The statute of limitations in Massachusetts is the period of time in which you may sue the party or parties that caused your personal injuries. If these stringent deadlines are missed or overlooked, your will forever be barred from bringing claims for your personal injuries. Below is a short summary – provided by statutes-of-limitations.com – of the various personal injury statutes of limitations in Massachusetts:
Negligence/Personal Injury
Statute of Limitations: 3 years with Discovery Rule
Products Liability
Statute of Limitations: 3 years with Discovery Rule
Wrongful Death
Statute of Limitations: 3 years with Discovery Rule
Medical Malpractice
Statute of Limitations: 3 years with Discovery Rule. Maximum of 7 years after injury, unless foreign object involved and then SOL runs from when object is, or should have been, discovered.
Most Intentional Torts
Statute of Limitations: 3 years
Legal, Accountant, and Dental Malpractice
Statute of Limitations: 3 years
Other SOL
3 years: Hit-and-run accidents. 6 months after plaintiff learns of identity of defendant if written notice given to police and department of motor vehicles within 30 days of accident.
Fraud
If the person liable fraudulently conceals the cause of action, the period prior to discovery of his cause of action by the plaintiff is excluded.
Discovery Rule
SOL runs from date injury is, or should have been discovered. See specific rule for medical malpractice.
Most Intentional Torts
Statute of Limitations: 3 years
Legal, Accountant, and Dental Malpractice
Statute of Limitations: 3 years
Other SOL
3 years: Hit-and-run accidents. 6 months after plaintiff learns of identity of defendant if written notice given to police and department of motor vehicles within 30 days of accident.
Fraud
If the person liable fraudulently conceals the cause of action, the period prior to discovery of his cause of action by the plaintiff is excluded.
Discovery Rule
SOL runs from date injury is, or should have been discovered. See specific rule for medical malpractice.