Equitable tolling

Equitable tolling is a legal principle that temporarily extends deadlines for filing certain claims or lawsuits when extraordinary circumstances prevent a person from acting in time. It recognizes that, in some situations—such as serious illness, lack of proper notice, or other unavoidable obstacles—it wouldn't be fair to penalize someone for missing the deadline. Essentially, it allows the court to "pause" or "delay" the time limit, giving individuals a fair chance to pursue their legal rights when justified circumstances impede timely action.