Statutes of limitations are designed to promote efficiency in the legal system by encouraging plaintiffs to file their lawsuits promptly and to prevent defendants from being subjected to stale claims.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for breach of contract lawsuits is four years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for fraud lawsuits is six years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for defamation lawsuits is one year.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for property damage lawsuits is three years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits is two years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for products liability lawsuits is four years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for employment discrimination lawsuits is three years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for antitrust lawsuits is four years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for tax fraud lawsuits is six years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for environmental lawsuits is five years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for securities fraud lawsuits is five years.

In most jurisdictions, the statute of limitations for patent infringement lawsuits is six years.