action shall be brought to recover such damages and disbursements but within two years from the date of death, and except that no such action may be brought more than five years from the date of the act or omission complained of.” (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-555)

What is the Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice in CT?

In Connecticut, the medical malpractice statute of limitations allows plaintiffs two years to file a claim.

“No action to recover damages for injury to the person, or to real or personal property, caused by negligence, or by reckless or wanton misconduct, or by malpractice of a physician, surgeon, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, hospital or sanatorium, shall be brought but within two years from the date when the injury is first sustained or discovered or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered, and except that no such action may be brought more than three years from the date of the act or omission complained of, except that a counterclaim may be interposed in any such action any time before the pleadings in such action are finally closed.” (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-584)

Malpractice (Other Professions)

Claims of professional malpractice may be brought within two years of the date of the malpractice or its discovery but no more than three years from the date of the malpractice.

Product Liability

3 Years

“No product liability claim, as defined in section 52-572m, shall be brought but within three years from the date when the injury, death or property damage is first sustained or discovered or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered, except that, subject to the provisions of subsections (c), (d) and (e) of this section, no such action may be brought against any party nor may any party be impleaded pursuant to subsection (b) of this section later than ten years from the date that the party last parted with possession or control of the product.” (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-577a)

Statutes of Repose

  • Construction Defects: Seven years from the substantial completion of an improvement to real property (C.G.S.A. § 52-584a)
  • Product Defects: Ten years from the date of sale (C.G.S.A. § 52-577(a))

Fraud

3 Years

“No action founded upon a tort shall be brought but within three years from the date of the act or omission complained of.” (Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-577)

The limitations period for fraud may be tolled by fraudulent concealment: “A reasonable inference that a defendant’s acts of concealment were aimed at delaying or preventing legal action is a recognized basis upon which to toll the statute of limitations.” (Fenn v. Yale University, 283 F. Supp. 2d 615, 636-38 (D. Conn. 2003))

Municipal Liability/Sovereign Immunity

Claims against the state must be filed with the Office of the Claims Commissioner. Statutes of limitations and filing deadlines for notices of claim vary depending on the alleged offense. A notice of claim must generally be filed within a year of the incident, but the deadline is 90 days for cases involving defective roads and bridges and six months for actions against a municipality based on employee negligence. The statutes of limitations in these cases are two years. Cases involving the negligence of municipal firefighters (paid or volunteer) and volunteer ambulance workers have a one-year statute of limitations.

Comparative Negligence

Connecticut’s comparative negligence rules allow plaintiffs to recover damages if they are less than 51% liable for their own injuries. The amount awarded will be reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.

Charitable Immunity

Connecticut does not offer charitable immunity.

Legal Disabilities

Statutes of limitations may be tolled for a maximum of seven years due to the absence or concealment of the defendant. Upon the death of a plaintiff, the statute of limitations may be extended by one year if it has not already expired.

Damages

For damages of more than $200,000, parties may agree to a payment schedule or the court will order lump-sum payment.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are allowed in specified circumstances only.

No-Fault Insurance

Connecticut is not a no-fault state.

Consumer Fraud Complaints

In Connecticut, you can file a consumer fraud complaint online with the Department of Consumer Protection. You can also call (860) 713-6300 or 1-800-842-2649 for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Statute of Limitations in CT

What Is the Statute of Limitations in CT on Debt?

For medical and credit card debt, the statute of limitations is six years; for auto loan debt, it’s four years; and for state tax debt, it’s 15 years. Once the statute of limitations has expired, the debt collector can no longer sue you.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Felony in CT?

For most felonies in CT, the statute of limitations is five years. However, class A felonies such as murder or sexual assault of a child under 12 years old have no statute of limitations.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Burglary in CT?

The statute of limitations on burglary is five years.

What Is Conn. Gen. Stat. 52-577?

Connecticut General Statutes Title 52 § 52-577 is the statute of limitations relating to torts in Connecticut. It states that tort claims must be filed within three years of the date of the incident.

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Jurisdiction List

  • Alabama Statute of Limitations
  • Alaska Statute of Limitations
  • Arizona Statute of Limitations
  • Arkansas Statute of Limitations
  • California Statute of Limitations
  • Colorado Statute of Limitations
  • Connecticut Statute of Limitations
  • Delaware Statute of Limitations
  • Florida Statute of Limitations
  • Georgia Statute of Limitations
  • Hawaii Statute of Limitations
  • Idaho Statute of Limitations
  • Illinois Statute of Limitations
  • Indiana Statute of Limitations
  • Iowa Statute of Limitations
  • Kansas Statute of Limitations
  • Kentucky Statute of Limitations
  • Louisiana Statute of Limitations
  • Maine Statute of Limitations
  • Maryland Statute of Limitations
  • Massachusetts Statute of Limitations
  • Michigan Statute of Limitations
  • Minnesota Statute of Limitations
  • Mississippi Statute of Limitations
  • Missouri Statute of Limitations
  • Montana Statute of Limitations
  • Nebraska Statute of Limitations
  • Nevada Statute of Limitations
  • New Hampshire Statute of Limitations
  • New Jersey Statute of Limitations
  • New Mexico Statute of Limitations
  • New York Statute of Limitations
  • North Carolina Statute of Limitations
  • North Dakota Statute of Limitations
  • Ohio Statute of Limitations
  • Oklahoma Statute of Limitations
  • Oregon Statute of Limitations
  • Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations
  • Puerto Rico Statute of Limitations
  • Rhode Island Statute of Limitations
  • South Carolina Statute of Limitations
  • South Dakota Statute of Limitations
  • Tennessee Statute of Limitations
  • Texas Statute of Limitations
  • Utah Statute of Limitations
  • U.S. Virgin Islands Statute of Limitations
  • Vermont Statute of Limitations
  • Virginia Statute of Limitations
  • Washington Statute of Limitations
  • Washington D.C. Statute of Limitations
  • West Virginia Statute of Limitations
  • Wisconsin Statute of Limitations
  • Wyoming Statute of Limitations

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