Statutes of limitations are deadlines for filing specific types of claims in court, in arbitration, or in other legal proceedings. Statutes of limitations generally require a person or entity to file a lawsuit or initiate an arbitration proceeding within a certain number of years from the date the cause of action accrues or arises—often the date of the injury, whether a physical injury or a breach of contract, for example.

The discovery rule is a judge-made exception to statutes of limitations that stops or “tolls” the limitations period from beginning to run until the person with the right to assert the claim (the plaintiff) has sufficient knowledge to discover the facts regarding the injury or breach.

Similarly, a statute of limitations may be suspended or “tolled”—extending the time period in which the plaintiff may file a lawsuit or make a claim—if the plaintiff lacks the legal capacity to file a lawsuit or make a claim when the cause of action accrues (the person is under a legal disability). For example, if a person’s cause of action accrues when the person is a minor child, the statute of limitations will often by tolled until the child reaches the age of majority (often 18).

In Idaho, statutes of limitations set time limits for filing various types of legal claims. These time limits vary depending on the nature of the claim. For instance, personal injury claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of injury, while breach of contract claims must be filed within four years if the contract is in writing, or five years if the contract is oral. The discovery rule in Idaho may toll the statute of limitations, meaning the clock doesn't start until the plaintiff discovers, or with reasonable diligence should have discovered, the facts constituting the claim. Additionally, if a plaintiff is under a legal disability at the time the cause of action accrues, such as being a minor or mentally incapacitated, the statute of limitations may be tolled until the disability is removed, for example, when the minor reaches the age of majority, which is 18 in Idaho. It's important for individuals to consult with an attorney to understand the specific time limits and exceptions that may apply to their case.