Each state has laws giving people, injured through someone’s actions, the right to sue the negligent party. And each state has laws preventing you from suing that same negligent party if you wait too long to bring your case. Simply put, Statutes of Limitations are the time periods set by law in which you are permitted to pursue legal action.
Statutes of Limitations not only vary greatly from state to state, but also vary greatly within each state depending on how you were injured. Whether you were injured in a car accident, through medical malpractice, on the job or on public property affects the time frame you have to bring a case.
Sometimes a Statute of Limitation appears to be simple. For example, in New York, you have two and one half years to bring a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, the time varies depending on whether the injured party is an adult or a minor; on when the injured party first discovered the act of negligence or on whether the injured party had continuous treatment from the negligent party.
If you believe you have been injured through someone’s act of negligence, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will analyze your case and advise you whether you have a case … and, as important, whether there is still time to bring your case.
Below is a list of personal injury Statutes of Limitations by state. These statutes only apply to basic personal injury actions such as car accidents, trip and falls etc. As Statutes of Limitations are subject to change, always consult with an attorney on any specific statute you may be concerned about.
PERSONAL INJURY STATUES OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE
• Alabama – 2 years Title 6, Ch. 2, 6-2-38
• Alaska Statute of Limitations – 2 years Sec. 9.10.070
• Arizona Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 12, Article 3, Sec. 12-542
• Arkansas Statute of Limitations – 3 years (libel, wrongful death), 2 years med malpractice; 1 year
slander Secs. 16-56-104, 16-56-105, 16-114-203, 16-62-102
• California Statute of Limitations – 2 years for intentional torts; 1 year for slander, libel Code of
Civ. Proc. Sec. 335.1, 340
• Colorado Statute of Limitations – 2 years Colo. Rev. Stat. Sec. 13-80-102
• Connecticut Statute of Limitations – 2 years Conn. Gen. State. Sec. 52-584
• Delaware Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 10, Ch. 81, Sec. 8119
• DC Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 12, Ch. 3, Sec. 12-301
• Florida Statute of Limitations – 4 years Title 8, Ch. 95, Sec. 95.11
• Georgia Statute of Limitations – 2 years Sec. 9-3-33
• Hawaii – 2 years Rev. Stat. Sec. 657.7
• Idaho Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 5, Ch. 2, Sec. 5-219
• Illinois Statute of Limitations – 2 years Ch. 735, Act 5, Art 13, Sec. 13-202
• Indiana Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 34, Art. 11, Ch. 2, Sec. 34-11-2-4
• Iowa Statute of Limitations – 2 years Chapter 614, Section 614.1
• Kansas Statute of Limitations – 2 years Chapter 60, Art 5, Sec. 60-513
• Kentucky Statute of Limitations – 1 year Title 36, Chapter 413, Sec. 413.140
• Louisiana Statute of Limitations – 1 year Ci. Code. Art. 3492
• Maine Statute of Limitations – 6 years Title 14,Part 2, Ch. 205, Sub. 1, Sec. 752
• Maryland Statute of Limitations – 3 years Courts and Judicial Proceedings, Sec. 5-101
• Massachusetts Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 5, Ch. 260, Secs. 2A and 4
• Michigan Statute of Limitations – 3 years Chapter 600, Act 236, Ch. 58, Sec. 600.5805, number 9
• Minnesota Statute of Limitations – 2 years Ch. 541, Sec 541.05, 541.07
• Mississippi Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 15, Ch. 1, Sec. 15-1-49
• Missouri Statute of Limitations – 5 years Title 35, Ch. 516, Sec. 516.120
• Montana Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 27, Ch. 2, 27-2-204 and 27-2-207
• Nebraska Statute of Limitations – 4 years Title 25, Section 207, 25-207
• Nevada Statute of Limitations – 2 years Chapter 11, Sec 11.190
• New Hampshire Statute of Limitations – 3 years Chapter 508, Sec. 508.4
• New Jersey Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 2A, Ch. 14, Sec. 2A:14-2
• New Mexico Statute of Limitations – 3 years Ch. 37, Art. 1, Sec. 37-1-8
• New York Statute of Limitations – 3 years Civil Practice Laws and Rules, Art. 2, Sec. 214
• N. Carolina Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 1, Section 1-52
• N. Dakota Statute of Limitations – 6 years; 2 years in wrongful death Title 28, Ch. 1, Secs. 28-01-
16 and 28-01-18
• Ohio Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 23, Ch. 5, Sec. 2305.10
• Oklahoma Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 12, Ch. 3, Sec. 95
• Oregon Statute of Limitations – 2 years Ch. 12, Sec. 12.110
• Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations – 2 years 42 PA Con. Stat. Section 5524
• Rhode Island Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 9, Ch. 1, Sec. 9-1-14
• S. Carolina Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 15, Ch. 3, Sec. 15-3-530
• S. Dakota Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 15, Ch. 2, Sec. 15-2-14
• Tennessee Statute of Limitations – 1 year Title 28, Ch. 3, Sec. 28-3-104
• Texas Statute of Limitations – 2 years Civ. Prac. & Rem Code, Title 2, Ch. 16, Sec. 16.003
• Utah Statute of Limitations – 4 years Title 78, Ch. 12, Sec. 78-12-25
• Vermont Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 12, Part 2, Ch. 23, Subch. 2, Sec. 512
• Virginia Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 8.01, Ch. 4, Sec. 8.01-243
• Washington Statute of Limitations – 3 years Title 4, Ch. 16, Sec. 4.16.080
• West Virginia Statute of Limitations – 2 years Title 55, Ch. 2, Sec. 55-2-12
• Wisconsin Statute of Limitations – 3 years Chapter 893, Sec. 893.54
• Wyoming Statute of Limitations – 4 years Title 1, Ch. 3, Sec. 1-3-105
