Time Limits to File a Defamation, Libel, Slander Claim

Each state has rules called “statute of limitations” which vary for different types of cases. The statute of limitations sets a time limit on when a person can file a lawsuit after an injury has occurred. The time limit is set because it would be unfair to all parties if a person could wait for ten years after an accident to file a lawsuit. It would be almost impossible to get witnesses who could remember the details of the accident/injury, documentation gets lost, and injuries either get worse over time, or are healed completely.

The time limit starts from the time the victim realizes there is an injury or is aware of damages. The time limit stops as soon as a victim files a complaint. If a statute of limitation is one year, then the victim has one year from the time he realizes he has been harmed to the date he filed a complaint. The lawsuit itself may take three years beyond that date, but the statute of limitations has been met if the complaint is filed before the time limit.

Libel Slander and Defamation Statute of Limitation by State:

Alabama: 2 years
Alaska: 2 years
Arizona: 1 year libel/slander
Arkansas: 3years libel; 2 years med. Malpractice;1 year slander
California: 2 years for intentional torts; 1 year for slander, libel
Colorado: 2 years; 1 year libel/slander
Connecticut: 2 years
Delaware: 2 years
Washington DC: 3 years; 1 year libel/slander
Florida: 4 years; 2 years medical malpractice, label/slander
Georgia: 2 years; 1 year libel/slander
Hawaii: 2 years
Idaho: 2years
Illinois: 2 years; 1 year defamation
Indiana: 2 years
Iowa: 2 years
Kansas: 2 years; 1 year libel/slander
Kentucky: 1 year
Louisiana: 1 year
Maine: 6 years; 2 years libel/slander
Maryland: 3 years; 1 year libel/slander
Massachusetts: 3 years
Michigan: 3 years; 1 year libel/slander
Minnesota: 2 years
Mississippi: 3 years; 2 years malpractice; 1 year libel/slander
Missouri: 5 years; 2 years libel/slander; 2 years malpractice
Montana: 3 years; 2 years libel/slander
Nebraska: 4 years; 1 year libel/slander; 2 years malpractice
Nevada: 2 years
New Hampshire: 3 years
New Jersey: 2 years; 1 year libel/slander
New Mexico: 3 years
New York: 3 years; 2.5 years malpractice; 1 year libel/slander
North Carolina: 3 years; 1 year libel/slander; 2 years wrongful death
North Dakota: 6 years; 2 years in wrongful death, libel/slander
Ohio: 2 years
Oklahoma: 2 years; 1 year libel/slander
Oregon: 2 years for medical malpractice; 2 years for personal injury; 1 year libel/slander
Pennsylvania: 2 years; 1 year libel/slander
Rhode Island: 3 years; 1 year libel/slander
South Carolina: 3 years; 2 years libel/slander
South Dakota: 3 years; 2 years libel/slander, medical malpractice
Tennessee: 1 year; 6 months libel/slander
Texas: 2 years; 1 year libel/slander
Utah: 4 years; 2 years wrongful death; 1 year libel/slander
Vermont: 3 years
Virginia: 2 years; 1 year libel/slander
Washington: 3 years; 1 year libel/slander
West Virginia: 2 years
Wisconsin: 3 years; 2 years libel/slander
Wyoming: 4 years; 1 year liable/slander

Help from a Personal Injury

The clock is ticking on the statute of limitations and if you have been a victim of a libelous statement, or any personal injury, you should consult an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights for compensation for damages.

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