Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Connecticut
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date the injury is first sustained, discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered; absolute 3-year repose bar from the date of the act or omission, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584.
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If you're researching personal injury lawsuits in Connecticut, the single most important number is 2 years. That's how long Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 gives you to file a personal injury lawsuit, counted from Date the injury is first sustained, discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered; absolute 3-year repose bar from the date of the act or omission. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Connecticut Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576(a) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555 |
| Dog Bite | 3 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-597 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 |
When the Clock Starts
In Connecticut, the limitations period for personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date the injury is first sustained, discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered; absolute 3-year repose bar from the date of the act or omission. Connecticut recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: The discovery rule is built into § 52-584: 2 years from when the injury is first sustained or discovered (or discoverable by reasonable care), but no more than 3 years from the date of the act or omission. The 2-year discovery period runs concurrently with the 3-year absolute repose.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: No uniform pre-suit notice requirement for all government claims; municipal notice provisions exist under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-101a and related sections
- Damage caps: No statutory cap on compensatory damages for general personal injury
Modified comparative fault — plaintiff barred if 51% or more at fault (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-572h). Note: § 52-577 provides a 3-year period for intentional torts; § 52-584 governs negligence-based PI with a 2-year period.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584, official Connecticut statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Connecticut government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Connecticut Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 2 years | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| New York | 3 yrs | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5) |
| Massachusetts | 3 yrs | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A |
| Rhode Island | 3 yrs | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Connecticut?
You have 2 years from Date the injury is first sustained, discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered; absolute 3-year repose bar from the date of the act or omission, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Connecticut?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to personal injury lawsuits in Connecticut?
Yes. The discovery rule is built into § 52-584: 2 years from when the injury is first sustained or discovered (or discoverable by reasonable care), but no more than 3 years from the date of the act or omission. The 2-year discovery period runs concurrently with the 3-year absolute repose.
What if the victim was a minor?
Connecticut generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
No uniform pre-suit notice requirement for all government claims; municipal notice provisions exist under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 7-101a and related sections
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Sources
- Official Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 — Chapter 926 Statute of Limitations (Connecticut General Assembly)
- Corroborating Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 (Justia)
- Corroborating Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 (FindLaw)
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Connecticut attorney.