What Is a Statute of Limitations
A plain guide to legal filing deadlines.
A statute of limitations is a legal time limit on filing a lawsuit. This page explains in plain language what the limit is, who it applies to, why the periods differ by state, and how the table on this site is built and kept current.
What the limit is
The limit is a deadline set by state law. If a qualifying lawsuit is filed after the deadline, a court will normally dismiss it, even when the claim is strong and the facts are true. The policy behind the rule is that stale claims are hard to defend: witnesses disappear, records are lost, and evidence decays. The limit pushes people to resolve disputes while the facts are fresh.
Who the limit applies to
The limit applies to the person bringing the claim, not to the person defending it. A plaintiff must file within the window; a defendant may raise the expired limit as a defense. Government entities often have shorter notice deadlines and extra steps, so a claim against a city or agency can expire faster than a claim against a private party.
Why states differ
Each state writes its own civil practice code, so the same type of claim can have a two-year limit in one state and a six-year limit in another. The differences reflect local policy choices about how long a potential defendant should live with uncertainty. That is why a single national number does not exist and a state-by-state table is the practical reference.
How this table is built
The numbers on this site come from each state’s statutes, summarized as a limit in years plus the citation behind it. The data version is fixed at the year of the last review, and the legal year is shown separately so readers can tell the reference date from the current year. When a state amends a code, the affected cell is updated and the review note is refreshed.
A disclaimer that matters
This is a reference, not legal advice. A real deadline can turn on a discovery rule, a tolling exception, a contract clause, or a local court rule that a table cannot capture. Always confirm the current statute with the state code or a licensed attorney in the relevant state before relying on a number here.
Source: state statutes, last reviewed in 2026. Verify with the current code before relying on any deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a statute of limitations?
It is the legal deadline to file a lawsuit. Once the time runs out, a court will normally dismiss the case even if the claim is valid. The policy is that old disputes are hard to defend because witnesses and records fade.
When does the clock start?
Usually the date of the harmful event, but many claims use a discovery rule that starts the clock when the harm is discovered or should have been discovered. State law controls the trigger, and some claims accrue only when the injury is found.
Can the deadline be extended?
Sometimes. Minors, incapacitated people, or defendants who leave the state may get extra time through tolling. The rules vary by state and claim type, and a few outer dates cannot be extended at all.
How long do I have to sue for debt in California?
California allows four years on most written and open-account debt under Cal. Civ. Proc. Code §337. The period generally runs from the last payment or default, not from when the account was opened, so a recent payment can matter.
What is the statute of limitations for credit card debt in Florida?
Florida allows four years on credit-card and open-account debt under Fla. Stat. §95.11(3). The clock usually starts from the last charge, last payment, or default on the account.
What is the personal injury limit in New York?
New York allows three years for personal injury under C.P.L.R. §214, measured from the date of the injury. Medical malpractice is shorter at two years and six months under §214-a, counted from the act or the end of treatment.
How long is the written contract limit in Texas?
Texas allows four years on written contracts under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.004, and the same four years on most oral contracts. The period runs from the breach, not from when the contract was signed, so a long relationship can still be enforced for years after it ends.
Is the deadline the same in every state?
No. Each state writes its own civil practice code, so the same claim can range from one year to fifteen depending on where it is filed. That state-by-state difference is why a single national number does not exist and a comparison table is the practical reference.
Does this table give legal advice?
No. StatuteLimits is a reference only. Confirm the current deadline with the state code or a licensed attorney before relying on any number, because local exceptions and court rules can change the answer.