Detailed Answer — Connecticut statute of limitations for civil assault

Short answer: In Connecticut, a civil assault (an intentional personal-injury claim) generally must be filed within two years of the date of the assault. If you miss that deadline, a court will usually dismiss the claim.

What this means

When people talk about an “assault claim” they usually mean a civil lawsuit seeking money damages for injuries caused by another person’s intentional harmful conduct (assault or battery). Under Connecticut law, most personal-injury actions — including those based on assault or battery — must be started in court within two years after the injury or the date the injury was discovered.

The statute that sets the general time limit for many personal-injury claims in Connecticut is in the Connecticut General Statutes governing limitation of actions. For more information, see the Connecticut General Assembly’s statutes on limitation of actions: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/ (search for “statute of limitations” or “limitation of actions”).

How the clock starts (when the two years begin)

• If the assault and any resulting injury were obvious at the time of the event, the two-year clock normally starts on the date of the assault.
• If the injury or its seriousness was not discovered immediately, Connecticut law may allow the clock to start on the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. This is often called the “discovery rule.” Whether the discovery rule applies depends on the specific facts.

Common exceptions and special situations

• Claims against state or municipal entities: Suits or claims against the State of Connecticut or a municipal employer often require special notice and shorter deadlines before you can file a lawsuit. Those rules are different from ordinary tort deadlines.
• Minors and incapacity: Persons who were minors or legally incapacitated at the time of the injury may have the filing period tolled (paused) until they reach majority or the incapacity ends. Specific rules apply.
• Criminal charges vs. civil claims: Criminal assault charges are brought by prosecutors and follow criminal-law rules and timelines. The civil statute of limitations governs private lawsuits for money damages, not criminal prosecutions.
• Discovery of a defendant’s identity: If you cannot identify who caused the injury right away, courts sometimes treat the filing deadline as tolled while you reasonably pursue the defendant’s identity. That is fact-specific and tested by courts.

What you should do now

1. Preserve evidence: photos, medical records, witness names and contact information, police reports, and any communication related to the event.
2. Contact an attorney promptly: A lawyer can confirm the applicable deadline for your particular case, advise whether any exceptions (tolling, discovery rule, government-claim rules) might extend the deadline, and help prepare and file a claim on time.
3. Act quickly: Because the two-year deadline is short, delay can permanently bar your ability to sue.

Helpful Hints

• Don’t assume that pursuing a criminal case preserves your civil deadline. Criminal and civil cases run on different timetables.
• If the defendant is a government employee or agency, ask an attorney about notice-of-claim requirements — these are often strict and shorter than two years.
• Keep a running timeline: note the assault date, first medical visit, discovery of any delayed injuries, and the date you first learned who the potential defendant is.
• Even if you think the deadline has passed, consult a lawyer — there are narrow exceptions that sometimes allow late filing.
• Use an attorney referral service if you don’t have a lawyer. The Connecticut Bar Association and local bar associations can help you find an attorney experienced in personal-injury/assault claims.

Where to read the law

Connecticut’s statutes on limitation of actions and civil procedure are published by the Connecticut General Assembly. For statutory language and related provisions, visit the Connecticut General Assembly website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/ and search for “limitation of actions” or “statute of limitations.”

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. Laws and rules change and facts can change how the law applies. Consult a licensed Connecticut attorney promptly to get advice about your specific situation.