The following compilation of statutes of limitation for civil actions is set forth as an aid to the public and is not intended to replace the specific statutes referred to herein. The omission of any statute of limitation from this list shall in no way affect the validity of that statute. Section Civil Action Period of Limitation _________________________________________ 6-27-7 Enforcement of penalty provisions of the Rhode Island Truth-in-Lending and Retail Selling Act 1 year 6-36-23 Enforcement of Antitrust Act 4 years 6A-2-725(1) Breach of contracts for sale of goods 4 years 6A-2-725(5) Breach of warranty in products liability actions 10 years 9-1-5 Liability of landlord for tenant improvements, oral lease of more than one year 1 year after original term 9-1-13(a) All civil actions not otherwise limited 10 years 9-1-13(b) Product liability actions 10 years from purchase 9-1-14 For words spoken 1 year 9-1-14 Injuries to the person, generally 3 years 9-1-14.1 Medical, veterinarian, accounting, insurance, or real estate agent or broker malpractice 3 years 9-1-14.2 'Agent Orange' or phenoxy herbicides actions 3 years 9-1-14.3 Legal enerally 3 years 9-1-14.1 Medical, veterinarian, accounting, insurance, or real estate agent or broker malpractice 3 years 9-1-14.2 'Agent Orange' or phenoxy herbicides actions 3 years 9-1-14.3 Legal malpractice 3 years 9-1-17 Contracts or liabilities under seal; judgment; decrees 20 years 9-1-25 Suit against state, city or town or by special act 3 years 9-1-29 Against contractors, architects or engineers based on design 10 years after substantial completion 9-1-41 Loss of consortium – Loss of society and companionship 3 years 9-3-6 To enforce hospital liens 1 year from payment 9-3-11 Against insurer to enforce repairer's lien 1 year from payment to insured 9-3-14 Against insurer to enforce motor vehicle lessor's lien 1 year from payment to insured 10-6-4 For contributions from joint tortfeasors 1 year after payment by other joint tortfeasor 10-7-2 Wrongful death; loss of consortium, companionship or society in wrongful death action 3 years 10-7-7 Pain and suffering in wrongful death action 3 years 10-7.1-2 Libel of deceased person 1 year after death if libel occurred within 3 months after death 10-12-10 Jail yard bond 1 year 15-8-4 To enforce support obligations of putative eath action 3 years 10-7.1-2 Libel of deceased person 1 year after death if libel occurred within 3 months after death 10-12-10 Jail yard bond 1 year 15-8-4 To enforce support obligations of putative father 6 years 15-8-6 To determine paternity 4 years after birth 24-8-35 Damages caused by pothole in state road; $300 limit 7 days 27-5-3 Claims against insurers on fire insurance policies 24 months 27-18-3 Claims against insurers on accident and sickness insurance policies 3 years 28-5-18 Complaint by human rights commission to eliminate unlawful employment practice 1 year 28-35-57 Workers' Compensation claim 2 years 31-5.1-15 Involving the regulation of business practices among motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors and dealers 4 years 33-6-14 Against executor to recover annuity or interest given life tenant by will 1 year 33-11-50 By creditor of decedent, other than on fiduciary's bond 2 years 33-13-9 To recover legacies or to impress and preserve a lien or charge on real estate 6 years 33-13-15 Against liens by creditor with contingent claim not accruing within six (6) months of fiduciary's qualification 1 year from accrual 33-13-15 Against lien by creditor who from accident, years 33-13-15 Against liens by creditor with contingent claim not accruing within six (6) months of fiduciary's qualification 1 year from accrual 33-13-15 Against lien by creditor who from accident, mistake or other cause failed to file within six (6) months of qualification 3 years from publication 33-21.1-26 Judicial review of decision of general treasurer (or his or her failure to act) concerning unclaimed property 90 days after decision; 180 days after filing if no decision 34-4-24 Proceedings based upon right of entry for condition broken or possibility of reverter to which a fee simple or fee simple determinable in land is subject, created before May 11, 1953 No later than December 31, 1987 34-19-10 Alleging forcible entry and detainer of land 3 years 34-28-10 To enforce mechanic's lien; notice given 1 year and 120 days 34-28-10 To enforce mechanic's lien; no notice given 120 days 37-6-18 For assessment of damages in state condemnation proceedings 1 year 37-12-5 For labor, material, or equipment against contractor's bond 2 years (or longer if so provided in bond) 37-13.1-1 Against state on highway and public works contracts 1 year 37-16-17 To confirm arbitrator's award in erial, or equipment against contractor's bond 2 years (or longer if so provided in bond) 37-13.1-1 Against state on highway and public works contracts 1 year 37-16-17 To confirm arbitrator's award in public works arbitration 1 year 39-2-7 Against public utilities for violations under chapters 1 – 5 of title 39 3 years 39-12-28 By owners or holders of receipts or bills of lading against intrastate common carriers 2 years 44-5-26 For relief from local tax assessments 3 months from last day to pay without penalty 45-15-9 Against towns for injury or damage arising out of maintenance of highways, causeways or bridges 3 years (with 60 days’ notice after incident) 45-20-1 Judicial review of decision of bureau of police or fire or similar department for removing petitioner 30 days 45-29-7 For assessment of damages in housing authority condemnation proceeding; with notice 3 months 45-29-7 For assessment of damages in housing authority condemnation proceeding; no notice 1 year 45-32-34 For assessment of damages in redevelopment project condemnation proceeding; with notice 3 months 45-32-34 For assessment of damages in redevelopment project condemnation proceeding; no notice 1 year 46-5-6 sessment of damages in redevelopment project condemnation proceeding; with notice 3 months 45-32-34 For assessment of damages in redevelopment project condemnation proceeding; no notice 1 year 46-5-6 For assessment of damages in department of environmental management condem-nation proceeding; with notice 6 months 46-5-6 For assessment of damages in department of environmental management condem-nation proceeding; no notice 1 year History of Section.P.L. 1982, ch. 388, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 392, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 542, § 5.
Rhode Island Legal Code