Statute of Limitations Calculator: Has Your Legal Claim Expired?

The statute of limitations is the deadline by which a lawsuit must be filed. Miss it by a day and your claim is permanently barred — no exceptions, no extensions, no sympathy from the court. These deadlines are strict, and they vary by state, by claim type, and sometimes by who the defendant is. The CalcHub Statute of Limitations Calculator helps you determine whether the clock has run out — and if not, how much time you have left.

This calculator is for general information only. Always consult an attorney for advice specific to your situation, as statutes of limitations can be tolled or modified by circumstances not captured here.

Common Statutes of Limitations

Claim Type	Typical Range	Notes
Personal injury	1–6 years	Most states: 2–3 years
Medical malpractice	2–3 years	Discovery rule often applies
Contract (written)	4–10 years	Varies significantly by state
Contract (oral)	2–5 years	Shorter than written in most states
Property damage	2–6 years	—
Fraud	3–6 years	Discovery rule typically applies
Defamation	1–3 years	Shorter than most torts
Employment discrimination	180–300 days (EEOC)	Must file EEOC charge first
Wrongful death	1–3 years	—
Civil rights (federal)	2 years (typically)	Some states have different periods

The "Discovery Rule"

For some claims, the limitations period doesn't start at the date of the incident — it starts when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the harm. This is common in medical malpractice and fraud cases where the injury isn't immediately apparent.

The calculator asks whether the discovery rule applies to your claim type and, if so, when you first became aware of the harm.

Tolling — When the Clock Pauses

Certain circumstances "toll" (pause) the limitations period:

• Minor plaintiff: Clock typically doesn't start until the minor turns 18
• Defendant out of jurisdiction: Clock may pause if defendant leaves the state
• Plaintiff mentally incapacitated: Tolled while incapacity continues
• Fraudulent concealment: If defendant actively concealed the cause of action
• Bankruptcy filing: Automatic stay can pause civil claims temporarily

Government Defendants: Much Shorter Deadlines

Suing a government entity (city, county, state, federal agency) involves special notice requirements and often much shorter deadlines — sometimes as short as 6 months or even 90 days for the initial notice of claim. These precede and are separate from the formal lawsuit deadline.

Using the Calculator

Enter:

• Date of incident (or date of discovery, if the discovery rule applies)


• Claim type


• State where the claim arose


• Whether any tolling circumstances apply

The calculator returns the filing deadline and how many days remain.

What happens if I file the day the statute expires?

Generally, you need to file AND have the complaint served before the deadline, or in some jurisdictions just file with the court clerk. The specific rule varies by state. Don't rely on cutting it this close — courts can be strict about technical compliance.

My incident happened years ago — is it definitely too late?

Not necessarily. Enter your dates into the calculator and check for applicable tolling. Discovery rule, minor tolling, and other factors can extend the period substantially. An attorney review is worth it for any claim that might be near the deadline.

Do international claims have different limitation periods?

Yes. Foreign courts apply their own limitation laws, and some US states have "borrowing statutes" that apply the shorter of the forum state's or the place-of-injury's limitation period.

Related Calculators

• Legal Interest Calculator — Calculate interest that has accrued since the date of the claim
• Court Fee Calculator — Budget filing costs once you confirm you're within the deadline
• Settlement Calculator — Assess settlement value before the deadline passes