{"id":372629,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/florida-statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2025-05-27T09:50:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T14:50:40","slug":"florida-statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/florida-statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"Florida Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Florida Statutes of Limitations\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, 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

Welcome to FindLaw’s section on the State of Florida\u2019s statutes of limitations (SOL), covering the time limits imposed on criminal and civil actions in Florida\u2019s courts. Statutes of limitations laws ensure the timely prosecution of criminal and civil cases.<\/p>\r\n

This FindLaw article explores Florida Statutes of Limitations.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes of Limitations Basics<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Statutes of limitations are laws that sets forth deadlines to filing criminal charges or civil actions. Civil actions<\/a> involve private lawsuits between persons or organizations over noncriminal causes of action, like an intentional tort. Prosecutors file criminal charges after a person has committed a crime. In both scenarios, statutes of limitations identify a time period within which to file a legal action or criminal charges.<\/p>\r\n

Failure to adhere to the statute of limitations risks having the underlying action dismissed. A defendant can raise the statute of limitations as a defense. Consider personal injury disputes, which have a four-year statute of limitations in Florida. Statutes of limitations often accrue from the date of injury. If a person files a lawsuit to recover damages from a car accident after the applicable statute of limitations expired, the defendant can ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit.<\/p>\r\n

Statute of Limitations Purpose<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Statutes of Limitations have several aims. The first is the swift administration of justice. Without statutory time limits, we could file cases whenever we wanted to, putting a strain on our justice system. Evidence, whether testimonial or physical, can degrade over time. This complicates efforts to hold an alleged perpetrator accountable.<\/p>\r\n

Consider a person accused of sexual battery. If the prosecutors fail to bring charges in a timely manner, they risk allowing a criminal to go free. Evidence like eyewitness testimony, law enforcement statements, and DNA evidence degrades over time. Such degradation is less likely if the prosecution or plaintiffs bring their case within the applicable statutes of limitation period.<\/p>\r\n

Florida Civil Statutes of Limitations<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Florida\u2019s Civil Statutes of Limitation address civil causes of action<\/a> like medical malpractice. The period of limitation for medical malpractice is two years. Therefore, Floridians have two years from the date they discovered (or should have discovered with the exercise of due diligence) the malpractice to bring a suit. Florida\u2019s civil statutes of limitations<\/a> apply to the following causes of action:<\/p>\r\n