Defined term
Statute of repose
A statute of repose is an absolute cutoff on liability that runs from a triggering event — typically substantial completion of construction — without regard to when the injury was discovered.
Unlike a statute of limitations (which can be tolled or delayed by discovery), a statute of repose is hard-edged. It runs from the triggering event and extinguishes claims after the repose period, even if the harm has not yet manifested.
For construction: Alabama's repose under Article 13A is seven years from substantial completion. Florida's, recently extended, is ten years from substantial completion under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(c). Repose often controls condominium-tower defect claims discovered post-turnover, when the discovery may fall outside the repose window even though it falls inside the limitations period.
Statutes
- Ala. Code § 6-5-221
- Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(c)