Rhode Island General Laws
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-25 (2026)
Time for bringing suit against state, political subdivision, city, or town
✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and in § 9-1-51, for cases of sexual abuse, when a claimant is given the right to sue the state of Rhode Island, any political subdivision of the state, or any city or town by a special act of the general assembly, or in cases involving actions or claims in tort against the state or any political subdivision thereof or any city or town, the action shall be instituted within three (3) years from the effective date of the special act, or within three (3) years of the accrual of any claim of tort. Failure to institute suit within the three-year (3) period shall constitute a bar to the bringing of the legal action.
(b) In cases of childhood sexual abuse, the time for bringing suit against the state of Rhode Island or any other entity identified in subsection (a) of this section, § 9-1-51 shall apply.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 34
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1973–2025 · leading case: Jean Ho-Rath v. Rhode Island Hosp., 115 A.3d 938 (R.I. 2015).
Jean Ho-Rath v. Rhode Island Hosp., 115 A.3d 938 (R.I. 2015). “1987), a case that was factually analogous to Bakalakis, in which this Court addressed the issue of whether the statute of limitations for bringing an action against the state pursuant to § 9-1-25 is tolled during a child’s minority.”
Benner v. J.H. Lynch & Sons, Inc., 641 A.2d 332 (R.I. 1994). “1956 (1985 Reenactment) § 9-1-25, which provides that an action against the state must be brought “within three (3) years of the accrual of any claim of tort.”
Thomas Shannahan v. Charles D. Moreau, 202 A.3d 217 (R.I. 2019). “The Trust first argued that the new claims were barred by the doctrine of res judicata or, in the alternative, that they were barred by the statute of limitations for tort actions against cities and towns contained in G.L. 1956 § 9-1-25. 12 The Trust asserted that it had not…”
Bishop v. Jaworski, 524 A.2d 1102 (R.I. 1987). “*1103 1956 (1969 Reenactment) § 9-1-25, as amended by P.L.1984, ch. 84, § 1, had already expired.”
Andrade v. State, 448 A.2d 1293 (R.I. 1982). “Section 9-31-1 provides that "[t]he state of Rhode Island and any political subdivision thereof, including all cities and towns, shall, subject to the period of limitations set forth in § 9-1-25, hereby be liable in all actions of tort in the same manner as a private individual…”
Pearman v. Walker, 512 F. Supp. 228 (D.R.I. 1981). “G.L. § 9-1-25 provides as follows: When a claimant is given the right to sue the state of Rhode Island by a special act of the general assembly, or in cases involving actions or claims in tort against the state or any political subdivision thereof or any city or town, the said…”
Fricker v. Town of Foster, 596 F. Supp. 1353 (D.R.I. 1984). “Laws § 9-1-14 (“Actions for injuries to the person shall be commenced and sued within three (3) years next after the cause of action shall accrue,” and not thereafter) apply; and that, in either event, the plaintiff has been tardy in suing.”
Marrapese v. Rhode Island, 500 F. Supp. 1207 (D.R.I. 1980). “§ 9-31-1: Tort liability of the state-The State of Rhode Island and any political subdivision thereof, including all cities and towns, shall, subject to the period of limitations set forth in § 9-1-25, hereby be liable in all actions of tort in the same manner as ■a private…”
Illas v. Przybyla, 850 A.2d 937 (R.I. 2004). “The town counters that the applicable statute of limitations, G.L.1956 § 9-1-25, bars such a claim. Section 9-1-25 provides: ‘When a claimant is given the right to sue the state of Rhode Island, any political subdivision of the state, or any city or town by a special act of the…”
Allendale Leasing, Inc. v. Stone, 614 F. Supp. 1440 (D.R.I. 1985). “G.L. § 9-1-25, had consented to suit in federal court, at least in cases where the alleged constitutional violation arises from activities that are in the nature of tort at common law.”
Barratt v. Burlingham, 492 A.2d 1219 (R.I. 1985). “ The state of Rhode Island and any political subdivision thereof, including all cities and towns, shall, subject to the period of limitations set forth in § 9-1-25, hereby be liable in all actions of tort in the same manner as a private individual or corporation, provided…”
Rachal v. O'Neil, 925 A.2d 920 (R.I. 2007). “Since the Legislature is presumed to know the law, and §§ 9-1-25 and 9-1-19 are contained within the same title and chapter of the General Laws, it seems likely that the Legislature intended § 9-1-19 to toll the § 9-1-25 statute of limitations.”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-25(a) — 3 cases
The Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC v. Laura Kenyon, in her capacity as Fin. Dir. for the Town of Richmond (R.I. 2024).
Solas v. Town of South Kingstown (D.R.I. 2025).
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