Statute of limitations for a malpractice claim is

• A. 5 years from discovery of harm
• B. 6 months from discovery of harm
• C. 2 years from discovery of harm
• D. 10 years from discovery of harm

Answer: (C)

In malpractice cases, the clock starts when a patient discovers the injury and has reason to connect it to a clinician’s fault. The discovery rule means you don’t count from the moment the negligent act happened, but from when the harm is discovered (or should have been discovered) and its potential link to malpractice. Two years from that point is the most common limit in many jurisdictions, providing a reasonable window for patients to investigate and file while helping courts manage evidence and fairness.

That’s why two years from discovery fits as the typical standard — it acknowledges delayed awareness of harm without allowing claims to linger indefinitely. Shorter windows, like six months, would be too restrictive for people who only gradually realize something is wrong. Longer windows, such as five or ten years, occur in some places but are less common and may be tied to different rules like a statute of repose that sets an absolute cap regardless of discovery. Special tolling rules can also apply in cases involving minors or other factors.

So the standard concept is that the limitation period is two years from when the patient discovers the harm and its possible link to malpractice.