Key facts: Vermont
- When the clock starts
- Generally the date of injury for personal injury claims; the date of death for wrongful death. Vermont follows the discovery rule for most negligence claims, which delays accrual when the injury was not, or could not reasonably have been, discovered at the time.
- Last verified
- 2026-05-22
- Source type
- Primary (state code or court opinion)
Details and exceptions for Vermont
Three years for PI from discovery of injury, and two years for wrongful death from discovery of death. Vermont expressly uses the discovery rule by statute. Tort claims against the state have separate procedural requirements under 12 V.S.A. § 5602.
Related: Vermont comparative negligence rule
Vermont follows a modified 51% bar rule. Modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar; recovery is permitted when the plaintiff’s negligence is "not greater than" the causal total negligence of defendants.
Read the full Vermont comparative negligence rule →This page is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Notice deadlines for claims against governmental units, medical malpractice, intentional torts, and other special categories run on separate tracks and can be much shorter. Confirm the controlling rule with a licensed Vermont attorney before relying on it.