Name the claim before looking for a number
A single event can raise negligence, wrongful-death, medical, product, intentional-tort, or government-liability questions. Limitations statutes often give those claims different categories. Write down what happened, who may be responsible, and which legal theory needs to be checked.
Read the scope words around the deadline
Open the current statute and read the entire section. Note phrases such as “after accrual,” “discovery,” “not otherwise provided for,” and any cross-references. Search results and summaries often omit language that determines whether the provision applies.
Check accrual, tolling, notice, and repose separately
A filing period does not always begin on the incident date. Tolling may pause a period; a statute of repose can impose a separate outer limit; and a government claim may require notice before suit. These are different questions.
Confirm the text date and later amendments
Use a legislature, code reviser, or official court source and check that the text is current. If a law changed, find its effective-date and applicability language. A current rule may not govern an older event.
Turn uncertainty into consultation questions
Bring the incident date, date of discovery, identities of possible defendants, government involvement, age or disability issues, and prior filings or notices. Ask the lawyer to identify the controlling provision and explain how the calendar was calculated.