Don's Tools · Statute of Limitations

Statute of Limitations
by State — All 50 States

Look up your legal filing deadline by state and claim type. Enter your incident date to calculate the exact date your case expires.

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⚠️ Educational purposes only Statutes of limitations have many exceptions (tolling rules, discovery rule, minors, etc.) that can change your actual deadline. Always consult a licensed attorney for advice on your specific situation.
Statute of Limitations
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All 50 States — Statute of Limitations Reference Table

Filing deadlines for personal injury and contract claims. Always verify with current state statutes — these can change.

StateYearsExceptions / Notes

Understanding Statute of Limitations Laws

Statutes of limitations are among the most important procedural rules in civil law. Missing a deadline — even by one day — can permanently bar your claim, no matter how strong the underlying case might be.

Why Do Statutes of Limitations Exist?

The policy rationales behind limitations periods include: ensuring evidence remains fresh and available, preventing defendants from facing stale claims they can no longer defend against, encouraging plaintiffs to pursue claims diligently, and providing legal certainty so people can move on without perpetual liability.

The Discovery Rule

Many states apply a "discovery rule" for certain claims: the statute of limitations clock doesn't start until the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known about the injury. This most commonly applies in medical malpractice cases (where harm may not be apparent immediately), toxic exposure cases, and fraud cases (where the wrongdoing may be concealed).

Tolling — When the Clock Pauses

The statute of limitations can be "tolled" (paused) in various circumstances. Common tolling events include: the plaintiff is a minor (clock starts when they turn 18 in most states), the defendant is out of state or hiding, the plaintiff has a mental disability, or the defendant fraudulently concealed the claim. Tolling rules vary significantly by state and claim type.

Federal Claims Have Different Deadlines

Federal lawsuits (civil rights violations under Section 1983, EEOC employment discrimination claims, federal securities fraud, etc.) have their own limitations periods set by federal law, often 2–4 years depending on the claim type. These are separate from state statutes of limitations and controlled by federal courts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in California?

California has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, there are important exceptions: if the injured person is a minor, the 2-year period begins on their 18th birthday. Claims against government entities have a much shorter deadline — you must file an administrative claim with the agency within 6 months of the incident.

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Texas?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for breach of written contract is 4 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004). For oral contracts, it is also 4 years. The clock generally starts running when the breach occurs, though for some contracts it starts when you discover (or should have discovered) the breach. Texas uses the same 4-year period for written and oral contracts, which is more generous than many states.

Is there a statute of limitations for murder?

No. Murder and other serious violent felonies have no statute of limitations in the US — prosecution can be initiated at any time. Many states also have no limitations period for rape, child sexual abuse, and other serious felonies. For less serious crimes, criminal statutes of limitations are typically 3–7 years depending on the offense, though these are separate from civil limitations periods.

Does the statute of limitations reset if the defendant moves out of state?

In most states, yes — the statute of limitations is tolled (paused) while a defendant is physically absent from the state, because serving them with a lawsuit becomes more difficult. However, the Uniform Commercial Code and modern long-arm statutes have reduced this exception's significance in many states. Check your specific state's tolling rules.

What should I do if my statute of limitations is about to expire?

Contact a licensed attorney immediately — this is a true legal emergency. An attorney can file a complaint to preserve the claim while continuing to investigate. Even if you aren't sure you want to proceed with a lawsuit, preserving your legal rights buys time. Many personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations and work on contingency (no fee unless you win).