Statute of Limitations in Michigan
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Michigan? In Michigan, the statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury, 6 years for written contracts and 1 year for defamation; most other civil claims fall between 1 and 6 years. Every period below is linked to its official Michigan 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 Michigan attorney.
Michigan statute of limitations by claim type
Every Michigan civil deadline below is quoted from the statute and linked to its official text. Verified Jun 13, 2026 against the official Michigan statutes (legislature.mi.gov).
| Claim type | Limitation period | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 3 years | MCL § 600.5805 | negligence; assault/battery 2 yrs |
| Wrongful death | 3 years | MCL § 600.5805(2) | 3 yrs from death/injury (wrongful death under MCL 600.2922 borrows this period) |
| Written contract | 6 years | MCL § 600.5807(9) | |
| Oral contract | 6 years | MCL § 600.5807(9) | |
| Property damage | 3 years | MCL § 600.5805 | |
| Medical malpractice | 2 years | MCL § 600.5805(8) | 2 yrs; 6-month discovery rule; 6-year repose (MCL 600.5838a) |
| Defamation (libel/slander) | 1 year | MCL § 600.5805(11) | libel or slander |
| Debt collection | 6 years | MCL § 600.5807(9) |
Enter a date of incident in the lookup above to estimate your exact filing deadline and add a reminder to your calendar.
Michigan deadlines at a glance
In Michigan, civil filing deadlines run from 1 year (defamation) to 6 years (written contract, oral contract and debt collection). Its 3 years personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states.
Several Michigan claims carry specific accrual, discovery, or repose rules worth noting:
- Personal injury (3 years): negligence; assault/battery 2 yrs (MCL § 600.5805).
- Wrongful death (3 years): 3 yrs from death/injury (wrongful death under MCL 600.2922 borrows this period) (MCL § 600.5805(2)).
- Medical malpractice (2 years): 2 yrs; 6-month discovery rule; 6-year repose (MCL 600.5838a) (MCL § 600.5805(8)).
- Defamation (1 year): libel or slander (MCL § 600.5805(11)).
New to limitation periods? Read what a statute of limitations is: how the clock accrues, the discovery rule, and tolling.
The most-searched Michigan deadlines
- Personal injury & car accidents: 3 years. Injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the incident (MCL § 600.5805).
- Debt: 6 years. Most debt is time-barred after 6 years (MCL § 600.5807(9)). 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 (MCL § 600.5805(11)).
- Contracts: 6 years. Written agreements (MCL § 600.5807(9)).
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 Michigan deadline calculator →Michigan statute of limitations FAQ
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What is the statute of limitations in Michigan?
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