Statute of limitations by state
How long you have to file a claim after a car accident or other injury, medical malpractice, a wrongful death or a work injury, in all 50 states and Washington, DC. Miss the deadline and you can lose the right to compensation.
Last reviewed October 2026
- Most common
- 2 years
- 25 states for injury claims
- Shortest
- 1 year
- Kentucky and Tennessee
- Longest
- 6 years
- Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota
Check your deadline
For injury and car accident claims. Pick your state and the date of the accident.
Your estimated deadline will show here.
An estimate only. Exceptions such as the discovery rule, minors or claims against the government can change the real deadline.
Deadlines in every state
Time to file a lawsuit, counted from the date of the injury (for wrongful death, usually from the date of death). Tap a state for exceptions and the law.
What can change your deadline
Claims against the government
A city, county or state agency often needs a written notice of claim within months, sometimes 90 days.
The discovery rule
Some injuries, like a missed diagnosis, are not obvious at first. The clock may start when you discovered it.
Minors
For a child, many states pause the clock until age 18. Malpractice often has stricter limits.
Outer limits
Malpractice and some other claims have a final cut-off (a statute of repose) even when the discovery rule applies.
Workers' compensation also has a much shorter deadline to tell your employer about the injury, often 30 days or less. Report a work injury right away.
Not sure where you stand?
A free case review can tell you whether you still have time to file.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change and exceptions apply; confirm your deadline with a licensed attorney in your state. Compiled from state statutes and cross-checked against published 50-state surveys; last reviewed October 2026.
