> This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

# Legal Malpractice Statute Of Limitations in Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has interpreted R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) to govern the statute of limitations for legal malpractice claims. This statute establishes a three-year limitation period for bringing such an action. The official source, available at the Rhode Island General Assembly website, provides the complete text of the rule. The three-year figure is a verified fact within the statute. The worked example below demonstrates how the calculator applies this limitation period to a given date of accrual. To determine how the rule applies to a specific set of facts, use the calculator to estimate the deadline based on the relevant dates.

## Governing authority

In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations rule is set by **R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a)**. The verified packet cites R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) (http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE9/9-1/9-1-13.HTM).

## Deadline example

For a Rhode Island legal malpractice limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: **3 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 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.

**Estimate your own result:** every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the legal malpractice statute of limitations calculator to estimate your specific figure.

---
_This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction._


The Rhode Island Supreme Court has interpreted R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) to govern the statute of limitations for legal malpractice claims. This statute esta

Legal Malpractice Statute Of Limitations in Rhode Island

(b) Actions for injuries to the person shall be commenced and sued within three (3) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after, except as provided for otherwise in subsection (c) herein. Notwithstanding anything herein, any claim based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child shall be governed by § 9-1-51.

Except as otherwise specially provided, all civil actions shall be commenced within ten (10) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after.

There shall be no statute of limitations for the following offenses: treason against the state; any homicide, arson, first-degree arson, second-degree arson, third-degree arson, burglary, counterfeiting, forgery, robbery, rape, first-degree sexual assault, first-degree child molestation sexual assault, second-degree child molestation sexual assault, bigamy; manufacturing, selling, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or distribute, a controlled substance under the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, chapter 28 of title 21; or any other offense for which the maximum penalty provided is life imprisonment.

Except as provided in subsection (e), an action to enforce the obligation of a party to pay a note payable at a definite time must be commenced within six years after the due date or dates stated in the note or, if a due date is accelerated, within six years after the accelerated due date.

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 9-1-13 and 9-1-14, an action for legal malpractice shall be commenced within three (3) years of the occurrence of the incident which gave rise to the action; provided, however, that: (1) One who is under disability by reason of age, mental incompetence, or otherwise, and on whose behalf no action is brought within the period of three (3) years from the time of the occurrence of the incident, shall bring the action within three (3) years from the removal of the disability. (2) In respect to those injuries due to acts of legal malpractice which could not in the exercise of reasonable diligence be discoverable at the time of the occurrence of the incident which gave rise to the action, suit shall be commenced within three (3) years of the time that the act or acts of legal malpractice should, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, have been discovered.

Actions for injuries to the person shall be commenced and sued within three (3) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after, except as provided for otherwise in subsection (c) herein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 9-1-13 and 9-1-14, an action for medical, veterinarian, accounting, or insurance or real estate agent or broker malpractice shall be commenced within three (3) years from the time of the occurrence of the incident that gave rise to the action; provided, however, that: (1) One who is under disability by reason of age and on whose behalf no action is brought within the period of three (3) years from the time of the occurrence of the incident shall bring the action at any time up to twenty-one (21) years of age. (2) One who is under disability by reason of mental incompetence, or otherwise, and on whose behalf no action is brought within the period of three (3) years from the time of the occurrence of the incident, shall bring the action within three (3) years from the removal of the disability.

§ 9-1-14. Limitation of actions for words spoken or personal injuries. (a) Actions for words spoken shall be commenced and sued within one year next after the words spoken, and not after. (b) Actions for injuries to the person shall be commenced and sued within three (3) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after, except as provided for otherwise in subsection (c) herein. Notwithstanding anything herein, any claim based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child shall be governed by § 9-1-51. (c) As to an action for personal injuries wherein an injured party is entitled to proceed against an insurer pursuant to § 27-7-2, where an action is otherwise properly filed against an insured within the time limitations provided for by this section, and process against the insured tortfeasor has been returned "non est inventus" and filed with the court, then the statutory limitation for filing an action under § 27-7-2 directly against an insurer shall be extended an additional one hundred twenty (120) days after the expiration of the time limitation provided for in subsection (b) herein.

