Connecticut Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
Filing Deadlines Explained
If you have been seriously injured in Connecticut through someone else's negligence, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. Miss that deadline, and Connecticut courts will almost certainly dismiss your case — regardless of how strong it is and regardless of how badly you were hurt.
This page explains Connecticut's personal injury filing deadlines, the exceptions that can extend or shorten those deadlines, and why acting quickly is essential in every personal injury case.
Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC has been handling Connecticut personal injury cases for over 50 years. If you have been injured and are unsure whether your deadline has passed, contact us today for a free case evaluation. Do not assume you are out of time without speaking to an attorney. See our How It Works page for a full explanation of the personal injury claim process.
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:
You must file your personal injury lawsuit within 2 years from the date your injury was first sustained, discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have been discovered — but in no case later than 3 years from the date of the act or omission that caused the injury.
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.
Example: You are injured in a car accident on June 1, 2024. You suffer back pain but do not seek medical attention until August 2024, when an MRI reveals a herniated disc. Your 2-year clock starts running in August 2024 when you discovered the injury — but the 3-year outer cap means you must file no later than June 1, 2027, regardless of when you discovered the injury.
Connecticut Statutes of Limitations by Case Type
| Case Type | Deadline | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General personal injury (car accidents, slip and fall, premises liability) | 2 years from discovery | CGS § 52-584 | 3-year outer cap from date of act |
| Medical malpractice | 2 years from discovery | CGS § 52-584 | 3-year outer cap from date of malpractice |
| Wrongful death | 2 years from date of death | CGS § 52-555 | 5-year outer cap from date of act |
| Product liability | 3 years from discovery of injury | CGS § 52-577a | 10-year statute of repose from date of sale |
| Mesothelioma / asbestos disease | 3 years from date of diagnosis | CGS § 52-584 | Clock starts at diagnosis, not exposure |
| Intentional torts (battery, assault) | 3 years from date of act | CGS § 52-577 | No discovery rule |
| Claims against government entities | Special notice required | CGS § 52-557n | 6-month notice before suit; 2-year outer limit |
| FELA claims (railroad workers) | 3 years from date of injury | 45 U.S.C. § 56 | Federal law applies, not Connecticut law |
The Government Entity Exception — 90-Day Notice Requirement
If your injury was caused by a Connecticut state agency, municipality, or other government entity — including injuries on state highways, in public schools, or involving government vehicles — a special notice requirement applies. Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 13a-144, you may be required to give written notice to the government entity within 90 days of the accident before you can file a lawsuit.
This 90-day notice requirement is separate from and in addition to the general statute of limitations. Missing the notice deadline can bar your claim even if the 2-year statute of limitations has not yet expired.
Government entity claims arise more often than people realize — including bus accidents involving public transit, injuries on municipal property, accidents near government-maintained roads, and injuries caused by government employees.
See our bus accident lawyers page for more on claims involving public transit buses and transit districts.
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 at 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
Minors
If the injured person was a minor (under 18) at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be tolled — paused — until they reach the age of 18. The 2-year clock then begins running from the date of their 18th birthday. However, Connecticut courts have applied this exception inconsistently, and it is essential to consult an attorney rather than assuming this exception applies.
Mental Incapacity
If the injured person was legally incapacitated at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be tolled during the period of incapacity.
Fraudulent Concealment
If the defendant deliberately concealed their wrongdoing in a way that prevented you from discovering your injury or its cause, Connecticut courts may toll the statute of limitations for the period of concealment. This exception is narrowly applied and requires clear evidence of intentional fraudulent conduct.
Defendant Leaves Connecticut
If the defendant leaves Connecticut after the accident but before you file your lawsuit, the time they are absent from the state is not counted toward the limitations period — up to a maximum extension of 7 years.
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.
Connecticut's 2-year deadline sounds like a long time. In practice, the difference between acting immediately and waiting 18 months is often the difference between a strong case and a weak one. The evidence that wins these cases starts disappearing the day after the accident.
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 Amtrak involve federal statutes with specific notice requirements, claims against public transit districts may require 90-day notice under Connecticut law, 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 operated by CT Transit, Connecticut Transit, or another public transit operator, the 90-day government notice requirement may apply in addition to the general 2-year statute of limitations. See our bus accident lawyers page for a full explanation of Connecticut bus accident deadlines and notice requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Probably not — but you need to act immediately. Connecticut's general deadline is 2 years from the date of your injury, which means you likely have 6 months or less remaining. Contact an attorney today. Do not wait.
Contact Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC — Free Case Evaluation
If you have been injured in Connecticut and are concerned about filing deadlines, contact Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC today. Our attorneys are available 24/7 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. See our How It Works page to understand the process, or contact us directly.
Call: (860) 589-8000 — available 24/7
Email: Info@Jazlowiecki.com
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