You don’t lose your right to justice overnight, but every case has an expiration date. That timeline is set by something called the statute of limitations, the law that defines how long you have to take legal action after harm occurs.

It’s one of the most important — and least understood — parts of protecting your rights. Many people only learn about a company’s wrongdoing months or even years after it happened. Maybe a product defect surfaces later, or a hidden fee shows up long after the contract ends. How long after you learn of a company's illegal conduct do you have to take action?

This article explains what those time limits mean, why they exist, and what steps to take before the clock on your rights runs out.

What a Statute of Limitations Is

A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a claim, whether through arbitration or in court. It sets the time period you have to pursue legal remedy, depending on the state and type of case. Once the prescribed time window "closes", even a valid case may be dismissed, not for lack of merit, but because it was filed too late.

Importantly, a statute of limitations doesn’t make harm that has occurred any less real, but it does limit how long the court will agree to hear your case.

Each state sets its own rules, and different types of claims follow different clocks. For example:

• Personal injury: often 1–2 years from the date of injury

• Fraud or deception: typically 3–6 years, sometimes tied to when the misconduct was discovered

• Breach of contract: often 4–6 years

• Consumer protection or privacy violations: highly variable

Because these timelines vary by jurisdiction and the nature of the claim, it is difficult to determine which statute applies. Seeking guidance from experienced legal counsel or monitoring comparable cases can help you navigate the process effectively.

Why These Deadlines Exist

Time limits can seem frustrating at first — especially when a company’s wrongdoing stays hidden for years. But statute of limitations were created to protect consumers by ensuring cases are decided with fresh evidence and reliable facts.

Over time, evidence disappears, memories fade, and records get lost. For example, most states only require medical records to be maintained for 7 years - it would be hard to decide a personal injury case fairly with no medical records of the injury.

When the Clock Starts: Date of Harm vs. Date of Discovery

In many cases, the “timer” starts when the harm occurred — the day of the accident, charge, or purchase.

Sometimes the clock starts on the date of discovery, which is the date you knew, or had the opportunity to know, that something wasn’t right.

This “discovery rule” is especially important in consumer and fraud cases, where misconduct is often hidden until long after the fact. For example, if a company concealed extra charges or sold a defective product under false claims, you may still have time to act once you realize you were one of the consumers affected.

Circumstances That Can Pause or Extend the Deadline

Certain situations can temporarily stop or “toll” the clock. Common examples include:

• Minors or incapacitated individuals: Time may not start until they can legally act.

• Fraud or concealment: If the defendant hid their misconduct, the law may extend the window.

• Class actions: If a class action is filed, your individual claim may be preserved while the class is pending.

• Mass arbitration (What we do!): When large groups of consumers bring similar arbitration claims at once, deadlines for individual filings can sometimes pause or reset while the process is organized or consolidated.

These exceptions differ from state to state and are often applied in very specific circumstances — so they should never be taken for granted.

How to Protect Yourself

If you come to be concerned about potential wrongdoing by a large corporation, many people find it helpful to:

• Act early: Waiting to “see what happens” can mean important deadlines pass in the meantime.

• Document everything: Keep receipts, emails, and dates of events or discoveries. (Read more about what may count as evidence)

• Ask questions: A trusted legal resource or professional can help you understand what time limits may apply in your situation.

Because statutes of limitations can vary widely, timing is everything.

If you’re not sure whether you have been affected by anything that you should be monitoring, check our list of current consumer protection claims 👉🏻 app.chariotclaims.com or submit a request for claim review to support@chariotclaims.com.

Your claim could help uncover and protect others like you.