Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Pennsylvania? In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is 2 years for personal injury, 4 years for written contracts and 1 year for defamation; most other civil claims fall between 1 and 4 years. Every period below is linked to its official Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania attorney.
Pennsylvania statute of limitations by claim type
Every Pennsylvania civil deadline below is quoted from the statute and linked to its official text. Verified Jun 13, 2026 against the official Pennsylvania statutes (legis.state.pa.us).
| Claim type | Limitation period | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 2 years | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 | |
| Wrongful death | 2 years | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 | 2 years from date of death |
| Written contract | 4 years | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525 | |
| Oral contract | 4 years | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525 | |
| Property damage | 2 years | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 | |
| Medical malpractice | 2 years | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 | from injury or discovery; MCARE 7-year repose |
| Defamation (libel/slander) | 1 year | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5523(1) | libel/slander; 1 year |
| Debt collection | 4 years | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525 |
Enter a date of incident in the lookup above to estimate your exact filing deadline and add a reminder to your calendar.
Pennsylvania deadlines at a glance
In Pennsylvania, civil filing deadlines run from 1 year (defamation) to 4 years (written contract, oral contract and debt collection). Its 2 years personal-injury deadline is in line with most states.
Several Pennsylvania claims carry specific accrual, discovery, or repose rules worth noting:
- Wrongful death (2 years): 2 years from date of death (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524).
- Medical malpractice (2 years): from injury or discovery; MCARE 7-year repose (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524).
- Defamation (1 year): libel/slander; 1 year (42 Pa.C.S. § 5523(1)).
New to limitation periods? Read what a statute of limitations is: how the clock accrues, the discovery rule, and tolling.
The most-searched Pennsylvania deadlines
- Personal injury & car accidents: 2 years. Injury claims must be filed within 2 years of the incident (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524).
- Debt: 4 years. Most debt is time-barred after 4 years (42 Pa.C.S. § 5525). 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 (42 Pa.C.S. § 5523(1)).
- Contracts: 4 years. Written agreements (42 Pa.C.S. § 5525).
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 Pennsylvania 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: Delaware · Maryland · New Jersey · New York · Ohio · West Virginia
Pennsylvania statute of limitations FAQ
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
What is the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania?
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in Pennsylvania?
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Pennsylvania?
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Pennsylvania?
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