“Statutes of limitations” are laws that set time limits on how long you have to file a “civil” lawsuit, in particular a personal injury lawsuit. These laws vary from state to state, but in Illinois, these time limits begin on the actual date of your accident; in most cases. For example, if you were in a car accident on December 1st in 2012 then you would have until November 30, 2014, to file a claim in Illinois. Once the claim is filed, there is no time limit on how long you have to reach a settlement or win your lawsuit. If the statute of limitations has expired, also known as “run,” you are permanently barred from filing a claim forever.
Below are the statutes of limitations in Illinois for various civil claims and crimes. The list doesn’t cover everything. If you have a question about a potential claim, please don’t hesitate to call Attorney Robert Edens at 847-395-2200 and he will personally discuss the details of your case.
Note: You can view the complete list of Illinois’ Statute of Limitation at 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/Art. XIII. You need to scroll through the page provided to find the code sections listed below. You can also find the statute of limitations for civil claims or “causes of action” which are not listed below.
| Description | Statute |
| Personal Injury, 2 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-202 |
| Wrongful Death, 2 years | 740 Ill. Comp. Stat. 180/2 |
| Legal Malpractice, 2 or 6 years (Depending on when the victim “discovered” the malpractice) | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-214.3 |
| Product Liability, 2 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-213(d) |
| Assault and Battery, 2 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-202 |
| False Imprisonment, 2 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-202 |
| Libel, 1 year | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-201 |
| Medical Malpractice, 2 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-212 |
| Property Damage, 5 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-205 |
| Slander, 1 year | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-201 |
| Fraud, 5 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-205 |
| Contract (oral or not in writing), 5 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-205 |
| Trespass, 5 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-205 |
| Contract (in writing), 10 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-206 |
| Enforcing Court Judgments, 20 years | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-218 |
The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Law Office, have offices in Antioch, Waukegan, Grayslake, Woodstock and Barrington. We represent clients throughout the communities of Antioch, Waukegan, Grayslake, Barrington, Woodstock, Buffalo Grove, Deer Park, Gurnee, Lake Zurich, Round Lake, McHenry, Cary, Crystal Lake, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, North Chicago, Zion, Inverness, Palatine, Wauconda, Island Lake, Fox Lake, Barrington Hills, Spring Grove, Lake Bluff, Lakemoor, Long Grove, Lake Villa, Kildeer, Wadsworth, Indian Creek, Fox River Grove, Lindenhurst and other cities within Lake and McHenry Counties Illinois.
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