{"id":376590,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:52","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-10T16:05:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T21:05:39","slug":"texas-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Texas Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\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

Every state has laws that dictate the time limit for filing civil lawsuits. These laws are called the statute of limitations. There are different statutes of limitations<\/a> for different types of claims, and they can vary by state. For example, in Texas, you have two years to file a personal injury claim but only one year to pursue someone for slander.<\/p>\r\n

If you don’t file your complaint within the statute of limitations period, the court will dismiss your claim. You\u2019ll lose your chance to pursue damages<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

This article examines Texas\u2019s civil statutes of limitations<\/a>, including the specific time limits for the various types of causes of action. If you still have questions about your case, refer to the additional FindLaw resources at the end of this section or contact a Texas personal injury lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

What Is the Average Statute of Limitations for Civil Claims in the State of Texas?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Many civil claims fall under personal injury<\/a>. This includes car accidents, slip-and-fall cases, and other cases involving negligence. Most states, including Texas, have a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury, and the clock starts on the date of the injury. This is similar to the filing deadlines in other states.<\/p>\r\n

For other types of legal actions, the civil statute of limitations laws range from one to five years, depending on the type of claim. For instance, Texas has a one-year statute of limitations for defamation<\/a>, a four-year statute of limitations for fraud, and a five-year time limit for cases involving sex crimes.<\/p>\r\n

Do the Texas Courts Ever Extend the Statute of Limitations?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The courts are rigorous when it comes to the statutes of limitations. If you don\u2019t file your claim within the time period dictated by Texas law, the courts will dismiss your claim. This can happen in one of two ways.<\/p>\r\n

Usually, the court clerk will see that your claim is not timely when you submit your complaint<\/a>. They will reject your claim and return it to you unfiled.<\/p>\r\n

If the court clerk doesn\u2019t see that your claim is out of time, the defendant will undoubtedly notice. They will file a motion to dismiss<\/a> with the court, and the judge will have no choice but to grant their request.<\/p>\r\n

There are times when the court will toll the statute of limitations. Tolling is another way of saying the court will pause the clock. For example, under the Discovery Rule, the court will not start the statute of limitations clock until the plaintiff discovers, or should have discovered, their injury. This is common in cases involving latent injuries and illnesses, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019s worth noting that Texas courts are not as generous as courts in other jurisdictions when applying this rule. Texas law only allows for tolling under the discovery rule in exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\r\n

The court may also toll the statute of limitations in the following situations:<\/p>\r\n