Statute of Limitations in New Hampshire
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in New Hampshire? In New Hampshire, the statute of limitations is 3 years for personal injury, 3 years for written contracts and 3 years for defamation. Every period below is linked to its official New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire attorney.
New Hampshire statute of limitations by claim type
Every New Hampshire civil deadline below is quoted from the statute and linked to its official text. Verified Jun 13, 2026 against the official New Hampshire statutes (gencourt.state.nh.us).
| Claim type | Limitation period | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 3 years | N.H. RSA 508:4 | all personal actions; 3-year discovery rule |
| Wrongful death | 3 years | N.H. RSA 508:4 / 556:11 | RSA 556:11 states a 6-year outer limit but is 'subject to RSA 508'; the 3-year personal-action period (RSA 508:4) is the operative deadline |
| Written contract | 3 years | N.H. RSA 508:4 | |
| Oral contract | 3 years | N.H. RSA 508:4 | |
| Property damage | 3 years | N.H. RSA 508:4 | |
| Medical malpractice | 3 years | N.H. RSA 508:4 | 3 yrs; discovery rule applies |
| Defamation (libel/slander) | 3 years | N.H. RSA 508:4 | slander/libel; 3 years |
| Debt collection | 3 years | N.H. RSA 508:4 |
Enter a date of incident in the lookup above to estimate your exact filing deadline and add a reminder to your calendar.
New Hampshire deadlines at a glance
In New Hampshire, the civil filing deadlines in this tool are all 3 years. Its 3 years personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states.
Several New Hampshire claims carry specific accrual, discovery, or repose rules worth noting:
- Personal injury (3 years): all personal actions; 3-year discovery rule (N.H. RSA 508:4).
- Wrongful death (3 years): RSA 556:11 states a 6-year outer limit but is 'subject to RSA 508'; the 3-year personal-action period (RSA 508:4) is the operative deadline (N.H. RSA 508:4 / 556:11).
- Medical malpractice (3 years): 3 yrs; discovery rule applies (N.H. RSA 508:4).
- Defamation (3 years): slander/libel; 3 years (N.H. RSA 508:4).
New to limitation periods? Read what a statute of limitations is: how the clock accrues, the discovery rule, and tolling.
The most-searched New Hampshire deadlines
- Personal injury & car accidents: 3 years. Injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the incident (N.H. RSA 508:4).
- Debt: 3 years. Most debt is time-barred after 3 years (N.H. RSA 508:4). 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 (N.H. RSA 508:4).
- Contracts: 3 years. Written agreements (N.H. RSA 508:4).
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 New Hampshire 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: Massachusetts · Maine · Vermont · California · Texas · Florida
New Hampshire statute of limitations FAQ
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in New Hampshire?
What is the statute of limitations in New Hampshire?
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in New Hampshire?
What is the statute of limitations on debt in New Hampshire?
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in New Hampshire?
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