Understanding your state’s deadline to file a personal injury claim is essential. Missing your statute of limitations can permanently bar your right to recover damages. Below is a comprehensive table listing personal injury filing deadlines, tolling for minors, and key notes or exceptions for all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Disclaimer: Laws can change. Always verify deadlines with an attorney before taking legal action.
U.S. Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Table
| State | Time Limit | Statute | Notes & Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 years | Ala. Code Title 6. Civil Practice § 6-2-38 | |
| Alaska | 2 years | Alaska Stat. Sec. 09.10.070 | |
| Arizona | 2 years | Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 12-542 | Claims against public entities require notice within 180 days. |
| Arkansas | 3 years | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 | Two-year statute for medical malpractice cases. |
| California | 2 years | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1 | |
| Colorado | 2 years | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102 | Auto accidents are limited to 3 years. |
| Connecticut | 2 years | Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-584 | No tolling for minors |
| Delaware | 2 years | Del. Code Ann. Tit. 10, § 8119 | |
| Florida | 2 years | Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.11 | |
| Georgia | 2 years | Ga. Code Ann. § 9-3-33 | |
| Hawaii | 2 years | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657.7 | |
| Idaho | 2 years | Idaho Code § 5-219 | |
| Illinois | 2 years | Ill. Comp. Stat. 735, Art. 5, § 13-202 | Minors’ cases tolled up to age 18 or 8 years max for med-mal. |
| Indiana | 2 years | Ind. Code Ann. § 34-11-2-4 | Medical malpractice has a 2-year limit regardless of age. |
| Iowa | 2 years | Iowa Code §. 614.1 | |
| Kansas | 2 years | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513 | All claims are barred after 8 years regardless of minority. |
| Kentucky | 1 year | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140 | Motor vehicle cases: 2 years. |
| Louisiana | 2 year | La. Civ. Code Art. 3493.11 and 3493.12 | 1 year statute of limitations for personal injury claims occurring before July 1, 2024 |
| Maine | 6 years | Me. Rev. Stat. Tit. 14, Ch. 205, § 752 | |
| Maryland | 3 years | Md. Courts & Jud. Proc. Code Ann. § 5-101 | Medical malpractice limited to 5 years after injury. |
| Massachusetts | 3 years | Mass. Gen. Laws, Art. 260, § 2A, 4 | |
| Michigan | 3 years | Mich. Comp Laws Sec. 600.5805 | Minors may extend deadline up to 1 year after turning 18. |
| Minnesota | 2 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.05, 541.07 | Medical malpractice cases: 4 years max. |
| Mississippi | 3 years | Miss. Code § 15-1-49 | |
| Missouri | 5 years | Mo. Rev. Stat. Title 35, § 516.120 | 2 years for med-mal; discovery rule limited. |
| Montana | 3 years | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204 | |
| Nebraska | 4 years | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 | 2-year limit for malpractice; tolling limited. |
| Nevada | 2 years | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190 | 6-year cap for malpractice. |
| New Hampshire | 3 years | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508.4 | |
| New Jersey | 2 years | N.J. Stat. § 2a:14-2 | Minor tolling except for birth-related injury claims. |
| New Mexico | 3 years | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-8 | Government claims limited to 90-day notice. |
| New York | 3 years | N.Y. Civ. Prac. Laws & Rules § 214 | Government defendants require notice of claim within 90 days. |
| North Carolina | 3 years | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 | Medical malpractice: 4 years statute of repose. |
| North Dakota | 6 years | N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16, 28-01-18 | |
| Ohio | 2 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 | Tolling restricted; some claims capped by statute of repose. |
| Oklahoma | 2 years | Okla. Stat. Ann. Tit. 12, § 95 | Government claims require advance notice. |
| Oregon | 2 years | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 | 5-year statute of repose for malpractice. |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524 | |
| Rhode Island | 3 years | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14 | Longer for government liability claims. |
| South Carolina | 3 years | S.C. Code § 15-3-530 | Medical malpractice: 6 years maximum. |
| South Dakota | 3 years | S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 15-2-14 | 2 years for malpractice; discovery rule limited. |
| Tennessee | 1 year | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 | No general tolling for minors beyond certain caps. |
| Texas | 2 years | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 | Discovery rule limited; 10-year statute of repose. |
| Utah | 4 years | Utah Code § 78B-2-307 | Medical malpractice limited to 2 years. |
| Vermont | 3 years | Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 12, § 512 | |
| Virginia | 2 years | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243 | |
| Washington | 3 years | Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 4.16.080 | 8-year statute of repose for malpractice claims. |
| West Virginia | 2 years | W. Va. Code § 55-2-12 | Minor tolling applies; discovery rule recognized. |
| Wisconsin | 3 years | Wisc. Stat. § 893.54 | 5-year statute of repose for malpractice claims. |
| Wyoming | 4 years | Wy. Stat. § 1-3-105 | 2-year rule for med-mal; discovery exceptions apply. |
| District of Columbia | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301 |
Quick Summary: The majority of states require filing within 2–3 years. Maine and North Dakota offer 6 years; Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee provide only 1 year. States with limited or no tolling for minors include Connecticut, Louisiana, Kansas, Tennessee, Idaho, and Ohio.
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