Statute of Limitations in Connecticut
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Connecticut requires most personal injury claims within 2 years, but medical malpractice has a 2-year discovery rule with a 3-year absolute cap.
How Connecticut treats Statute of Limitations
Connecticut's general statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years from the date of injury. Medical malpractice claims are subject to a discovery rule: the 2-year period begins when the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should discover the negligence, but no claim can be brought more than 3 years after the act of negligence, even if discovery occurs later. Contract claims typically have a 3-year or 6-year window depending on whether the contract is written or oral.
The general definition of Statute of Limitations
A law setting the maximum time period within which a lawsuit can be filed after an injury or breach occurs.
Every type of legal claim has a deadline. Once that deadline passes, you lose the right to sue, even if you have a valid claim. The statute of limitations varies depending on the type of case—contract disputes might have a different deadline than personal injury claims, for example. These time limits exist to protect defendants from being sued years or decades after an event, when evidence may be lost and memories fade. Once the deadline expires, the claim is essentially dead, and courts will dismiss any lawsuit filed after that point.
Read the full Statute of Limitations entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Connecticut.