Statute of Limitations for Statute of Repose in Michigan

Overview

Michigan’s general default statute of limitations is 6 years, and the cited general statute is MCL § 767.24(1). Because no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found for this reference page, the 6-year period is the baseline you should use unless a more specific Michigan statute controls the claim.

A quick terminology check helps here:

• A statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing a claim after it accrues.
• A statute of repose cuts off claims after a fixed period tied to an event, even if the injury is discovered later.
• In practice, people often search for both together because the filing deadline can depend on when the cause of action accrued, when the harm was discovered, and whether a separate repose rule applies.

For Michigan reference work, the safest starting point is the general 6-year period in MCL § 767.24(1), then test whether a more specific statute changes the result.

If you need to check a filing window quickly, use the DocketMath statute of limitations calculator to map the claim date against the applicable deadline.

Limitation period

Michigan’s general limitation period is 6 years under MCL § 767.24(1).

That means the default filing window is measured in years, not months or days, and the clock typically begins when the claim accrues under the relevant rule for that claim. Since this page is a reference summary, the main practical takeaway is straightforward:

• Default period: 6 years
• Citation: MCL § 767.24(1)
• Scope: General/default period only
• Claim-specific override: Not identified for this page

How the calculator uses these inputs

DocketMath’s calculator works best when you enter the dates that drive the deadline:

• Accrual date or event date — the date the claim began to run
• Filing date — the date the complaint was filed or will be filed
• Jurisdiction — Michigan
• Any tolling or pause periods — if the claim was suspended for a legally recognized reason

The output changes based on those inputs:

Practical examples

• A claim that accrued on January 1, 2020 with a 6-year period would generally run through January 1, 2026.
• A claim that accrued on July 15, 2021 would generally run through July 15, 2027.
• If a tolling rule applies, the deadline may move later by the tolling duration.

These examples are purely for reference. The correct deadline always depends on the governing statute and the specific facts that trigger accrual, tolling, or repose.

Key exceptions

Michigan’s general 6-year period is the starting point, but exceptions can change the deadline in three common ways: a specific statute can replace the default rule, tolling can extend the filing window, or a repose rule can end the claim earlier.

1) Claim-specific statutes can override the general period

If Michigan law provides a special deadline for the claim type, that specific statute controls instead of the 6-year default. In other words, the general rule is not the final answer when a more targeted statute applies.

Common examples in deadline analysis include categories where the legislature sets a different filing window than the general one. For reference-page work, the key point is not the claim label alone, but whether the statute you are checking contains its own deadline.

2) Tolling can extend the filing period

Tolling pauses or extends the clock in limited circumstances recognized by law. That can happen when:

• the claimant is under a legally recognized disability,
• service issues affect the filing timeline,
• a statutory pause applies,
• or another rule suspends the running of time.

A tolling issue changes the calculator result because the elapsed time is not counted the same way as ordinary calendar time.

3) A statute of repose can cut off the claim earlier

A statute of repose is different from a statute of limitations. It can bar a claim after a fixed number of years from a triggering event, even if the injury was not yet discovered. That means a repose period can be shorter or functionally harsher than the ordinary filing deadline.

For that reason, users should not assume the 6-year general limitation period is the only deadline involved. If a repose rule exists for the claim type, the earlier cutoff may control.

4) Discovery rules may affect accrual

Some claims do not begin the clock at the moment of the underlying conduct. Instead, the date of discovery—or the date the injury reasonably should have been discovered—can matter.

That changes the calculation in a meaningful way:

• Conduct date and injury date may be different
• Discovery date may start the clock later
• The calculator output may differ depending on which trigger the statute uses

Statute citation

Michigan’s general default period is MCL § 767.24(1), with a 6-year limitation period.

Citation table

Because this is the general/default rule, use it as the baseline when no more specific Michigan deadline is identified. If a more specific statute governs the claim, that statute replaces the general period for that issue.

Reference checklist

• General Michigan deadline identified
• Period stated as 6 years
• General statute cited: MCL § 767.24(1)
• No claim-type-specific sub-rule found for this page
• Treat this as a default rule, not a universal claim deadline

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s calculator helps you turn the Michigan rule into a date-specific answer. Start with the claim’s key dates, then compare the filing date to the computed deadline.

Use it when you want to answer questions like:

• Is the claim still timely under the 6-year default?
• Did the deadline expire before filing?
• Does tolling change the result?
• Would a different accrual date produce a different cutoff?

Best inputs to enter

1. Accrual date
   Use the date the claim began to run under the controlling rule.

2. Filing date
   Enter the date the complaint was filed or the intended filing date.

3. Jurisdiction
   Select Michigan.

4. Tolling periods
   Add any pauses that apply under the governing rule.

What the output tells you

• The deadline date
• Whether the filing is timely or late
• How much time remains, if any
• Whether a tolling adjustment changes the result

When to re-check the result

Re-run the calculation if any of these change:

• the claim type,
• the discovery date,
• the accrual date,
• or the presence of a repose rule.

That matters because a single date shift can change the outcome by months or even years.

Sources and references

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

• MCL § 600.5807

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