Statute of Limitations in Florida for Property Damages

Failure to follow Florida's statue of limitation results in monetary loss.

Florida's statute of limitations law specifies the amount of time a person has to file a litigation case concerning wrongful conduct, including property damage. Generally, unless a legal exception exists, an individual loses the right to file a lawsuit once the period has expired.

Considerations

Anyone considering filing a lawsuit for property damages should consult with an attorney who has knowledge about the statutory limitation period and other aspects of filing a property damage case. Experienced legal counsel knows which laws apply to property damage cases.

Time Frame

Generally, an individual who suffers property damage because of someone's negligence must bring legal action within four years of the date the damage occurred. Some cases may experience exceptions to the four-year time line, which stop the statute of limitation from running. Exclusions to the statutes of limitation require a case-by-case examination of the circumstances.

Tolling

Circumstances may cause a delay in the running of the statutes of limitation. For example, if the person who caused the property damage files for bankruptcy protection, the bankruptcy court issues an automatic stay. This court order prevents the filing of lawsuits. The statute of limitation is "tolled" or delayed until the conclusion of the bankruptcy case.

References

• Nolo: Chart: Statutes of Limitations in All 50 States
• Expert Law: Florida Statute of Limitations for Civil and Personal Injury Actions