Free Educational Tool

Statute ofLimitations Checker.

Look up the general deadline to file a personal injury claim in your state — in plain English. Select your state and claim type to see the applicable statute of limitations, the governing statute, and tolling rules that may apply.

✓ Free — no signup required✓ All 50 states + DC✓ Updated for 2026

How to check your statute of limitations

  1. Select your state from the dropdown.
  2. Choose your type of claim (personal injury, medical malpractice, etc.).
  3. Get your deadline in plain English — with the governing statute cited.
SOL Checker
Statute of Limitations · All 50 States + DC
Free
01

What is a statute of limitations?

A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a civil lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you permanently lose the right to pursue your claim — regardless of how strong it is. The clock typically starts on the date of the injury or the date you discovered it.
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What is tolling?

Tolling "pauses" the statute of limitations clock under specific circumstances — when the injured party is a minor, when the defendant is out of state, when fraud concealed the injury, or in other situations defined by state law. Tolling rules vary significantly by state and claim type.
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Why this tool is educational only

Deadlines depend on the specific facts of your case, when the injury occurred, who is named as a defendant, and which exceptions may apply. This tool provides the general statutory period. Your actual deadline may differ. Always verify with a licensed attorney in your state.

Browse by state

Click any state below to see its general personal injury statute of limitations. Each state page links to the other claim types (car accident, premises, medical malpractice, wrongful death).

Frequently asked questions

What is a statute of limitations?
A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum amount of time you have to file a lawsuit after an event occurs. For personal injury cases, the clock typically starts on the date of the injury. Once the deadline passes, you generally lose the right to sue — regardless of how strong your case is.
How long is the statute of limitations for personal injury?
It varies by state. Most states set the deadline between 1 and 6 years. For example, Florida allows 2 years for most personal injury claims, Texas allows 2 years, and Illinois allows 2 years. Some states like Maine and North Dakota allow up to 6 years. Use the free checker above to look up your state.
What is tolling and how does it affect my deadline?
Tolling pauses or extends the statute of limitations clock under certain circumstances. Common tolling situations include: the injured person was a minor at the time of injury, the injured person was mentally incapacitated, the defendant left the state, or the injury was not discovered right away (the "discovery rule"). Tolling rules vary significantly by state.
Does the statute of limitations differ by type of claim?
Yes. Even within the same state, different types of claims have different deadlines. Medical malpractice cases often have shorter deadlines than general personal injury. Wrongful death claims may have different timelines. Product liability, premises liability, and car accident claims can also differ. Always check the specific claim type for your state.
What happens if I miss the statute of limitations deadline?
If you file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, the defendant can ask the court to dismiss your case. In almost all situations, the court will grant that dismissal. There are very limited exceptions (such as tolling), which is why it's critical to know your deadline early.
Is this tool legal advice?
No. This tool provides general educational information about statute of limitations deadlines by state. Laws change, and individual circumstances (like tolling) can affect your specific deadline. For legal advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Why knowing your statute of limitations matters

Every personal injury case has a filing deadline set by state law. Miss it, and you lose your right to compensation — no matter how clear the fault or how serious the injury. Unfortunately, many people don't learn about their deadline until it's too late.

Caseworth's free Statute of Limitations Checker covers all 50 states plus DC. We break down the deadlines for personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, and product liability claims in plain English, with citations to the actual statutes.

Unlike generic legal websites, our tool is powered by AI that reads and summarizes the actual legal code — so you get accurate, up-to-date information specific to your state and claim type.

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Educational Notice — Not Legal Advice
This tool provides general statute of limitations information based on publicly available state statutes as of 2026. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney. Statutes of limitations vary by the specific circumstances of each case, and special tolling rules may extend or shorten the general period shown. Caseworth makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of this information. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation.