New York Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. | Last reviewed January 18, 2023
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In every state, there are time limits for the filing of lawsuits and other civil actions called "statutes of limitations." New York's civil statutes of limitations laws are largely in line with those of other states. Depending on the type of case or procedure, New York's statutes of limitations generally range from one (1) year to six (6) years. The point at which the clock starts ticking is typically the date of the incident or discovery of a wrong.
What if I Miss a Deadline to File a Civil Lawsuit in New York?
A piece of advice: be sure to file your suit before the deadline. If you fail to bring suit within the specified time, the opposing party can file a motion to dismiss the case. Once the judge dismisses the case, you lose your legal claim forever.
Below is a summary of civil statutes of limitations in New York. See Details on State Civil Statute of Limitations and Time Limits to Bring a Case: The Statute of Limitations to learn more.
Injury to Person |
3 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §214 |
|---|---|
Libel/Slander |
1 yr. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §215 |
Fraud |
6 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §213 |
Injury to Personal Property |
3 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §214 |
Professional Malpractice |
3 yrs.; medical: 2 1/2 yrs.; foreign object in body of patient 1 yr. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §214(6) and §214-a |
Trespass |
3 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §214 |
Collection of Rents |
3 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §214-i |
Contracts |
Written: 6 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §213; Oral: 6 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §213 |
Collection of Debt on Account |
3 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §214-i |
Judgments |
20 yrs. N.Y. Civ. Prac. L. & R. §211(b) |
Note: State laws surrounding when to file a lawsuit are constantly changing. Contact a New York attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
- New York Code
- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
Related Resources for Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
Contact a New York Lawyer To Learn More About the Statute of Limitations
New York's civil statute of limitations can be confusing. If you're dealing with a personal injury or any other dispute that may merit compensation, you'll want to make sure you file your complaint on time. Missing the deadline could bar you from filing your case. Get started today and contact an experienced New York litigation attorney to learn more about your case's statute of limitations.
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