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Personal injury filing deadlines by state.

Every U.S. state and the District of Columbia, with the general personal injury statute of limitations and the most common exceptions.

StateCodeFiling deadlineNotes
AlabamaAL2 yearsGovernment claims: shorter notice periods apply.
AlaskaAK2 yearsDiscovery rule applies to latent injuries.
ArizonaAZ2 yearsGovernment claims: 180-day notice.
ArkansasAR3 yearsMedical malpractice: 2 years.
CaliforniaCA2 yearsGovernment claims: 6-month notice.
ColoradoCO2 yearsMotor vehicle accidents: 3 years.
ConnecticutCT2 yearsProduct liability: separate 3-year rule.
DelawareDE2 yearsMedical malpractice: 2 years with discovery rule.
District of ColumbiaDC3 yearsGovernment claims: 6-month notice.
FloridaFL2 yearsReduced from 4 years in 2023 (HB 837).
GeorgiaGA2 yearsProperty damage: 4 years.
HawaiiHI2 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
IdahoID2 yearsGovernment claims: 180-day notice.
IllinoisIL2 yearsMedical malpractice: 2 years, 4-year repose.
IndianaIN2 yearsGovernment claims: 180-day notice.
IowaIA2 yearsDiscovery rule applies to medical claims.
KansasKS2 yearsComparative fault: barred if >50% at fault.
KentuckyKY1 yearMotor vehicle: 2 years from last PIP payment.
LouisianaLA1 yearCalled prescription; one of the shortest in the U.S.
MaineME6 yearsOne of the longest PI statutes.
MarylandMD3 yearsGovernment claims: 1-year notice.
MassachusettsMA3 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
MichiganMI3 yearsNo-fault auto: separate 1-year-back rule.
MinnesotaMN2 yearsSome intentional torts: 6 years.
MississippiMS3 yearsGovernment claims: 1-year notice.
MissouriMO5 yearsAmong the longest PI statutes.
MontanaMT3 yearsMedical malpractice: 3 years, 5-year repose.
NebraskaNE4 yearsMedical malpractice: 2 years with discovery.
NevadaNV2 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
New HampshireNH3 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
New JerseyNJ2 yearsTort Claims Act: 90-day notice.
New MexicoNM3 yearsGovernment claims: 90-day notice.
New YorkNY3 yearsGovernment claims: 90-day notice of claim.
North CarolinaNC3 yearsContributory negligence is a complete bar.
North DakotaND6 yearsAmong the longest PI statutes.
OhioOH2 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
OklahomaOK2 yearsGovernment claims: 1-year notice.
OregonOR2 yearsGovernment claims: 180-day notice.
PennsylvaniaPA2 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
Rhode IslandRI3 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
South CarolinaSC3 yearsGovernment claims: 2 years, separate rules.
South DakotaSD3 yearsMedical malpractice: 2 years.
TennesseeTN1 yearOne of the shortest in the U.S.
TexasTX2 yearsGovernment claims: 6-month notice.
UtahUT4 yearsMedical malpractice: 2 years with discovery.
VermontVT3 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
VirginiaVA2 yearsContributory negligence is a complete bar.
WashingtonWA3 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
West VirginiaWV2 yearsDiscovery rule applies.
WisconsinWI3 yearsGovernment claims: 120-day notice.
WyomingWY4 yearsGovernment claims: 2-year notice.
Sources: Nolo: State Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury; Cornell Legal Information Institute: Statute of Limitations. General PI deadlines only. Medical malpractice, government claims, minors, and discovery-rule cases often differ, verify the statute that applies to your specific situation.

Common exceptions to the standard deadline

  • Discovery rule. The clock starts when the injury was, or should have been, discovered.
  • Minors. Most states toll the statute until the minor turns 18, with caps in some states.
  • Government defendants. Separate notice-of-claim requirements, usually 60 to 365 days.
  • Medical malpractice. Often a separate, shorter statute and a hard outer-limit repose period.
  • Tolling for incapacity. Mental incapacity, military service, defendant absence from state.
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