Statute of Limitations in New Jersey
State-specific overview · Contract Law
New Jersey allows two years for personal injury and medical malpractice claims, with discovery rules extending some deadlines.
How New Jersey treats Statute of Limitations
New Jersey Statutes § 2A:14-2 sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions and medical malpractice. The discovery rule may extend the deadline if the injury was not reasonably discoverable within the two-year window. Contract actions have a six-year limit under NJSA § 2A:14-1. Assault and battery claims follow the two-year personal injury timeline. Claims against the state require notice within 90 days of injury and have a one-year filing deadline.
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 New Jersey.