Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in Connecticut

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555 ✓ verified · 3 sources

Connecticut law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The controlling statute is Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555, and the clock generally starts on Date of death, but no action may be brought more than 5 years from the date of the negligent act or omission. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.

Connecticut Deadlines for Related Claims

When the Clock Starts

In Connecticut, the limitations period for wrongful death claims generally begins on Date of death, but no action may be brought more than 5 years from the date of the negligent act or omission. Connecticut does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.

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: Claims against the state require filing with the Office of the Claims Commissioner per Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4-147. No specific filing deadline is stated in the statute. Claims must include claimant identity, concise statement of basis, and amount sought (above or below $35,000).
• Damage caps: No general cap on wrongful death damages. Double or treble damages may be awarded in motor vehicle cases involving certain traffic violations.

Action brought by executor or administrator only. No time limitation applies if defendant was convicted of or found not guilty by reason of mental disease for homicide offenses related to the death (§ 52-555(b)). Survival action is separate under § 52-599. The 5-year repose from date of act is an absolute outer limit.

Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555, official Connecticut statute · verified 2026-07

What to Do Before the Deadline Runs

1. Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
2. Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
3. Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Connecticut government defendants).
4. 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Connecticut attorney.