{"id":375625,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-24T11:49:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T16:49:44","slug":"ohio-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Ohio Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ohio Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, 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

Every state has laws dictating the time limits for filing civil and criminal cases. They’re called statutes of limitations<\/a>. There are filing deadlines in civil litigation to ensure that potential plaintiffs can’t threaten lawsuits indefinitely. The limitations period also protects the integrity of evidence (including eyewitness testimony) and encourages the timely resolution of disputes.<\/p>\r\n

You must know the statute of limitations for your personal injury claim<\/a>. If you file your civil case after the statute of limitations period expires, the court will dismiss your claim, and you’ll lose your chance of pursuing damages.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll discuss the Ohio statutes of limitations and explain how they may affect your civil case. If you fear that you may have missed the limitations period, contact an Ohio personal injury lawyer<\/a> immediately. If there’s time left, they’ll try to file your case in time.<\/p>\r\n

What Happens if You Miss the Deadline to File Your Civil Lawsuit?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Ohio law is clear about the time period in which plaintiffs must file their personal injury lawsuits<\/a>. The courts rarely extend the statutes of limitations period, so you should consult an Ohio attorney as soon as possible after your injury.<\/p>\r\n

If you miss the statute of limitations period by even one day, the judge will dismiss your claim. The judge’s clerk will likely notice your error when they get your civil complaint. Even if they don’t, the defendant will file a motion to dismiss<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

In the state of Ohio, there are a few situations where the judge can extend the statute of limitations<\/a>. These include:<\/p>\r\n