Under the Massachusetts statute of limitations, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years, or the right to sue can disappear for good.
Disclaimer: Statute of limitations rules can vary significantly by state, jurisdiction, and the specific type of claim. The information above is general in nature. Please consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
How Does the Massachusetts Statute of Limitations Work?
That deadline is called a “statute of limitations.” Think of it as a legal expiration date. Under Massachusetts law, claims for injuries caused by someone else’s carelessness, like a car crash or a slip on an icy step, generally have to be started within three years after the claim arises. Miss it, and a court will usually toss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Disclaimer: Statute of limitations rules can vary significantly by state, jurisdiction, and the specific type of claim. The information above is general in nature. Please consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
There are exceptions. If the injured person is a child, the clock usually doesn’t start ticking until they turn 18. Courts have also said the clock can start later when someone couldn’t reasonably have known they were hurt or who caused it. And some claims, like those against a city or the state, come with their own special rules and shorter notice deadlines.
Why have a deadline at all? Memories fade, evidence gets lost, and people deserve to know when old disputes are truly over.
Because the Massachusetts statute of limitations can end a claim sooner than people expect, it pays to act early after an injury. If you were hurt in a crash, a Boston car accident lawyer can review your deadline for free.
Disclaimer: Statute of limitations rules can vary significantly by state, jurisdiction, and the specific type of claim. The information above is general in nature. Please consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Source: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 260, Section 2A and Section 7
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This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different. If you’ve been hurt in an accident, Larson Law offers free consultations: 508-888-8888.
