What was a key factor in the dismissal of Ledbetter's case?

The dismissal of Ledbetter's case was primarily influenced by the time elapsed from the incidents of unequal pay. In legal contexts, many claims have statutory limitations, which means that after a certain period following an incident, an individual may lose the right to bring a lawsuit. The courts ruled that because Ledbetter waited too long to file her claim regarding pay discrimination, it fell outside the permissible time frame, leading to the dismissal of her case. This highlights the importance of timely action when pursuing legal claims, especially in matters relating to employment and discrimination.