CPLR 214-A is a New York state law that extends the normal time limit for filing certain personal injury lawsuits when the injuries involve ongoing exposure to harmful substances or when the full extent of the injury isn't discovered until years after the initial exposure. This law is particularly important for cases involving asbestos exposure, toxic chemicals, or other situations where serious health problems like cancer or lung disease develop slowly over time. Without this extended deadline, many people would lose their right to sue before they even knew they had been seriously injured.
Under CPLR 214-A, you generally have three years from the date you discover your injury (or reasonably should have discovered it) to file your lawsuit, rather than three years from when the harmful exposure first occurred. For example, if you were exposed to asbestos at work in 1990 but weren't diagnosed with mesothelioma until 2020, this law would allow you to file suit in 2023 rather than having your case dismissed because the normal deadline passed decades ago. This discovery rule recognizes that some injuries have long latency periods and people shouldn't be penalized for not knowing they were harmed.
