A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit after an incident occurs. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to sue entirely, regardless of the strength of your case. Use this calculator to find the general filing deadline for common claim types across major US states.
Calculate Your Deadline
The date the incident occurred or was discovered
Details
- Incident Date
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- State
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- Claim Type
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- Limitation Period
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- Filing Deadline
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Important Legal Disclaimer
This tool provides general estimates only and is not legal advice. Actual statutes of limitations may be affected by tolling provisions, the discovery rule, defendant absence from the state, plaintiff's age or incapacity, and other factors. Government claims often have much shorter notice deadlines. Always consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before relying on any deadline.
Statute of Limitations by State (Years)
| State | Personal Injury | Property Damage | Contract (Written) | Contract (Oral) | Med. Malpractice | Fraud | Debt |
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Periods shown are general guidelines. Exceptions may apply. Verify with a licensed attorney.
How to Use the Statute of Limitations Calculator
Every legal claim has a deadline. A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time you have to file a lawsuit after an incident. If you miss the deadline, courts will almost certainly dismiss your case, no matter how strong your evidence. This calculator helps you estimate that deadline quickly so you can take action before it is too late.
Step 1: Enter the Date of Incident
Select the date when the incident occurred using the date picker. In some cases, particularly for medical malpractice and fraud, the relevant date may be when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the harm rather than the date it happened. This is known as the "discovery rule." Use the discovery date if it applies to your situation.
Step 2: Select Your State
Choose the US state where the incident took place or where you plan to file suit. The calculator covers ten of the most populous states individually: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. For other states, select "Other / General" to see a common range. Keep in mind that statutes of limitations vary significantly from state to state, so using the correct jurisdiction matters.
Step 3: Choose the Claim Type
Select the type of legal claim from the dropdown. Available claim types include personal injury, property damage, breach of written contract, breach of oral contract, medical malpractice, fraud, and debt collection. Different claim types carry different statute of limitations periods. For example, written contracts typically have longer filing windows than oral agreements, and personal injury deadlines are often shorter than contract claims.
Step 4: Review Your Results
After clicking Calculate, you will see the filing deadline date, the number of days remaining, and a status indicator. Active means you still have time. Urgent (under 90 days) means you should act immediately. Expired means the general deadline has passed. The tool also displays state-specific notes where relevant, such as special rules for medical malpractice or government claims.
Important Limitations
This calculator provides general estimates and does not account for tolling (pausing the clock), the discovery rule, claims against government entities (which often have shorter notice periods), or other exceptions. Minors and incapacitated persons may have extended deadlines. Claims involving multiple defendants or cross-state jurisdictions can also change the analysis. Always consult a licensed attorney before making decisions based on any statute of limitations calculator.
FAQ
Is this statute of limitations calculator free?
Yes, this tool is completely free with no signup or account required. All calculations run locally in your browser. No personal data is sent to any server.
Is this legal advice?
No. This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Statute of limitations rules have many exceptions, tolling provisions, and special circumstances. Always consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.
What is a statute of limitations?
A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time period within which legal proceedings may be initiated after an event. Once the deadline passes, you generally lose the right to file a lawsuit for that claim, regardless of its merits.
What is tolling and how does it affect the deadline?
Tolling pauses or extends the statute of limitations under certain circumstances, such as when the injured party is a minor, mentally incapacitated, or when the defendant leaves the state. This calculator does not account for tolling. Consult an attorney if tolling may apply to your case.
Does the discovery rule affect when the clock starts?
Yes. In many states, the statute of limitations for certain claims (especially medical malpractice and fraud) begins when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, not necessarily when it occurred. This calculator uses the date you provide as the start date.
Are these statute of limitations periods accurate for every case?
The periods shown are general guidelines based on common state statutes. Many states have exceptions for minors, government entities, and specific claim types. Actual deadlines can vary based on case specifics. Always verify with a licensed attorney.
Is my data private when using this tool?
Yes. Everything runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No dates, claim details, or personal information are transmitted to any server. Your data stays on your device.