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Glossary

Statute of Limitations

Plain-language definition

A jurisdiction-specific deadline by which a plaintiff must file suit; in mass torts, often triggered by the discovery rule.

Legal definition

A statute of limitations is a legislatively enacted time limit within which a civil action must be commenced. In product liability and toxic exposure mass torts, most jurisdictions apply a discovery rule under which the limitations period begins running when the plaintiff knew or, through reasonable diligence, should have known of both the injury and its likely causal connection to the defendant's product or conduct. Limitations periods vary by state and claim type, typically ranging from one to six years.

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