{"id":371512,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-24T14:33:10","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T19:33:10","slug":"arizona-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arizona-law\/arizona-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Statute of Limitations<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Plaintiffs have time limits for filing civil lawsuits, which generally differ by the type of claim. These time limits and statutes of limitations help preserve the integrity of evidence and witness testimony. State legislatures enact statutes of limitations<\/a> to ensure that plaintiffs file their claims while the evidence is fresh. They also prevent the constant threat of a lawsuit long after a claim happened.<\/p>\r\n

Arizona law imposes a two-year statute of limitations for many civil actions, like personal injury claims and wrongful death cases. Some civil cases, like libel or slander, have a one-year limitation period. Some exceptions may apply when it takes longer than a year for a person to reasonably realize an injury has happened.<\/p>\r\n

A plaintiff who fails to file their claim within the applicable time period can’t pursue the claim. So, anyone with a potential civil claim must know the applicable statute of limitations for their cause of action.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of Arizona’s civil statute of limitations. For more specific information, consider contacting an Arizona civil litigation attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Arizona Civil Statute of Limitations Laws: At a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The table below lists Arizona’s statute of limitations laws for civil causes of action. For more information, visit the links in the table or the Related Resources section below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code sections<\/th>\r\n

Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.), Title 12, Chapter 5 \u00a7\u00a7 12-501<\/a> \u2014 12-599.03<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Breach of employment contract (oral contract or written contract)<\/th>\r\n

One year (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-541(3)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

False imprisonment<\/th>\r\n

One year (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-541(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Libel or slander<\/th>\r\n

One year (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-541(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Malicious prosecution<\/th>\r\n

One year (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-541(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Wrongful termination<\/th>\r\n

One year (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-541(4)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Detaining personal property<\/th>\r\n

Two years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-542(5)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Forcible entry or detainer<\/th>\r\n

Two years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-542(6)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Medical malpractice<\/th>\r\n

Two years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-542(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Personal injury<\/th>\r\n

Two years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-542(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Trespass\/injury to real property<\/th>\r\n

Two years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-542(3)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Wrongful death<\/th>\r\n

Two years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-542(2)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Debt collection<\/th>\r\n

Oral contract: Three years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-543(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n

Open account: Three years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-543(2)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n

Written contract: Six years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-548(A)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Fraud<\/th>\r\n

Three years after the discovery of the fraud (the discovery rule) (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-543(3)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Judgments<\/th>\r\n

Four years (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-544(3)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

If no statute of limitations is specified<\/th>\r\n

Four years (other than for recovery of real property\/real estate) (A.R.S. \u00a7 12-550<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts, ballot initiatives, and other means. Consult an <\/i>Arizona civil litigation attorney<\/i><\/a> or conduct your own legal research.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Arizona Civil Statute of Limitations Related Resources<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

For more information about Arizona law, visit the links below:<\/p>\r\n