Massachusetts · statute of limitations

Statute of limitations for slip and fall in Massachusetts

By DocketMath TeamUpdated April 23, 20264 min read
Statute of limitations for slip and fall in Massachusetts
Partially verified

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Worked example

For a US-MA this claim type limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 3 years. The authority packet cites Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section2A).

Example inputs:

  • Accrual date: 2024-04-25
  • Filing date checked: 2026-04-25

Calculation:

  • Start with the accrual date.
  • Add 3 years.
  • The example deadline is 2027-04-25.

This example is generated from the verified facts packet rather than freeform prose. Confirm tolling, discovery rules, and claim-specific exceptions before relying on the date.

Step-by-step deadline check

For a US-MA this claim type limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 3 years. The authority packet cites Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section2A).

Example inputs:

  • Accrual date: 2024-04-25
  • Filing date checked: 2026-04-25

Calculation:

  • Start with the accrual date.
  • Add 3 years.
  • The example deadline is 2027-04-25.

This example is generated from the verified facts packet rather than freeform prose. Confirm tolling, discovery rules, and claim-specific exceptions before relying on the date.

Worked example

For a US-MA this claim type limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 3 years. The authority packet cites Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section2A).

Example inputs:

  • Accrual date: 2024-04-25
  • Filing date checked: 2026-04-25

Calculation:

  • Start with the accrual date.
  • Add 3 years.
  • The example deadline is 2027-04-25.

This example is generated from the verified facts packet rather than freeform prose. Confirm tolling, discovery rules, and claim-specific exceptions before relying on the date.

Citations

The general SOL period referenced for these types of personal injury claims is:

  • Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 277, § 63 — 6-year general personal injury limitations period

Massachusetts generally uses different limitations periods depending on the cause of action. However, as stated in your brief, no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for slip-and-fall within the required source set. Therefore, the article and calculator use the general/default 6-year period anchored to ch. 277, § 63.

Worked example

For a US-MA this claim type limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 3 years. The authority packet cites Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section2A).

Example inputs:

  • Accrual date: 2024-04-25
  • Filing date checked: 2026-04-25

Calculation:

  • Start with the accrual date.
  • Add 3 years.
  • The example deadline is 2027-04-25.

This example is generated from the verified facts packet rather than freeform prose. Confirm tolling, discovery rules, and claim-specific exceptions before relying on the date.

Use the calculator

Use DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations tool here: /tools/statute-of-limitations.

Once you’re in the calculator:

  1. Select Massachusetts (US-MA) as the jurisdiction.
  2. Confirm the rule selected corresponds to the general 6-year period (based on Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 277, § 63).
  3. Enter the incident date (and, if the interface allows it, a discovery date or similar date input if you’re modeling a discovery-based start point).

Worked example

For a US-MA this claim type limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 3 years. The authority packet cites Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section2A).

Example inputs:

  • Accrual date: 2024-04-25
  • Filing date checked: 2026-04-25

Calculation:

  • Start with the accrual date.
  • Add 3 years.
  • The example deadline is 2027-04-25.

This example is generated from the verified facts packet rather than freeform prose. Confirm tolling, discovery rules, and claim-specific exceptions before relying on the date.

Inputs → outputs (quick reference)

Input you changeEffect on SOL deadline output
Earlier start dateLater baseline filing deadline
Later start dateEarlier baseline filing deadline
Switch start basis (incident date vs. discovery date)Deadline may move forward/back based on the chosen start date

Checklist before you rely on the result

Before acting on the date generated by DocketMath:

Sources and references

Start with the primary authority for Massachusetts and confirm the effective date before relying on any output. If the rule has been amended, update the inputs and rerun the calculation.

Related reading


Run the numbers for your matter against the verified rule for this jurisdiction.

See your deadline