If you've had your property damaged as a result of someone else's careless or intentional action in Nevada, you might be thinking about bringing a civil lawsuit over what happened. If so, it's important to understand the Nevada statute of limitations and how it applies to your potential case.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a "statute of limitations" is a state law that affects a potential plaintiff's right to file a lawsuit, by putting a strict limit on how much time can pass before they can get the case started in court. Every state has these laws on the books, with different time limits depending on the kind of case being filed.
In this article, we'll explain the property damage lawsuit filing deadline in Nevada, the consequences of missing the deadline, and a few rare situations in which you might be able to extend the time limit.
In Nevada, whether your potential case involves damage to real property (your house or your land, for example) or personal property (including vehicle damage), it must be brought to the state's civil court system within three years. This rule can be found at Nevada Revised Statutes section 11.190, which sets this three-year deadline for the filing of
(Note: Damage to real property falls under the definition of "waste or trespass" in this context.)
So, if a homeowner wants to bring a lawsuit for physical damage to the exterior of his/her house caused by someone else's negligence, that case must be brought within three years in Nevada. The same goes for a vehicle damage claim after a car accident. In both situations, the statute of limitations "clock" usually starts ticking as soon as the property owner becomes aware (or should have become aware) that someone else caused damage to his or her property.
What happens if you try to file your Nevada property damage lawsuit after the three-year time limit has expired? In that situation, it's a safe bet that the defendant (the person you're trying to sue) will file a motion asking the court to dismiss the case. And the court is certain to grant the dismissal unless rare circumstances make an extension of the deadline appropriate (more on this later).
If that happens, you've essentially lost your right to any legal remedy for your damaged property. That's why it's crucial to pay attention to (and comply with) the Nevada statute of limitations for property damage claims.
For most kinds of civil lawsuits in Nevada -- including property damage claims -- a number of (relatively rare) situations could effectively extend the three-year lawsuit filing deadline laid out in the statute of limitations.
For example, special rules apply if, at the time the property damage occurs, the property owner is:
In all of these situations, the property owner is considered to be under a "legal disability," and typically the three-year "clock" won't start running until the "legal disability" ends (meaning the property owner turns 18, is declared sane, or is released from the state's custodial care). This rule can be found at Nevada Revised Statutes section 11.250.
Other circumstances may affect the Nevada statute of limitations, and how it's calculated. If you've got questions about the statute of limitations as it applies to your potential property damage lawsuit -- especially if the filing deadline is fast approaching -- an experienced Nevada attorney will have the answers. Learn more about Finding an Excellent Lawyer.