Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Connecticut
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of injury or date plaintiff first discovers the injury, whichever is earlier; absolute outer limit of 3 years from the act or omission, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584.
Advertisement
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584, you have 2 years from Date of injury or date plaintiff first discovers the injury, whichever is earlier; absolute outer limit of 3 years from the act or omission to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Connecticut. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Connecticut-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Connecticut Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Slip and Fall | 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 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Dog Bite | 3 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
| 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 slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date of injury or date plaintiff first discovers the injury, whichever is earlier; absolute outer limit of 3 years from the act or omission. Connecticut recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: 2-year period runs from date of injury or discovery; absolute 3-year repose period runs from the act or omission regardless of discovery.
Advertisement
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: 90-day notice of injury required for defective highway/sidewalk claims (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 13a-149); 6-month notice for claims against municipality based on employee negligence (§ 7-465)
Connecticut imposes a 90-day notice requirement for falls on public sidewalks and highways under § 13a-149, which is strictly enforced. Standard slip and fall on private property uses the 2-year discovery SOL with a 3-year outer repose limit.
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 | M.G.L. c. 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 slip and fall lawsuit in Connecticut?
You have 2 years from Date of injury or date plaintiff first discovers the injury, whichever is earlier; absolute outer limit of 3 years from 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 slip and fall injury claims in Connecticut?
Yes. 2-year period runs from date of injury or discovery; absolute 3-year repose period runs from the act or omission regardless of discovery.
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?
90-day notice of injury required for defective highway/sidewalk claims (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 13a-149); 6-month notice for claims against municipality based on employee negligence (§ 7-465)
Advertisement
Sources
- Official Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 — Connecticut General Assembly
- Corroborating Connecticut Personal Injury Laws — Nolo
- Corroborating Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 — Justia
- 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.