Connecticut Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

Connecticut's General Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

The main statute governing personal injury claims in Connecticut is Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-584. Under this statute:

This creates two separate deadlines that operate together:

• •The 2-year discovery deadline — Your lawsuit must be filed within 2 years of when you first knew or reasonably should have known about your injury. This is the most common deadline.
• •The 3-year outer cap — Regardless of when you discovered your injury, you cannot file a lawsuit more than 3 years from the date of the accident or negligent act itself. This is an absolute deadline with very limited exceptions.

Connecticut Statutes of Limitations by Case Type

Government Claims: 90-Day Notice for Road Defects

The Discovery Rule — When Does the Clock Start?

For most personal injury cases, the 2-year clock starts when you first knew — or reasonably should have known — that you had been injured and that someone else's negligence caused the injury. This is called the discovery rule.

The discovery rule matters most in cases involving:

• •Latent injuries — injuries that are not immediately apparent after an accident, such as traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, or spinal injuries that worsen over time
• •Toxic exposure — injuries from chemical exposure, environmental contamination, or asbestos where symptoms develop years or decades after exposure
• •Medical malpractice — where the harm from negligent treatment may not become apparent until long after the procedure
• •Mesothelioma — which has a latency period of 20 to 50 years from the original asbestos exposure — the 3-year clock starts when the disease is discovered (usually the date of diagnosis), not the date of exposure

However, the discovery rule has limits. Even if you did not discover your injury, the 3-year outer cap cuts off your right to sue 3 years from the date of the negligent act itself — regardless of when you learned about the injury.

Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline

Why You Should Not Wait — Evidence and Practical Considerations

The statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing — but there are practical reasons to act long before that deadline:

• •Evidence disappears quickly — surveillance footage is overwritten, physical evidence is lost, vehicles are repaired, witnesses' memories fade, and electronic data is deleted. In truck accident, bus accident, and train accident cases, critical evidence including black box data and driver logs must be preserved immediately.
• •Witnesses become harder to find — the longer you wait, the more likely it is that witnesses have moved, changed contact details, or become unavailable.
• •Medical documentation is strongest when treated promptly — gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries are not as serious as claimed.
• •Preservation letters — in complex cases involving commercial vehicles, employers, or government entities, an attorney can send legal preservation letters immediately, requiring the other side to preserve evidence. These letters are most effective when sent early.

Mass Transportation Cases — Different Rules Apply

Bus accidents, train accidents, truck accidents, and aviation accidents often involve federal law, government entities, and multiple defendants — each with their own deadlines. For example, claims against railroads can fall under federal law, claims against government-run transit can carry short written-notice deadlines, and FELA claims for railroad workers have a 3-year federal deadline. See our mass transportation practice area for more information.

Connecticut Bus Accident Deadlines

Connecticut bus accident cases are particularly time-sensitive because they often involve government transit districts. If the bus was run by a public agency or transit district, short written-notice deadlines may apply in addition to the general 2-year statute of limitations. Contact us right away. See our bus accident lawyers page for a full explanation of Connecticut bus accident deadlines and notice requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions