What is the statute of limitations for a plaintiff to bring a cause of action?

" 'Statute of limitations' is the 'collective term . . . commonly applied to a great number of acts,' or parts of acts, that 'prescribe the periods beyond which' a plaintiff may not bring a cause of action." (Norgart v. Upjohn Co. (1999) 21 Cal.4th 383, 395.) A cause of action brought outside an applicable period is time-barred. (Ibid.) The applicable period commences when the cause of action accrues, that is, " 'when, under the substantive law, the wrongful act is done,' or the wrongful result occurs, and the consequent 'liability arises.' " (Id. at p. 397.) "An exception to the general rule for defining the accrual of a cause of action . . . is the discovery rule," which "postpones accrual of a cause of action

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until the plaintiff discovers, or has reason to discover, the cause of action." (Ibid.)