DISCOVERY RULE

discovery rule.Civil procedure. The rule that a limitations period does not begin to run until

the plaintiff discovers (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury giving rise to the claim. •

The  discovery  rule  usu.  applies  to  injuries  that  are  inherently  difficult  to  detect,  such  as  those

resulting  from  medical  malpractice.  See  STATUTE  OF  LIMITATIONS.  Cf.  OCCURRENCE

RULE.  [Cases:  Limitation  of  Actions    95,  100.  C.J.S. Employer–Employee  Relationship  §  87;

Limitations  of  Actions  §§  87,  131,  138,  142,  164–165,  167–168,  170–173,  175–176,  183,  192,

198–205;  Physicians,  Surgeons,  and  Other  Health-Care  Providers  §  108;  RICO  (Racketeer

Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) § 16.] [Blacks Law 8th]