Statute of Limitations Calculator

About the Statute of Limitations Calculator

The statute of limitations is the legal time limit within which a lawsuit or claim must be filed. This page turns an incident date and limitation-period assumption into a worksheet date so you can compare scenarios.

Because limitation periods vary by claim type and jurisdiction, the result should be treated as a planning estimate rather than a final legal conclusion. It helps you organize dates and spot when a claim may need immediate review, but it does not replace jurisdiction-specific advice on accrual, tolling, or notice requirements.

When This Page Helps

A simple deadline worksheet is useful when you want to turn an incident date and a limitation-period assumption into a calendar date you can track. It is especially helpful when the accrual date or tolling assumptions are still being reviewed.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Enter the date the incident or breach occurred (accrual date).
2. Enter the statute of limitations period in years for your claim type.
3. Review the calculated filing date.
4. Check the days remaining until the worksheet date.
5. Consider tolling exceptions that may extend the deadline in your jurisdiction.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• File well before the estimated date if the deadline is near.
• The clock may start when you knew or should have known about the harm (discovery rule).
• Minors often have tolled statutes of limitations until they reach the age of majority.
• Tolling may apply if the defendant is absent from the state or conceals the wrongdoing.
• Some claims have very short deadlines: government tort claims often require notice within 6 months.
• Written contracts usually have longer limitation periods than oral contracts.
• Confirm the governing rule set before relying on the worksheet for a real filing decision.

Claim Type Still Matters

Contract claims, personal-injury claims, fraud claims, and government claims often use different limitation periods. The first step is identifying the right claim category before relying on any countdown.

Accrual and Tolling Can Change the Date

Some claims run from the date of injury, while others may run from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Tolling rules for minors, incapacity, absence from the state, or fraudulent concealment can also change the final date.

Use the Result as a Review Tool

This page is best used to organize dates for follow-up, not to make a final filing decision. If the claim is close to the deadline, treat the result as a prompt to confirm the governing statute and any exceptions with counsel immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the statute of limitations?

  The statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. Once the time passes, a claim may be challenged as untimely. Each type of claim has its own limitation period.

• When does the statute of limitations start running?

  The clock typically starts on the date the harm occurred (the accrual date). Under the discovery rule, it may start when the injured party knew or should have known about the harm. This is important for claims involving fraud or latent injuries.

• What are common statute of limitations periods?

  Personal injury: 2–3 years. Breach of written contract: 4–6 years. Breach of oral contract: 2–4 years. Property damage: 3–6 years. Fraud: 3–6 years. Medical malpractice: 1–3 years. These vary significantly by state.

• Can the statute of limitations be extended?

  Yes, through tolling. Common grounds include the plaintiff being a minor, the defendant being out of state, the plaintiff being incapacitated, or the defendant concealing wrongdoing. Some states also toll during active settlement negotiations.

• What happens if I miss the statute of limitations?

  If you file after the limitation period has passed, the other side may raise untimeliness as a defense and the case may be dismissed. Exceptions and tolling rules can change that outcome.

• Does the statute of limitations apply to criminal cases?

  Yes, most crimes have statutes of limitations, though serious crimes like murder often have no limitation period. Felonies typically have longer periods than misdemeanors. This calculator focuses on civil claims.