What is the Statute of Limitations in a Civil Suit

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A "statute of limitations" in a civil suit refers to the legal time limit within which a person must file a lawsuit after an event occurs, meaning if they wait too long past this timeframe, they can no longer pursue legal action for that claim; the specific time period varies depending on the type of civil claim and the state involved. 

Key points about statute of limitations in civil suits

Purpose 

It ensures fairness by preventing stale claims where evidence may be lost or witnesses' memories may fade over time. 

Varying timeframes

Different types of civil cases, like personal injury, contract disputes, or property damage, may have different statute of limitations periods. 

Starting point

The "clock" usually starts ticking on the date the alleged incident occurred. 

Impact of missing deadline

If a lawsuit is filed past the statute of limitations, the defendant can typically raise a "time-barred" defense to dismiss the case. 

Example

In Texas, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is typically two years, meaning a person must file their claim within two years of the date of the injury.