{"id":373397,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2025-06-03T10:52:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T15:52:57","slug":"iowa-statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Iowa 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 Susan Buckner, 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

Statutes of limitations are time limits for plaintiffs to file civil cases and prosecutors to file criminal charges. Iowa state laws provide deadlines based on the type of case and, in some instances, the seriousness of the legal issue.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes of limitations<\/a> protect all parties\u2019 civil rights. In criminal cases, limitation periods protect the defendant\u2019s right to a speedy trial. Prosecutors must file cases as soon as law enforcement collects all available evidence. Under Iowa law, it may be a defense to a criminal charge that the prosecutor filed the case after the statute expired.<\/p>\r\n

Civil statutes of limitations ensure plaintiffs file claims while evidence is available and witness recollections are fresh. It also prevents defendants from worrying about lawsuits lingering for years after an incident.<\/p>\r\n

Tolling and the Discovery Rule<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Civil statutes of limitation begin when a plaintiff is injured or harmed by a defendant\u2019s actions. For instance, a personal injury claim begins after a car accident. The person injured has two years to file a claim.<\/p>\r\n

Some types of injuries aren\u2019t that simple. A product liability injury may not become apparent for months or years after the exposure. In these cases, the discovery rule<\/b> lets plaintiffs start the statute on the date the injury was discovered.<\/p>\r\n

Tolling<\/b> suspends the statute for a period of time in the interests of justice. Criminal cases are tolled when a defendant is out of the state or is only identified through DNA evidence. Civil cases are tolled for plaintiffs who cannot file cases on their own behalf because of age or mental disability.<\/p>\r\n

Learn About Iowa Statutes of Limitations<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Iowa Civil Statute of Limitations<\/b> <\/a><\/p>\r\n

Civil statutes of limitation under Iowa code<\/a> set filing deadlines for:<\/p>\r\n