Calculate your statute of limitations deadline based on the incident date and applicable limitation period. See days remaining to file your claim.
The statute of limitations is the legal time limit within which a lawsuit or claim must be filed. Once this period expires, the right to sue is generally lost. Calculating your filing deadline accurately is critical to preserving your legal rights.
This calculator determines your filing deadline based on the date the cause of action accrued (typically when the incident, breach, or injury occurred) and the applicable limitation period in years. It also shows how many days remain until the deadline and whether the deadline has already passed.
Statute of limitations periods vary by claim type and jurisdiction. Personal injury claims are typically 2–3 years, contract disputes 3–6 years, and property damage 3–6 years. Some states have unique rules for tolling (pausing) the limitation period under certain circumstances.
Legal professionals, business owners, and individuals alike benefit from transparent statute of limitations calculations when evaluating obligations, settlements, or compliance requirements. Bookmark this page and return whenever circumstances change so you always have current figures at your fingertips.
Missing the statute of limitations deadline means losing your right to sue—regardless of the merits of your case. This calculator provides a clear countdown so you never miss a critical filing deadline. Instant recalculation as you change inputs lets you model multiple scenarios quickly, giving you the data foundation needed for well-informed legal and financial decisions.
Filing Deadline = Incident Date + Limitation Period (years) Days Remaining = Filing Deadline − Today Expired = Days Remaining < 0
Result: Deadline: March 15, 2027 — approximately 395 days remaining
For an incident on March 15, 2024, with a 3-year statute of limitations, the filing deadline is March 15, 2027. As of February 2026, approximately 395 days remain.
Contract claims have the longest limitation periods (4–6 years for written contracts). Personal injury claims are middle-range (2–3 years). Government claims often have the shortest deadlines, sometimes requiring notice within 6–12 months. Knowing your claim type is the first step.
In some cases, the limitation period doesn't start until the plaintiff discovers the injury. This is common in medical malpractice, product liability, and fraud cases. The discovery rule prevents the statute from expiring before the injured party could reasonably know they were harmed.
Consult an attorney immediately when you suspect you may have a legal claim. Even if you're not ready to file, understanding your deadline prevents losing your rights. Some attorneys offer free consultations specifically to evaluate statute of limitations issues.
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 expires, the claim is barred regardless of its merits. Each type of claim has its own limitation period.
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.
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.
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.
If you file after the statute of limitations expires, the defendant will raise it as an affirmative defense and the court will dismiss your case. There are very limited exceptions, such as fraud or duress by the defendant.
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.