Civil Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania

A courthouse

Civil lawsuits are initiated by individuals or businesses, as opposed to criminal lawsuits, which are initiated by the state. Civil lawsuits must be brought to the court within preset time periods or the right to sue will be lost forever. Anyone wishing to file a lawsuit should consult with a lawyer immediately.

Types of Lawsuits

Civil lawsuits include a variety of claims. These claims include breaches of contracts, personal injury, claims against Pennsylvania agencies, real estate transactions and actions to enforce judgments.

Sample Time Frames

The Pennsylvania statutes provide different time frames for initiating different types of civil lawsuits. The standard time frames range from six months to 21 years or no limitation. The Pennsylvania statutes have a separate section for each time limit. Within each of these time limit sections the types of actions that must be brought are set forth. Some of these time limits require a notice, while others require a formal pleading. Other time limits may have additional requirements, such as a petition.

Exceptions

There are some factors that might alter the time requirements for bringing lawsuits. These factors include the minority (underage) status of one or more of the parties. They can also include imprisonment, insanity, war, or the absence or concealment of a party. Statutes of limitations can also depend on other actions that have been brought and on agreements between the parties.

References

• Law and Legal Research: Pennsylvania Statutes: Title 42. Section 5501: Limitation of Time
• Law and Legal Research: Pennsylvania Statutes: Title 42. Section 5521: Civil Actions and Proceedings