A law that cuts off a right of action after a specified time period has
elapsed, regardless of when the cause of action accrues. Most states have
statutes of repose specific to construction projects that prohibit claims for
construction defect beyond a specified number of years after the construction
is completed. These statutes vary widely with regard to the limitation periods,
what is covered, and whom the statute protects. A statute of repose differs
from a statute of limitation in that the time periods specified in statutes of
limitations usually do not begin to run until the injury or damage actually
occurs, irrespective of when the work was performed or the product was sold.