Are there any statutes of limitations on small claims court cases?

Yes, there are statutes of limitations on small claims court cases in Massachusetts. The exact statute of limitations depends on the type of case being heard. Generally speaking, most cases must be brought to court within three years of when the claim or cause of action arose. According to Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) chapter 260 section 2, this generally means three years from when the breach of contract or damage occurred. In some cases, the statute of limitations may be longer than three years. For example, the statute of limitations for consumer protection cases is longer than three years in certain circumstances. Additionally, the statute of limitations is extended if a defendant is temporarily out of the state, or if certain written agreements are in place. If a case is brought to small claims court after the statute of limitations has passed, the court may still hear the case, but it will most likely rule in favor of the defendant. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the statutes of limitations before filing a claim in small claims court. In conclusion, Massachusetts has statutes of limitations that apply to small claims court cases. It is important to be aware of these statutes of limitations before filing a claim in small claims court, as filing a claim after the statute of limitations has passed may result in the claim being dismissed.

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