Frequently Asked Questions

A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time after an event within which you can start legal proceedings. Once the deadline passes, your claim is usually “time-barred” — the court will dismiss it no matter how strong it is. The clock length depends on your jurisdiction and the type of claim.

Most states “toll” (pause) the clock for plaintiffs who were under 18 at the time of the incident. Typically the limitations period does not begin until the minor turns 18. Some claim types — especially medical malpractice — impose a separate cap, so verify the rule for your specific situation.

No. Hiring an attorney does not pause the statute of limitations. Only filing your lawsuit in court stops the clock. An attorney can, however, make sure your case is filed before the deadline — which is exactly why acting early matters.

Under the discovery rule, the clock starts when you knew — or reasonably should have known — about your injury and its cause, rather than on the date the underlying event happened. It matters most for harms that surface later, such as asbestos disease or a surgical error found years afterward. Whether it applies, and how it is measured, varies by state and claim type.

Not necessarily. Exceptions such as tolling (for minors, military service, or a defendant who left the state), the discovery rule, or fraudulent concealment can extend or revive a claim that looks expired. These are fact-specific, so if your calculated deadline has passed it is worth having an attorney evaluate whether any exception applies before giving up.

No. LimitationCalc shows the standard limitations period based on your inputs. It is general information, not legal advice, and does not account for every exception. Always confirm your real deadline with a licensed attorney and the official statute before relying on it.

A statute of limitations runs from when your claim accrues (often the injury or its discovery). A statute of repose is an absolute outer deadline that runs from a fixed event — such as the date a product was sold or a building was completed — and can bar a claim even before you discover the harm. Some claim types, like medical malpractice and product liability, are subject to both.

It depends on the jurisdiction and claim type. Many states start the clock on the incident date, but apply a discovery rule for injuries that are not immediately apparent. When in doubt, this calculator lets you enter the date you discovered the harm, which is the more protective assumption to test.

They can file, but the expired limitations period is a complete defense you can raise to get the case dismissed. Be careful: in many states, making a payment or even acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the clock. Never make a payment on an old debt without understanding the consequences.

The federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) excludes periods of active-duty military service from the computation of most limitations periods. In practice, the clock pauses during service and resumes afterward. Keep documentation of your service dates.

No. LimitationCalc covers civil claims (lawsuits between people or businesses). Criminal statutes of limitations are separate, vary widely, and many serious crimes have no limitation at all. Consult a criminal defense or prosecuting authority for those.

Most courts have a rule that if a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it rolls to the next business day. This calculator does not apply that adjustment automatically, so treat the displayed date as the latest target and aim to file well before it.

Yes, the calculator is completely free with no signup. We are supported by advertising. Ads never affect the deadline information we show, and we do not currently run sponsored attorney links or take referral fees.