The statute of limitations sets how long after an event a lawsuit may be filed. Periods vary by state and by claim type, so missing one bars an otherwise valid claim. This reference tool lists the common civil limitations periods for every US state and the District of Columbia.
How it works
Each state has its own statutes setting limitations periods, usually counted in years from when the claim accrued. This tool stores the commonly cited period for five categories — written contracts, oral contracts, personal injury, fraud, and property damage — and, if you enter an accrual date, adds the period to compute an approximate deadline:
deadline = accrual_date + sol_yearsThe discovery rule, tolling, and notice deadlines can move the real date, so treat the result as a starting point rather than the authoritative answer.
Why periods differ across states and claim types
State legislatures set their own limitations periods, and the policy choices differ. Some states give plaintiffs longer windows for fraud because the harm is often hidden and takes time to discover. Most states give written contracts a longer period than oral ones — often two to four years longer — because written terms are easier to prove and the law affords them greater certainty.
Personal injury periods are commonly two or three years, though a handful of states extend them to four or six. Fraud periods are often longer still, particularly when the discovery rule applies: the clock does not start until the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the fraud, which can meaningfully delay accrual.
The five claim categories at a glance
| Claim type | Typical range across states | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 3 to 10 years | Starts on breach date |
| Oral contract | 2 to 6 years | Starts on breach date |
| Personal injury | 1 to 6 years | Usually starts at date of injury |
| Fraud | 2 to 10 years | Often starts on discovery |
| Property damage | 2 to 6 years | Starts on damage date or discovery |
These ranges are general; individual state statutes vary. Always verify against the controlling code.
Common exceptions that change the deadline
Discovery rule: For fraud and many latent-injury claims, accrual is delayed until the plaintiff knew or should have known of the harm. This can extend the window by years beyond the act itself.
Tolling for minors: Most states toll the limitations period while the plaintiff is under 18. The clock starts on their 18th birthday rather than the date of the injury or breach.
Incapacity: Legal incapacity (mental incompetence) tolls the period in most jurisdictions; the clock resumes when capacity is restored.
Defendant out of state: Many statutes toll the period during any time the defendant is absent from the state and therefore not amenable to service.
Government claims: Suing a government entity often requires a pre-suit administrative notice within months (sometimes as few as 90 days) of the injury — far shorter than the civil limitations period. Missing the notice deadline can bar the claim even if the civil period has not expired.
Practical guidance
Use this tool to triage deadlines quickly across multiple states or claim types. Before relying on any computed date, verify the current statute text — legislatures amend these periods and courts interpret accrual differently by jurisdiction. When a deadline is approaching, calendar it conservatively (several weeks before the computed date) and confirm with the controlling state code and, where the claim is significant, with a licensed attorney in that jurisdiction.