What this guide covers
  1. The basic rule
  2. When the clock starts
  3. Government defendants
  4. Why you should not wait

The basic rule

Every state has a statute of limitations — a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Miss it, and your claim is gone forever. Periods range from one year (Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee) to six years (Maine, North Dakota), with most states falling between two and three years.

When the clock starts

Usually the clock starts on the date of the injury. The major exception is the discovery rule, which can delay the start until you knew or should have known about the injury — common in medical malpractice and toxic-exposure cases.

Government defendants

Was your injury someone else's fault? Our guides explain when a claim is worth pursuing — and what it may be worth.
Learn What Your Case May Be Worth →

Suing a city, county, state, or federal government almost always requires a notice of claim filed within 60 to 180 days of the incident. Missing the notice deadline can be just as fatal to your case as missing the lawsuit deadline.

Why you should not wait

Even if your statute is years away, evidence disappears within weeks. Surveillance video is overwritten, witnesses move, and memories fade. The right move is to consult an attorney within days of the injury, not months.