slnlaw
  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Guide To Employment Law Content
    • Employment Contracts in Massachusetts
    • Discrimination in the Workplace
    • Employment Termination >
      • Massachusetts Paid Family Leave
      • Severance Pay
      • Unemployment in Massachusetts
    • Sexual Harassment at Work >
      • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
      • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
      • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
    • Wage and Hour Laws
    • Independent Contractor Law
    • Non Compete Agreements >
      • Are non competes enforceable
      • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
      • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
  • Estate Planning
    • Guide To Estate Planning Content
    • Legacy Protection
    • Why You Need an Estate Plan
    • Why You Don't Have an Estate Plan
    • Estate Planning Documents >
      • Children with Special Needs
    • Planning for Assisted Living
    • Probate Process
  • Business Law
    • Guide To Business Law Content
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • About
    • Reviews
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • slnlaw core values
    • Publications and Interviews
    • New Client Intake and Consultation
    • Contact
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Sharleen Tinnin
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs
  • Blog

Guide to Massachusetts Statutes of Limitation

If you are thinking about bringing a legal claim, or worried about someone bringing a claim against you, it is important to know when the clock starts running on those claims for statute of limitations purposes, and how long that time period is for different kinds of claims.

Statute of Limitations: When Does the Clock Start?

For most types of civil claims, the clock begins running on the limitations period when the person with the claim knew or should have know they have suffered damages as a result of the defendant's conduct.  This is called the "discovery rule."

In most employment cases, the harm is discovered immediately.  For example, in a wrongful termination case, the employee knows they were terminated as soon as it happens.  

You also do not need to know that you have a legal claim in order for the time to start running- you just need to know that the harm occurred.  For example, you may not be aware that you should have been paid overtime, but you would know that you were not receiving premium pay.  This means you can't wait until you "discover" that you should have been paid differently for the time to begin.

In contract cases, the discovery rule generally does not apply, unless the breach was not possible to ascertain.  This means that in most cases, the 6 year statute begins to run on breach, regardless of when you discover it.   

Need Help With a Civil Lawsuit?

Call (781) 784-2322
OR
Schedule a Free Information Call
How can I protect confidential information in my business?

Massachusetts Statutes of Limitations for Civil Cases

300 Days
2 Years
3 Years
4 Years
6 Years
20 Years
Discrimination (filed in MCAD or EEOC)

Claims Under Federal FMLA

Claims Under Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave Act (“PFMLA”)

Consumer Protection and Unfair Competition Claims Under Chapter 93A

Contract Claims (Written or Oral)

Claims Based on Documents Signed Under Seal (Contracts or Trusts)

Retaliation Based on Discrimination (filed in MCAD or EEOC)

​
Other Retaliation Claims

Workers Compensation Claims

Promissory Estoppel Claims

Claims to Recover Land
Sexual Harassment (filed in MCAD or EEOC)

​
Wage and Hour Claims

​
​
​
​
​
Fraud or Misrepresentation Claims

​
​
​
​
​
Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims

​
​
​

Sharon MA

46 South Main Street
​Sharon MA 02067

(781) 784-2322
Serving Eastern and Central Massachusetts
Greater Boston Referral Resources
slnlaw solutions
Refer a Friend
slnlaw publications and interviews
​slnlaw privacy policy
Chester MA
26B Main Street
Chester MA 01011
(413) 667-2322
Serving Western Massachusetts
Western MA Referral Resources

Copyright 2022, slnlaw
  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Guide To Employment Law Content
    • Employment Contracts in Massachusetts
    • Discrimination in the Workplace
    • Employment Termination >
      • Massachusetts Paid Family Leave
      • Severance Pay
      • Unemployment in Massachusetts
    • Sexual Harassment at Work >
      • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
      • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
      • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
    • Wage and Hour Laws
    • Independent Contractor Law
    • Non Compete Agreements >
      • Are non competes enforceable
      • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
      • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
  • Estate Planning
    • Guide To Estate Planning Content
    • Legacy Protection
    • Why You Need an Estate Plan
    • Why You Don't Have an Estate Plan
    • Estate Planning Documents >
      • Children with Special Needs
    • Planning for Assisted Living
    • Probate Process
  • Business Law
    • Guide To Business Law Content
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • About
    • Reviews
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • slnlaw core values
    • Publications and Interviews
    • New Client Intake and Consultation
    • Contact
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Sharleen Tinnin
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs
  • Blog