What Purpose Does a Statute of Limitations Serve?
Those who have suffered injury or damage, and those who are owed debts, are bound by statutes of limitations. Statutes of limitations are critical aspects of local, state and federal legal systems.
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Definition
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A statute of limitations is a law which limits the time in which a person or company can bring a lawsuit against another person or company.
Case Building
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By imposing a statute of limitations, the legal system provides an incentive for the injured party to build his case against the negligent party efficiently.
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Fairness
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A statute of limitations provides an element of fairness. Without this limitation, a person could bring a lawsuit against another party decades after the injury or damage occurred.
Evidence
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Over time, the value of evidence diminishes, and in some cases, evidence is lost or destroyed. A statute of limitations requires a party to bring a lawsuit while evidence is still fresh.
Length of Limitation
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The length of statutes of limitations depends on the type and severity of the injury or damage. Limitations are typically much shorter for civil cases than criminal cases, and there is no statute of limitations for homicide.
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References
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Comments
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Richard Hastings
Dec 29, 2009
Notice limitations for civil cases involving municipalities and governmental agencies, which are another requirement can be very short. The best advice is if you think you have a case you should speak with an attorney immediately otherwise you could severely prejudice your rights. Good discussion of the issues!
