Idaho Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. | Last reviewed January 13, 2023
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Every state requires that people file lawsuits within a certain period of time following an incident. This period of time is called the statute of limitations.
The time limits imposed by states differ according to the type of civil action. Generally speaking, these time limits range from one to five years. However, for certain actions, state laws indicate different lengths of time.
Under many circumstances, the statute of limitations begins when an incident occurs. However, the discovery rule also indicates that the time limit does not begin until the plaintiff has discovered or reasonably should have known about an injury. For example, someone who was exposed to an environmental toxin 30 years ago, but just now discovers they have a certain kind of cancer caused by this toxin, may be able to invoke the discovery rule.
Depending on state law, another exception to these time limits is the theory of "equitable tolling." Under this theory an injured person, who has pursued another remedy in good faith, may file a related lawsuit after the deadline for the incident that is of concern to their original lawsuit. For example, tolling is often "paused" when an injured person files a workers' compensation claim.
Idaho Civil Statutes of Limitations at a Glance
The state of Idaho imposes a two-year time limit for personal injury and medical malpractice claims. However, laws of the state also set a statute of limitations of three years for claims related to fraud, injury to personal property, and trespassing. Written contracts carry a five-year limit, but oral contracts have a four-year limit.
The following chart lists additional time limits for various civil actions in Idaho. See FindLaw's Injury Law Basics section for more information.
Injury to Person |
Two years (Refer to §5-219(4 & 5).) |
|---|---|
Libel/Slander |
Two years (Refer to §5-219(5).) |
Fraud |
Three years (Refer to §5-218(4).) |
Injury to Personal Property |
Three years (Refer to §5-218(3).) |
Professional Malpractice |
Two years (Refer to §5-219(4).) |
Trespass |
Three years (Refer to §5-218(2).) |
Collection of Rents |
20 years (Refer to §5-204.) |
Contracts |
|
Collection of Debt on Account |
|
Judgments |
11 years (Refer to §5-215(1).) |
Note: State laws are not carved in stone and may change at any time through the enactment of new statutes, appellate court decisions, and other means. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of these pages, you may also want to contact an Idaho personal injury attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Laws of Idaho
Consider reviewing the following resources for more information about the laws of Idaho, including those related to statutes of limitations:
- At Idaho Law, you'll find links to all laws of the statute, including those related to statutes of limitations.
- At Official State Codes, you'll find links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Civil Statutes of Limitations: Related Resources
Consider reviewing the following resources, as well, for more information about laws and legal issues related to statutes of limitations:
- Lawsuits: A Practical Guide
- Idaho Negligence Law
- Idaho Criminal Statute of Limitations
- Time Limits to Bring a Case: The Statute of Limitations
Speak with a Lawyer to Get a Better Understanding of Idaho Civil Statutes of Limitations
The civil statutes of limitations in Idaho depends on the type of injury involved. A good Idaho attorney can find the right cause of action which falls within Idaho's statute of limitations. Working with an attorney can help maximize your financial award. If you're interested in filing a lawsuit for a personal or economic injury, it's a good idea to contact a skilled litigation attorney in Idaho.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.