HowLongUSA

Filing deadlines by state

How long you generally have to file a lawsuit in each US state and DC. Deadlines can start later, pause or be shortened depending on the facts, so open your state for details and the official law.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Missing a deadline can end a claim. If a deadline may be close, speak with a lawyer licensed in your state now.

StatePersonal injuryMedical malpracticeWrongful death
Alabama2 years2 years (6 mo. after discovery)2 years from death
Alaska2 years2 years2 years from death
Arizona2 years2 years2 years
Arkansas3 years2 years3 years
California2 years3 years (1 yr after discovery)2 years
Colorado2 years2 years2 years
Connecticut2 years2 years2 years
Delaware2 years2 years2 years
District of Columbia3 years3 years2 years
Florida2 years2 years2 years
Georgia2 years2 years (5-year repose)2 years
Hawaii2 years2 years (6-year repose)2 years
Idaho2 years2 years2 years
Illinois2 years2 years (4-year repose)2 years
Indiana2 years2 years2 years
Iowa2 years2 years (6-year repose)2 years
Kansas2 years2 years (4-year repose)2 years
Kentucky1 year1 year (5-year repose)1 year
Louisiana2 years (incidents on or after July 1, 2024)1 year (3-year repose)1 year from death or 2 years from the injury, whichever is longer
Maine6 years3 years3 years
Maryland3 years5 years from injury or 3 years from discovery3 years from death
Massachusetts3 years3 years; max 7 years (repose)3 years from death or discovery
Michigan3 years2 years (or 6 months from discovery); max 6 years3 years (saving period under § 600.5852)
Minnesota6 years (negligence) / 2 years (intentional torts)4 years3 years from death; max 6 years from act
Mississippi3 years2 years; max 7 years (repose)3 years (or applicable underlying tort SOL) Under review
Missouri5 years2 years3 years
Montana3 years2 years from injury or discovery (whichever is later); 5-year outer limit3 years
Nebraska4 years2 years (or 1 from discovery); max 10 years2 years from death
Nevada2 years3 years (or 2 from discovery); whichever first2 years from death
New Hampshire3 years3 years (with discovery)Generally 3 years Under review
New Jersey2 years2 years2 years from death
New Mexico3 years3 years3 years from death
New York3 years2 years 6 months2 years from death
North Carolina3 years3 years2 years from death
North Dakota6 years2 years2 years from death
Ohio2 years1 year2 years from death
Oklahoma2 years2 years2 years from death
Oregon2 years2 years3 years from injury discovery
Pennsylvania2 years2 years2 years from death
Rhode Island3 years3 years3 years from death
South Carolina3 years3 years (max 6 from occurrence)3 years
South Dakota3 years2 years3 years
Tennessee1 year1 year1 year
Texas2 years2 years2 years
Utah4 years2 years from discovery Under review2 years
Vermont3 years3 years (or 2 from discovery)2 years
Virginia2 years2 years2 years
Washington3 years3 years (or 1 from discovery)3 years
West Virginia2 years2 years2 years
Wisconsin3 years3 years (or 1 from discovery)3 years
Wyoming4 years2 years2 years

How we check these deadlines

Each period was compared across three independent 50-state surveys of state law. Where they disagreed, we checked the state's official code and corrected the figure. Every entry links to the official statute so you can read it yourself. Last checked: November 12, 2026.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official code confirmed directly on the state's code site   Under review the rule depends on the type of claim or is being re-checked; read the linked statute.