Tolling of statute of limitations

Definition

Tolling of statute of limitations refers to the legal practice that temporarily suspends or extends the time period within which a party can bring a lawsuit. This concept is significant because it acknowledges situations where the typical time limit for filing a claim should be paused, allowing an injured party more time to seek legal recourse under specific circumstances, such as when the injured party is unaware of their injury or is incapacitated.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tolling can occur for various reasons, such as the plaintiff being a minor or mentally incapacitated at the time of the injury.
2. The duration of tolling is usually dictated by state law and can vary widely between jurisdictions.
3. Once the tolling period ends, the plaintiff must file their claim within the remaining time allotted by the statute of limitations.
4. Some statutes explicitly outline circumstances under which tolling applies, while others rely on case law to establish these situations.
5. Failure to file a claim within the applicable statute of limitations, even after tolling, can result in dismissal of the case.

Review Questions

• What scenarios might lead to the tolling of statute of limitations, and why are they significant for plaintiffs?
  • Scenarios that can lead to tolling include cases where a plaintiff is a minor, mentally incapacitated, or if they were unaware of their injury due to fraud or concealment. These scenarios are significant because they recognize that certain individuals may not be in a position to pursue their legal rights within the standard time frame. By allowing additional time through tolling, the law aims to ensure fairness and access to justice for those who may be disadvantaged in their ability to file a lawsuit promptly.
• Discuss how equitable tolling differs from standard tolling and provide examples of when it might apply.
  • Equitable tolling differs from standard tolling in that it is applied more flexibly based on fairness and circumstances surrounding a plaintiff's ability to pursue their claim. For instance, if a plaintiff was misled about their right to sue or was facing extraordinary circumstances that prevented them from filing on time, equitable tolling may apply. An example could be a victim of medical malpractice who was not informed of their condition until years later due to a doctor's failure to disclose critical information, justifying an extension beyond the typical limitations period.
• Analyze how the discovery rule interacts with tolling and its implications for tort liability claims.
  • The discovery rule directly interacts with tolling by establishing that the statute of limitations does not begin until an injured party discovers or reasonably should have discovered their injury. This means that if an individual is unaware of harm caused by another party's actions, the clock on filing a lawsuit is effectively paused until they become aware. This has significant implications for tort liability claims, as it ensures that victims are not unfairly penalized for not knowing about their injuries and can seek justice even if substantial time has passed since the incident occurred.

Related terms

Statute of limitations: A law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated.

Equitable tolling: A doctrine that allows for the statute of limitations to be extended when the plaintiff, despite exercising reasonable diligence, is unable to discover the injury or claim.

Discovery rule: A legal principle that delays the start of the statute of limitations period until the injured party discovers or reasonably should have discovered their injury.