Maine Civil Statute of Limitations Laws

By Susan Buckner, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed April 28, 2025

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All states have statutes of limitations. This is a period of time that a plaintiff has to file a civil action. In Maine, a plaintiff has six years to file a personal injury claim after a car accident. States have statute of limitations laws for civil and criminal actions. Statutes of limitations for criminal cases limit the time a prosecutor has to file criminal charges.

The limitations periods set strict time limits for filing claims. If a plaintiff doesn't file a claim within the statutory period, the law prevents them from filing the case. If you believe you have a legal case, you should contact an attorney at once.

Maine's statutes of limitations are more generous than those in most states. In almost all cases, plaintiffs have six years to file civil claims. The statute starts or runs from the time the incident happens. The date gets suspended or "tolled" if the injury can't be discovered when the incident happened. Tolling is common in product liability and medical malpractice cases.

Statutes of Limitations in Maine

In the state of Maine, statutes of limitation range from one year for sureties and bonds to no limits for civil actions based on sexual acts against minors.

The chart below highlights some of Maine's common civil statutes of limitations.

Two years § 753
  • Slander, libel
  • Assault, battery, false imprisonment
  • Victims of crime in suit against the offender (§ 752-E)
Six years

All civil actions. (§ 752) Some causes of action have statutory extensions if the plaintiff could not reasonably discover the legal issue.

  • Personal injury
  • Property damage
  • Trespass
  • Judgments
  • Collection of rents or debts

Fraud § 859
20 years
  • Written contracts § 751
  • Real property actions
No limitations

Sexual assault on a minor § 752-C

Note: State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. You should consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws before making any legal decisions.

Research the Law

Related Resources: Maine Statute of Limitations

Get Legal Advice From a Maine Personal Injury Attorney

If you have a legal issue and aren't sure if you still have time to file, you need legal advice. An experienced Maine personal injury attorney can tell you if your civil claim meets Maine's statute of limitations for filing.

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