Redact Legal Massachusetts Small Claims Forms For Free

There are statute of limitations when it comes to filing claims. You have up to three years from the date of the incident to file a claim in small claims court for personal injury and property damage cases. You have six years from the date of the incident to file for oral and written contracts.

Keep in mind, the court will require some type of proof that your claim is valid prior to entry of judgment. If the Defendant appears for the trial and you don't appear, or if neither of you appears, the case will be dismissed.

Small claims courts provide a simple, informal and inexpensive option for resolving cases where the claim is $7,000 or less. You may only bring a small claim in the court for the location where either the plaintiff or the defendant lives or has a place of business or employment.

No Attorney Required: You can speak on your own behalf in Small Claims Court and you do not need an attorney to bring a small claims case in Massachusetts, though you are permitted to retain an attorney if you wish.

Time limits on filing claims Generally, a claim based on a contract or a consumer protection law must be brought within 6 years, and a claim resulting from negligence or intentional harm must be brought within 3 years, but there are exceptions.

You don't have an unlimited amount of time to file a claim. You'll have to bring it within the statute of limitations period for your particular case. For example, the Massachusetts statute of limitations periods is six years for oral and written contracts, and three years for personal injury and property damage cases.