Actions for injuries to the person shall be commenced and sued within three (3) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after, except as provided for otherwise in subsection (c) herein. Notwithstanding anything herein, any claim based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child shall be governed by § 9-1-51. (c) As to an action for personal injuries wherein an injured party is entitled to proceed against an insurer pursuant to § 27-7-2, where an action is otherwise properly filed against an insured within the time limitations provided for by this section, and process against the insured tortfeasor has been returned “non estinventus” and filed with the court, then the statutory limitation for filing an action under § 27-7-2 directly against an insurer shall be extended an additional one hundred twenty (120) days after the expiration of the time limitation provided for in subsection (b) herein.

Except as otherwise specially provided, all civil actions shall be commenced within ten (10) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after. (b) [Ruled unconstitutional, see case notes] Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, an action for the recovery of damages for personal injury, death, or damage to real or personal property, including any action based upon implied warranties arising out of an alleged design, inspection, listing, or manufacturing defect, or any other alleged defect of whatsoever kind or nature in a product, or arising out of any alleged failure to warn regarding a product, or arising out of any alleged failure to properly instruct in the use of a product, shall be commenced within ten (10) years after the date the product was first purchased for use or consumption.

The jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters conferred on the district courts by the provisions of titles 13, 24, and 70 of the Revised Statutes for the protection of all persons in the United States in their civil rights, and for their vindication, shall be exercised and enforced in conformity with the laws of the United States, so far as such laws are suitable to carry the same into effect; but in all cases where they are not adapted to the object, or are deficient in the provisions necessary to furnish suitable remedies and punish offenses against law, the common law, as modified and changed by the constitution and statutes of the State wherein the court having jurisdiction of such civil or criminal cause is held, so far as the same is not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States, shall be extended to and govern the said courts in the trial and disposition of the cause.

Actions for words spoken shall be commenced and sued within one year next after the words spoken, and not after.

(1) An action for breach of any contract for sale must be commenced within four (4) years after the cause of action has accrued. By the original agreement the parties may reduce the period of limitation to not less than one year but may not extend it. (2) A cause of action accrues when the breach occurs, regardless of the aggrieved party's lack of knowledge of the breach. A breach of warranty occurs when tender of delivery is made, except that where a warranty explicitly extends to future performance of the goods and discovery of the breach must await the time of such performance the cause of action accrues when the breach is or should have been discovered.

(c) Except as otherwise provided, every action brought pursuant to this chapter shall be commenced within three (3) years after the death of the person. With respect to any death caused by any wrongful act, neglect, or default that is not known at the time of death, the action shall be commenced within three (3) years of the time that the wrongful act, neglect, or default is discovered or, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have been discovered. Whenever any person or corporation is found liable under §§ 10-7-1 — 10-7-4 the person or corporation shall be liable in damages in the sum of not less than three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000).

If any person, liable to an action by another, shall fraudulently, by actual misrepresentation, conceal from him or her the existence of the cause of action, the cause of action shall be deemed to accrue against the person so liable at the time when the person entitled to sue thereon shall first discover its existence.

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b), actions for injuries to the person must be commenced within three (3) years after the cause of action accrues. A 120-day extension applies under § 9-1-14(c) where a § 27-7-2 direct-action against an insurer follows a non est inventus return on the insured tortfeasor. Child sexual-abuse claims are excluded and governed by § 9-1-51. This is the controlling SOL for general personal-injury and negligence actions in Rhode Island.

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14.3, an action for legal malpractice must be commenced within three years of the occurrence of the incident giving rise to the action. Disability tolling applies under (1) — disabled persons have 3 years from removal of disability. Discovery rule applies under (2) — for injuries not reasonably discoverable at occurrence, suit must commence within 3 years of when the malpractice should reasonably have been discovered. Notwithstanding clause supersedes both § 9-1-13 (10

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a), all civil actions (except as otherwise specially provided) must be commenced within ten years after the cause of action accrues. R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-5.2 (DTPA private right of action) contains no internal SOL provision; the 10-year general catch-all in § 9-1-13(a) controls DTPA private actions in Rhode Island.

