Statutes of Limitations
| Author | Scott Brister (Ret.)/Dan S. Boyd |
| Pages | 125-198 |
3-1
Chapter 3
STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS
QUICK VIEW
Definition: The statute of limitations is the time period within which an action must be commenced, or it is
barred forever.
Scope of chapter: How to calculate the limitations period; satisfying the statute by commencing suit; limitations
periods for particular actions; accrual and extension rules; tolls; statutes of repose.
Strategies and tactics: Conservatively estimate the last day for bringing a claim. Calendar that date and try to
commence suit well in advance of it. If a claim appears time-barred, consider whether it can be saved by the
discovery rule, fraudulent concealment, a tolling rule, or the relation-back doctrine.
Statutes and rules: Tex Const art I, §§13, 16; CPRC §§16.001-16.072, 31.006, 34.001, 71.031, 74.051, 74.251,
81.009, 101.101, 143.001, 171.088-.089; RCS art 581-33(H)(2); Agri C §251.004; Bus & Comm C §§2-725,
3.118, 5.106, 5.115, 15.25, 17.565, 24.010; Fam C §§4.008, 6.109, 9.003, 9.010, 9.202, 159.604, 160.002;
162.012; Fin C §§349.402, 305.006; Gov C 554.005-.006; Ins C art. 21.21, §16(d); Prob C §55, 93; Prop C
Related topics: Service of Process, Ch 10; Pleadings, Ch 14; Defaults & Dismissals, Ch 37; Summary
Judgment, Ch 36.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Overview
A. General Points
§3:01 Definition
§3:02 Purposes
§3:02.1 Waived If Not Raised
§3:02.2 Not Applicable to Affirmative Defenses
§3:03 Is Claim Timely
§3:04 Tolls and Extensions
§3:05 Statutes of Repose
§3:06 Contesting Limitations
B. Sources of Law
§3:12 Civil Practice & Remedies Code Ch. 16
§3:13 Other Texas Sources
§3:14 Choice of Law: Texas Limitations Laws Apply in Texas Courts
§3:15 EXCEPTION: Foreign Limitations Laws Under the Borrowing Statute
(Rev. 10, 4/13)
TEXAS PRETRIAL PRACTICE 3-2
C. Notice of Claim Requirements
§3:20 When Required
§3:21 In Private Contracts
§3:22 Effect
D. Laches
§3:28 What Is Laches
§3:29 No Defense to Timely Suit
II. When Limitations Period Begins: Accrual
A. General Points
§3:34 Statute Runs From Accrual
§3:35 When Claim Accrues
§3:36 Contract Claim Accrues on Breach
§3:37 Contract for Installment Payments
§3:38 Tort Claim Accrues When Wrongful Act Causes Injury
§3:39 Torts Before Birth
B. Continuing Torts and Contracts
§3:44 Continuing Torts
§3:45 Torts That Are Continuing
§3:46 Failure to Rectify Injury Insufficient
§3:47 Continuing Contracts
§3:48 Nuisance: Temporary vs. Permanent Injury
C. Written Acknowledgment
§3:52 Begins New Limitations Period
§3:53 Written Acknowledgment Required for Barred Debts
§3:54 Oral Acknowledgment Sufficient for Debts Not Yet Barred
§3:55 CAUTION: Pleading New Promise
III. When Limitations Period Expires: Filing
A. General Points
§3:60 Filing Suit Stops Statute
§3:61 When Petition Is Deemed Filed
§3:62 EXCEPTION: Petition Sent by First Class Mail
§3:63 Last Day
§3:64 Last Day on Weekend or Holiday
§3:65 EXCEPTION: Unexplained Delay in Service
§3:66 Amended Claims, Counterclaims, and Cross-Claims
§3:67 Nonsuit or Voluntary Dismissal
§3:68 Subsequent Appearance
B. Effect of Errors in Parties
§3:72 Misnaming Defendant
§3:73 Suing Defendant Under Assumed Name
§3:74 Suing Wrong Defendant
§3:75 EXCEPTION: Suing Affiliate of True Defendant
(Rev. 1, 12/00)
3-3 STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS
§3:75.1 EXCEPTION: Suing Government Employee in Official Capacity
§3:76 Errors as to Plaintiff
§3:77 Suing “John Doe” Defendant
§3:78 Only in Same Suit
C. Relation-Back Rule
1. COUNTERCLAIMS AND CROSS-CLAIMS
§3:82 Relation-Back for Related Claims
§3:83 No Relation-Back for Unrelated Claims
§3:84 CASE EXAMPLES: Claims Arising Out of Same Transaction or Occurrence
§3:85 CASE EXAMPLES: Claims Not Arising Out of Same Transaction or Occurrence
§3:86 30-Day Limit
§3:87 Untimely Counterclaim May Still Be Asserted as Defense
§3:88 Third-Party Claims: No Relation-Back
§3:89 Medical Malpractice Claims
§3:90 Amendments to Counterclaims
§3:91 Declaratory Judgment Claims
2. AMENDED PLEADINGS
§3:96 Relation-Back for Related Claims
§3:97 No Relation-Back for Unrelated Claims or New Parties
§3:98 Same Transaction or Occurrence
§3:99 CASE EXAMPLES: Claims That Related Back
§3:100 CASE EXAMPLES: Claims That Did Not Relate Back
§3:101 Untimely or Invalid Original Claim
§3:102 Amendment Cannot Revive Barred Claim
3. ADDED, OMITTED AND SUBSTITUTED PARTIES
§3:105 No Relation Back for Added Parties
§3:106 No Relation Back for Omitted Parties Unless Inadvertent
§3:107 Relation Back for Substituted Parties
§3:108 Relation Back for New Capacity
§3:109 Relation Back for Responsible Third Parties
D. Effect of Service After Limitations Deadline
§3:110 Limitations Run During Unexplained Delay in Service
§3:111 Duty of Diligence
§3:112 Agreement to Delay Service Must Be in Writing
§3:113 Contesting Diligence
IV. Determining Applicable Limitations Period
A. Contract Actions
1. CONTRACTUAL LIMITATIONS AGREEMENTS
§3:114 Valid if Longer Than Two Years
§3:115 EXCEPTION: Businesses Worth $500,000 or More
§3:116 EXCEPTION: Sale of Goods
§3:117 EXCEPTION: Contracts Governed by Federal Law
2. SPECIFIC CONTRACT CLAIMS
§3:122 In General: Four-Year Statute
(Rev. 10, 4/13)
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