What is the statute of limitations in Rhode Island?
The statute of limitations for all personal injury claims is three years after the cause of action accrues. R.I.G.L ยง9-1-14(b). This includes breach of warranty claims. See, Nappi v. John Deere & Co., 717 A.2d 650, 651 (R.I. 1998); Castrignano, supra. With respect to IUD claims, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has adopted a very liberal “discovery” rule. Anthony v. Abbott Laboratories, 490 A.2d 43, 46 (R.I. 1985). However, in other products liability cases, our courts have said the statute begins to run when the plaintiff discovers, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should discover, that he or she has sustained an injury. See, e.g., Naples v. AcerAmerican Corp., 970 F.Supp. 89 (D.R.I. 1997); Renaud v. Sigma-Aldrich Corp., 662 A.2d 711, 714 (R.I. 1995).
