Is there a time limit to file a civil lawsuit (i.e., what is a statute of limitation)?
Virtually all claims in civil law have a statute of limitation. Typically, if a claim is not filed with the Court before the statute or limitation for the claim expires, the victim will have forever lost the right to recover for that claim. For instance, if an assault occurred on March 1, 2004, and if there was a 1-year limitation period for an assault claim, the lawsuit must have been filed on or before March 1, 2005 or the right to recover for assault would be forever lost. As such, it is critical that claims be filed before the statute of limitations expires. When a perpetrator commits a crime, it often gives rise to several distinct claims. Take the typical rape case, for instance; in such cases there are often civil claims for assault, battery, kidnapping, intentional infliction of emotional distress, etc. Separate facts must be proven to establish each of these claims, and each claim has its own limitation period. For instance, in Utah, a civil claim of kidnapping has a one year
