Statute of Limitations in District of Columbia
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in District of Columbia? In District of Columbia, the statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury, 3 years for written contracts and 1 year for defamation; most other civil claims fall between 1 and 3 years. Every period below is linked to its official District of Columbia statute.
This tool provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Limitation periods depend on discovery rules, tolling, statutes of repose, and the specific facts. Always verify against the cited statute or consult a District of Columbia attorney.
District of Columbia statute of limitations by claim type
Every District of Columbia civil deadline below is quoted from the statute and linked to its official text. Verified Jun 13, 2026 against the official District of Columbia statutes (code.dccouncil.gov).
| Claim type | Limitation period | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8) | residual 3-year period |
| Wrongful death | 2 years | D.C. Code § 16-2702 | 2 years after the death (raised from 1 yr by D.C. Law 19-177) |
| Written contract | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(7) | simple contract; under seal 12 yrs |
| Oral contract | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(7) | |
| Property damage | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(3) | |
| Medical malpractice | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8) | |
| Defamation (libel/slander) | 1 year | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(4) | |
| Debt collection | 3 years | D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(7) |
Enter a date of incident in the lookup above to estimate your exact filing deadline and add a reminder to your calendar.
District of Columbia deadlines at a glance
In District of Columbia, civil filing deadlines run from 1 year (defamation) to 3 years (personal injury, written contract, oral contract, property damage, medical malpractice and debt collection). Its 3 years personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states.
Several District of Columbia claims carry specific accrual, discovery, or repose rules worth noting:
- Personal injury (3 years): residual 3-year period (D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8)).
- Wrongful death (2 years): 2 years after the death (raised from 1 yr by D.C. Law 19-177) (D.C. Code § 16-2702).
- Written contract (3 years): simple contract; under seal 12 yrs (D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(7)).
New to limitation periods? Read what a statute of limitations is: how the clock accrues, the discovery rule, and tolling.
The most-searched District of Columbia deadlines
- Personal injury & car accidents: 3 years. Injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the incident (D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8)).
- Debt: 3 years. Most debt is time-barred after 3 years (D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(7)). A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock, so respond to a collector with a validation or dispute letter. Find a letter template →
- Defamation: 1 year. Libel and slander (D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(4)).
- Contracts: 3 years. Written agreements (D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(7)).
Count the exact filing date
A limitation period gives you the year; the deadline calculator counts the precise date (answer windows, court days, and holidays included) and exports it to your calendar.
Open the District of Columbia deadline calculator →District of Columbia statute of limitations FAQ
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What is the statute of limitations in District of Columbia?
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What is the statute of limitations on debt in District of Columbia?
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in District of Columbia?
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