Statute of Limitations for Assault and Battery (intentional tort) in Rhode Island

Worked example

For a US-RI Assault and Battery (intentional tort) limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 10 years. The authority packet cites R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) (http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1/9-1-13.HTM).

Example inputs:

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

Calculation:

• Start with the accrual date.
• Add 10 years.
• The example deadline is 2034-04-25.

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.

Limitation period

Rhode Island’s general statute of limitations period relevant here is 1 year under General Laws § 12-12-17.

Worked example

For a US-RI Assault and Battery (intentional tort) limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 10 years. The authority packet cites R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) (http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1/9-1-13.HTM).

Example inputs:

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

Calculation:

• Start with the accrual date.
• Add 10 years.
• The example deadline is 2034-04-25.

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.

Practical checklist (what to gather before calculating)

• Incident date (or best-supported accrual date)
• Any fact suggesting late accrual or delayed discovery
• Any possible basis for tolling/suspension (if applicable)
• Any relevant timing facts about notice/communications that might matter to timing arguments (not liability)

Key exceptions

Rhode Island’s general limitations period is 1 year, but limitations timelines can change through delayed accrual and tolling concepts. Since this brief is focused on the general rule (and no claim-type-specific assault-and-battery sub-rule was identified here), treat exceptions as a screening step rather than an automatic adjustment.

Worked example

For a US-RI Assault and Battery (intentional tort) limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 10 years. The authority packet cites R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) (http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1/9-1-13.HTM).

Example inputs:

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

Calculation:

• Start with the accrual date.
• Add 10 years.
• The example deadline is 2034-04-25.

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.

What we are (and are not) assuming here

• Baseline rule assumed: 1-year general period under General Laws § 12-12-17
• Claim-type-specific sub-rule: none identified in the provided jurisdiction data for assault and battery
• Exception analysis: treated as fact-specific screening, not a guaranteed modification

Statute citation

• General Laws § 12-12-17 — 1-year general limitations period
  Source: https://codes.findlaw.com/ri/title-12-criminal-procedure/ri-gen-laws-sect-12-12-17/

How to interpret the statute for this issue

Think of the statute as providing the length of the period (1 year). Rhode Island accrual and tolling doctrine typically determines the start date and whether/when time is paused.

So the mechanics are usually:

• Length: 1 year (from § 12-12-17)
• Timing: accrual date and any tolling/delayed accrual rules that affect when the clock runs

Step-by-step deadline check

For a US-RI Assault and Battery (intentional tort) limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 10 years. The authority packet cites R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) (http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1/9-1-13.HTM).

Example inputs:

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

Calculation:

• Start with the accrual date.
• Add 10 years.
• The example deadline is 2034-04-25.

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.

What inputs you’ll typically enter

• Jurisdiction: Rhode Island (US-RI)
• Rule set / claim type selection: assault and battery (intentional tort) using the general/default 1-year period, since no claim-type-specific sub-rule was identified in the provided jurisdiction data
• Accrual date: the date you believe the claim accrued (often the incident date unless accrual/tolling facts support a different start date)

How outputs change when inputs change

• If you move the accrual date later by 1 day, the calculated deadline generally moves later by about 1 day (because it’s effectively accrual date + 1 year).
• If a tolling or suspension period applies, the deadline can be pushed out—provided you enter the tolling inputs in a manner consistent with the tool’s tolling options.
• If delayed accrual applies, a later accrual date shifts the entire “+ 1 year” deadline.

Quick example (format only)

• Accrual date: March 1, 2025
• Baseline rule: 1 year
• Calculated deadline: March 1, 2026 (subject to any tolling/delayed accrual adjustments supported by the facts)

When to use the calculator more than once

If you’re unsure about the correct accrual date or potential tolling, run multiple scenarios using:

• the earliest plausible accrual date, and
• the later plausible accrual date supported by your facts

Then compare the deadlines to identify the most urgent filing position you should target.

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — How to choose the right calculator
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — Full how-to guide with jurisdiction-specific rules
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — How to choose the right calculator