# Statute of Limitations

> A law setting the maximum time period after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated.

**Category:** Legal Procedure
**Canonical URL:** https://drugsmonitor.com/glossary/statute-of-limitations
**Last updated:** 2026-06-11

Statutes of limitations in drug injury cases vary by state, typically ranging from one to six years from the date of injury or discovery. The clock may start when the injury occurred, was discovered, or when a reasonable person would have discovered the connection.

Some states have special rules for medical products that extend or shorten the filing window. The discovery rule may delay the start of the limitations period if the injury was not immediately apparent.

Missing the statute of limitations is one of the most common reasons drug injury claims are dismissed. Consulting an attorney promptly after diagnosis is essential to protect your right to file.

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*Glossary entry from DrugsMonitor.com.*