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