Statute of Limitations in Massachusetts
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Massachusetts? In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury, 6 years for written contracts and 3 years for defamation; most other civil claims fall between 3 and 6 years. Every period below is linked to its official Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts attorney.
Massachusetts statute of limitations by claim type
Every Massachusetts civil deadline below is quoted from the statute and linked to its official text. Verified 2026-06-12 against the official Massachusetts statutes (malegislature.gov).
| Claim type | Limitation period | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 3 years | M.G.L. c.260 § 2A | |
| Wrongful death | 3 years | M.G.L. c.229 § 2 | 3 yrs from death or from when the personal representative knew/should have known the basis (discovery) |
| Written contract | 6 years | M.G.L. c.260 § 2 | |
| Oral contract | 6 years | M.G.L. c.260 § 2 | |
| Property damage | 3 years | M.G.L. c.260 § 2A | |
| Medical malpractice | 3 years | M.G.L. c.260 § 4 | 7-year statute of repose |
| Defamation (libel/slander) | 3 years | M.G.L. c.260 § 2A | |
| Debt collection | 6 years | M.G.L. c.260 § 2 |
Enter a date of incident in the lookup above to estimate your exact filing deadline and add a reminder to your calendar.
Massachusetts deadlines at a glance
In Massachusetts, civil filing deadlines run from 3 years (personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, medical malpractice and defamation) to 6 years (written contract, oral contract and debt collection). Its 3 years personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states.
Several Massachusetts claims carry specific accrual, discovery, or repose rules worth noting:
- Wrongful death (3 years): 3 yrs from death or from when the personal representative knew/should have known the basis (discovery) (M.G.L. c.229 § 2).
- Medical malpractice (3 years): 7-year statute of repose (M.G.L. c.260 § 4).
New to limitation periods? Read what a statute of limitations is: how the clock accrues, the discovery rule, and tolling.
The most-searched Massachusetts deadlines
- Personal injury & car accidents: 3 years. Injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the incident (M.G.L. c.260 § 2A).
- Debt: 6 years. Most debt is time-barred after 6 years (M.G.L. c.260 § 2). 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: 3 years. Libel and slander (M.G.L. c.260 § 2A).
- Contracts: 6 years. Written agreements (M.G.L. c.260 § 2).
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 Massachusetts deadline calculator →Statute of limitations in other states
Limitation periods differ in every state. Browse the full 50-state lookup, or jump to a nearby state.
Nearby states: Connecticut · New Hampshire · New York · Rhode Island · Vermont · California
Massachusetts statute of limitations FAQ
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Massachusetts?
What is the statute of limitations in Massachusetts?
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in Massachusetts?
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Massachusetts?
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Massachusetts?
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