Statute of Limitations Lookup
Pick the kind of claim and the date it happened to see California's filing deadline, the statute behind it and the exceptions that can change it.
Most California injury claims must be filed within 2 years, property damage within 3 years, written contracts and debts within 4 years, and oral contracts within 2 years. Claims against a government agency need a written claim within 6 months.
Statute of Limitations Lookup
Last Day to File
California statutes of limitations
Injury
| Claim | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Personal injury (car accident, slip and fall, assault) | 2 years from the date of the injury | CCP 335.1 |
| Wrongful death | 2 years from the date of death | CCP 335.1 |
| Medical malpractice | 3 years from the date of the injury | CCP 340.5 |
| Injury from exposure to a toxic substance | 2 years from the date of the injury | CCP 340.8 |
| Sexual assault (age 18 or older) | 10 years from the date of the last act | CCP 340.16 |
| Childhood sexual assault | No time limit | CCP 340.1 |
Property
| Claim | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Damage to or theft of personal property (including a vehicle) | 3 years from the date of the damage or taking | CCP 338(c) |
| Trespass or damage to land or a building | 3 years from the date of the damage | CCP 338(b) |
| Construction defect you could see on inspection | 4 years from substantial completion of the work | CCP 337.1 |
| Hidden (latent) construction defect | 10 years from substantial completion of the work | CCP 337.15 |
Contracts and money
| Claim | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Breach of a written contract | 4 years from the date of the breach | CCP 337(a) |
| Breach of an oral contract | 2 years from the date of the breach | CCP 339 |
| Breach of a contract to sell goods, or of a product warranty | 4 years from the breach (for a warranty, usually delivery) | Commercial Code 2725 |
| Collecting a debt (credit card, open account, written loan) | 4 years from the last payment or the date of default | CCP 337 |
| Fraud or mistake | 3 years from when you discovered the fraud | CCP 338(d) |
| Claim based on a statute, such as unpaid wages under the Labor Code | 3 years from the date of the violation | CCP 338(a) |
| Unfair business practices (Business and Professions Code 17200) | 4 years from the date of the violation | B&P Code 17208 |
Other civil
| Claim | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Libel or slander | 1 year from the date of publication | CCP 340(c) |
| Legal malpractice | 4 years from the date of the lawyer's error | CCP 340.6 |
| Job discrimination, harassment or retaliation (FEHA) | 3 years from the date of the unlawful act | Gov. Code 12960(e)(5), 12965(c)(1)(D) |
Claims against a government agency
| Claim | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Injury, death or property damage caused by a city, county, state agency or school district | 6 months from the date of the incident | Gov. Code 911.2, 945.6 |
| Other claims against a government agency (such as a contract) | 1 year from the date the claim arose | Gov. Code 911.2, 945.6 |
Other civil
| Claim | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Any other civil claim not covered by a specific statute | 4 years from the date the claim arose | CCP 343 |
| Enforcing a money judgment | 10 years from the date the judgment was entered | CCP 683.020 |
Criminal (deadline for prosecutors to file charges)
| Claim | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Murder and other crimes punishable by death or life in prison; embezzlement of public money | No time limit | Penal Code 799 |
| Felony punishable by 8 or more years | 6 years from the date of the offense | Penal Code 800 |
| Other felonies | 3 years from the date of the offense | Penal Code 801 |
| Most misdemeanors | 1 year from the date of the offense | Penal Code 802(a) |
What can change your deadline
The statute of limitations usually starts when the injury or breach happens, but several rules can move it. The discovery rule starts some clocks only when you found, or should have found, the problem. The clock is paused while the injured person is under 18 or lacks legal capacity (CCP 352) and for some periods the defendant is out of state (CCP 351). A contract can shorten some periods. Claims against public entities need a government claim first, with much shorter deadlines. Because a missed deadline usually ends the claim for good, talk to a lawyer well before it, not on the last day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in California?
2 years from the date of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). Claims against a city, county or state agency need a written government claim within 6 months first.
What is the statute of limitations on debt in California?
4 years for written contracts, credit cards and other accounts (CCP 337). After that a creditor cannot sue or start arbitration to collect. Only a signed written acknowledgment or promise to pay extends it.
How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in California?
4 years for a written contract and 2 years for an oral one, from the date of the breach. Contracts for the sale of goods have 4 years under the Commercial Code.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in California?
Three years from the injury or one year from when you discovered it (or should have), whichever comes first (CCP 340.5). The three-year limit is extended only for fraud, intentional concealment or an object left in the body.
Does the statute of limitations stop running for a minor?
For most claims, yes: the clock does not run while the injured person is under 18 (CCP 352). Claims against public entities and medical malpractice have their own rules, so check those separately.
What is the deadline to sue a government agency in California?
You must first file a written claim with the agency: within 6 months for injury, death or property damage and 1 year for other claims (Government Code 911.2). If the claim is rejected in writing, you have 6 months to sue.
This tool gives general information only and is not legal advice. Deadlines depend on the facts of each case, and courts decide when a claim accrued and whether a tolling rule applies. Sources: Code of Civil Procedure 335.1-343, 352, 360 and 683.020; Commercial Code 2725; Business and Professions Code 17208; Government Code 911.2, 945.6, 12960 and 12965; Penal Code 799-802.