What does "Statute of Limitations" mean?

People hear lawyers talk about the statute of limitations all the time, but what does that mean? The statute of limitations is pretty much a legal deadline to file a lawsuit. Every case has one. But in toxic cases asbestos, the timeline varies a little bit different, and that's because diseases mesothelioma can take up to 20, 30, or 40 years to develop. So in many cases, the clock doesn't start when the exposure happens. It starts when the person learns about the disease or when they're officially diagnosed. For example, in New York, it's generally three years. In New Jersey or in Pennsylvania, it's typically two years. That's why understanding the timeline matters, because once the clock starts, it moves quickly. If you have questions about toxic exposure cases or want to understand the timeline a little bit better, feel free to reach out to me.