General Law

Statute of Limitations Calculator

Check if your legal claim has expired. Select incident date, case type, and state to calculate filing deadlines for civil lawsuits.

Free to Use No Data Stored Updated April 2026

Statute of Limitations Calculator

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Why Deadlines Matter in Law

In the legal system, timing is everything. If you are injured in a car crash, you cannot simply wait 10 years to decide to sue the at-fault driver. The statute of limitations ensures that lawsuits are filed while evidence is still fresh and witnesses' memories are reliable.

Every state has its own schedule of limitations. For example, a breach of written contract claim gives you 4 years in California, but 6 years in New York. A personal injury claim is generally 2 years in Texas, but 3 years in Massachusetts.

Critical Warning: Do not wait until the last minute!

This calculator provides the standard statutory limit. It does not account for tolling, the discovery rule, or notice of claim requirements against government agencies. If you approach a deadline, attorneys may decline your case because they don't have time to investigate. Seek legal counsel immediately if you suspect you have a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. Once this time period runs out, you generally lose your right to file a lawsuit, regardless of how strong your case is.

Typically, the clock starts on the date the injury or breach of contract occurred. However, under the "discovery rule," the clock may be paused (tolled) until the victim discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, the injury.

Yes, this is called "tolling." Common reasons for tolling include the victim being a minor, the defendant leaving the state, or the victim being mentally incompetent. When the condition ends (e.g., the minor turns 18), the clock starts or resumes.

Claims against government entities almost always have much shorter, strict deadlines (often called "notice of claim" statutes), sometimes requiring you to file a notice within 30, 60, or 90 days of the injury. This calculator does NOT cover government claims.

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