Vermont Suspends Civil Statutes of Limitations During COVID-19 Emergency

Note that all Sheehey guidance regarding COVID-19 is subject to change, as the legal landscape is evolving rapidly. Please note the date of publication for this bulletin, and be aware that things may have changed since then. Please check our COVID-19 landing page for the most up-to-date posts and contact us with any questions.

On April 28, 2020, Governor Phil Scott signed into law S.114, an act relating to the Vermont judiciary’s emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Among other provisions in the bill, S.114 tolls the statute of limitations for any civil action that would have run during the emergency.  The period of suspension runs from the date Governor Scott first declared an emergency, March 13, 2020, to 60 days after the state of emergency is lifted.  This generally means that any claim that would have otherwise been time-barred by the statute of limitations during the emergency can still be brought after the emergency order is lifted.

The bill is not specific to the current declaration of emergency, and would apply to any future declarations of emergency related to COVID-19 made by the Governor.

If you have any questions about the state or federal response to COVID-19, our attorneys are here to help.  Contact us at [email protected]