A federal civil-rights claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 arising in Rhode Island uses Rhode Island's general personal-injury limitations period. Under 42 U.S.C. § 1988(a), federal civil-rights claims borrow forum-state law when federal law is deficient; Rhode Island's R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) provides a three-year period for actions for injuries to the person.

Rhode Island consumer fraud / deceptive trade practices SOL: 10 years from accrual under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a) (the general civil catch-all). The DTPA private right of action in R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-5.2 contains no internal SOL, so the 10-year general catch-all governs DTPA private actions. The discovery rule under § 9-1-20 applies for fraudulently concealed causes of action.

Rhode Island consumer fraud / deceptive trade practices SOL: 10 years from accrual under the general civil catch-all R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a). The DTPA private right of action (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-5.2) contains no internal SOL provision, so the 10-year general catch-all controls. The discovery rule applies under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-20 for fraudulently concealed causes of action.

Civil trespass to real property in Rhode Island falls under the general 10-year SOL in § 9-1-13(a) — 'all civil actions not otherwise limited' — because RI has no specific trespass tort SOL.

Statute of limitations for personal injury in US-RI is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b).

Statute of limitations for product liability in US-RI is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b).

Statute of limitations for premises liability in US-RI is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b).

Statute of limitations for breach written contract in US-RI is 10 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a).

Statute of limitations for breach oral contract in US-RI is 10 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a).

Statute of limitations for ucc sale of goods in US-RI is 4 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 6A-2-725.

Statute of limitations for fraud in US-RI is 10 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a).

Statute of limitations for libel in US-RI is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b).

Statute of limitations for slander in US-RI is 1 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(a).

Statute of limitations for property damage in US-RI is 10 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a).

Statute of limitations for trespass in US-RI is 10 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a).

Statute of limitations for consumer fraud deceptive trade practices in US-RI is 10 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a).

Statute of limitations for adult sexual assault rape civil in US-RI is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b).

Statute of limitations for section 1983 civil rights claims in US-RI is 3 years under 42 U.S.C. § 1988(a) (borrowing rule) + R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) (Rhode Island personal-injury SOL).

Statute of limitations for wrongful death in US-RI is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-7-2.

Statute of limitations for medical malpractice in US-RI is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14.1.

Statute of limitations for legal malpractice in US-RI is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14.3.

Statute of limitations for rape sexual assault adult victim in rhode island is 3 years under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b).

adult_sexual_assault_rape_civil SOL in US-RI: 3 years

A premises-liability slip-and-fall claim is an action for injuries to the person; under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b), actions for injuries to the person must be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues.

Rhode Island written libel claims are treated as injuries to the person and must be brought within 3 years of accrual under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b).

Rhode Island civil actions, except as otherwise specially provided, must be commenced within 10 years after the cause of action accrues under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13(a).

Actions for injuries to the person shall be commenced and sued within three (3) years next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after.

If any person against whom there is or shall be cause for any action, as enumerated in this chapter, in favor of a resident of the state, shall at the time the cause accrues be outside the limits of the state, or being within the state at the time the cause accrues shall go out of the state before the action is barred by the provisions of this chapter, and does not have or leave property or estate in the state that can be attached by process of law, then the person entitled to the action may commence the action, within the time before limited, after the person has returned into the state in such a manner that an action may, with reasonable diligence, be commenced against him or her by the person entitled to the action; provided, however, that no action shall be brought by any person upon a cause of action accruing outside this state which was barred by limitation or otherwise in the state, territory, or country in which the cause of action arose while he or she resided in the state.

If any person at the time any such cause of action shall accrue to him or her shall be under the age of eighteen (18) years, or of unsound mind, or beyond the limits of the United States, the person may bring the cause of action, within the time limited under this chapter, after the impediment is removed.

Legal Malpractice Statute Of Limitations in Rhode Island

Current verified answer

Authority and key facts

Legal Malpractice Statute Of Limitations in Rhode Island

Governing authority

Deadline example