How long do you have to sue? Every state
Each state sets a deadline, the statute of limitations, for filing a lawsuit. Miss it and the case is usually lost. Here are the main deadlines in each state, each linked to the statute.
This site is growing. New records are added every day once they are checked against official sources. 12 states published so far.
| Written contract | Property damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 years | 4 years on a contract founded upon an instrument in writing (Code Civ. Proc. 337(a)). | 3 years for trespass upon or injury to real property, or for taking, detaining or injuring |
| Florida | 2 years | 5 years on a contract, obligation or liability founded on a written instrument (Fla. Stat. | 4 years for trespass on real property or for taking, detaining or injuring personal proper |
| Georgia | 2 years | 6 years after a simple written contract becomes due and payable (O.C.G.A. 9-3-24). | |
| Illinois | 2 years | ||
| Michigan | 3 years | 6 years for breach of contract not described elsewhere in the section (MCL 600.5807(9)). | |
| New Jersey | 2 years | 6 years on a contractual claim or liability, express or implied, not under seal (N.J.S.A. | 6 years for trespass to real property or tortious injury to real or personal property (N.J |
| New York | 3 years | 6 years on a contractual obligation or liability, express or implied (CPLR 213(2)). | 3 years to recover damages for an injury to property (CPLR 214(4)). |
| North Carolina | 3 years | 3 years on a contract, obligation or liability arising out of a contract, express or impli | 3 years for taking, detaining, converting or injuring goods or chattels (G.S. 1-52(4)). |
| Ohio | 2 years | 6 years on an agreement, contract or promise in writing (R.C. 2305.06). | 2 years for injuring personal property (R.C. 2305.10(A)). |
| Pennsylvania | 2 years | 4 years on a contract, obligation or liability founded upon a writing (42 Pa.C.S. 5525(a)( | 2 years for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, and for waste or trespass on |
| Texas | 2 years | 2 years for trespass for injury to the estate or property of another, and for conversion o | |
| Virginia | 2 years | 5 years on a written and signed contract (Va. Code 8.01-246(A)(2)). | 5 years after the cause of action accrues (Va. Code 8.01-243(B)). |