Statutes of Limitations

A statute which places a limit on the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit. The statutes are different in every state and are dependent on the type of case that will be filed. For example, the general statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit against a private party in California is currently two years. However, if the lawsuit is against a government agency, such as a transportation authority, a complaint must be filed with the local authority within six months and there may be other procedures that must be followed as well. Other types of lawsuits, such as those alleging property damage or breach of a contract, have different time limits. Statutes of limitation are very specific and important laws. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the time allowed by the statute, your case may be refused by the court or dismissed. If you fail to act within the time allowed you will lose the right to sue forever. Thus, you should never try to determine what the applicable statute of limitations is for a case on your own. If you have been injured or suffered property damage in an accident, contact a qualified California attorney immediately for assistance.