If someone has violated your legal rights and caused you to suffer a loss, you may be able to start a lawsuit against them. However, you must start your lawsuit within a certain period. The type of claim you are bringing will determine the time period which applies. Before you spend the time and money to start a lawsuit you will need to know what the time limit is for your type of claim. Time limits on how long you can wait before making most claims can be found in the Ontario Limitations Act. Starting a lawsuit can be difficult. For help, ask a lawyer now.

How to calculate time limits

Time limits for starting a lawsuit are usually calculated from the day that the problem took place or the day that you realized or found out about the problem.

Limitation periods for starting a lawsuit

In Ontario, for most matters, the claimant has two years to begin the lawsuit, either from the date the injury occurred or from the date notice was given (whichever is applicable). For example, if you are suing a municipality, the Provincial Crown, a physician, surgeon, architect, engineer or dentist, the limitation period is normally two years from the date you knew or ought to have known about the injury. In the case of the Provincial Crown, however, the claimant must also wait at least 60 days after giving notice before starting the lawsuit.

If you are suing for compensation as a result of an injury or loss caused by a criminal act, the limitation period is also two years, although it may be extended with a judge’s permission. If you begin your lawsuit after the limitation period has expired, you may be prevented from suing and from obtaining compensation for your injury or loss.

Shorter time limits

Certain types of legal actions have short time limits. For example, if you are bringing a lawsuit against an insurance company for refusing to pay your claim, you must start the legal action generally within one year of making your claim. If you want to take legal action against a municipality or a government agency, you may have to give them notice of your claim, for example if you fell on an icy sidewalk, or if you were injured due to a badly maintained road. These time periods can be as short as ten days, and they will affect your right to bring a lawsuit, so you should check on this aspect of your case as soon as possible.

Get help

If you are having financial difficulties and want to clear your debt and repair your credit, you can get help. For easy-to-understand debt solutions on your terms, contact our preferred experts 4Pillars and rebuild your financial future. With 60 locations across Canada, they will help you design a debt repayment plan and guide you with compassionate advice. No judgment. For help, visit 4Pillars or call toll-free 1-844-888-0442 .

If you are having legal difficulties because of a past criminal record and wish to erase your record, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

For legal advice and assistance with starting a Small Claims Court lawsuit, contact our preferred experts, Nicola (Nick) Giannantonio Legal Services or call 647-317-1908.

Starting a lawsuit can be difficult. For help, ask a lawyer now.

								
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