Nevada Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed February 24, 2025
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. 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.
Your fender bender in Las Vegas was a couple of months ago, but your neck is still hurting. Or you realize the repair shop didn't fix your car correctly. Is it too late to file a legal claim against the other driver or their insurance carrier? This is a good question, and the answer depends on Nevada's civil statute of limitations.
Regardless of your state, the courts have special rules about filing deadlines. These rules are statutes of limitations. If you don't file your personal injury claim before the deadline passes, the court will dismiss your civil case, and you'll lose your chance of recovering damages.
The problem is that the statute of limitations period differs depending on the case type you file. For example, in the above example of a car accident, you only have two years to file your personal injury lawsuit. But you have four years to file if you sue a manufacturer in a product liability case.
Here, we'll discuss Nevada law and how the statutes of limitations may affect your civil lawsuit. If you think you have a valid claim for damages against a third party, it's best to contact a personal injury attorney sooner rather than later.
What Exact Are Civil Statutes of Limitation?
State statute of limitations laws dictate how long a plaintiff has to file a civil lawsuit against another party. These time limits vary from state to state and by the type of claim.
The courts limit your time for filing your personal injury case for several reasons. After a year or longer, the evidence in a civil case becomes stale. Witnesses also have difficulty remembering what they saw and heard after a while. Another reason the Nevada courts impose filing deadlines is to be fair to potential defendants. It doesn't seem right to allow a plaintiff to blindside someone with a civil lawsuit years after the triggering event.
While the Nevada civil courts are strict about ensuring plaintiffs meet the statute of limitations period, they also understand that things happen and that, in some cases, they need to extend the deadline.
When Will the Courts Extend the Nevada Statute of Limitations Period?
Sometimes, judges will extend, or "toll," the statute of limitations out of fairness. They rarely do this. Typically, all a defendant has to do is point out that you missed the statute's time period, and the judge will dismiss your civil complaint.
In other cases, the court agrees to toll the periods of limitation. Some of these situations include:
- The defendant is out of state or is evading service
- The plaintiff is a minor
- The court deems the plaintiff mentally incapacitated
- The plaintiff had no way of knowing they suffered a personal injury
This last reason led Nevada lawmakers to implement the discovery rule. Under this rule, the statute of limitations period tolls until the plaintiff knows (or should have known) they suffered an injury.
The court applies a "reasonable person" standard when evaluating whether the discovery rule applies. A plaintiff can't sit idly by doing nothing. They must make a reasonable effort to discover their injury and its cause.
Nevada's Civil Statutes of Limitations at a Glance
Nevada's civil statutes of limitations dictate how long you have to file your civil claim. The table below outlines the specific statute of limitations laws. These laws fall under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) §11.190.
| Personal injury | Two years §11.190(4)(e) |
|---|---|
| Libel/slander/defamation | Two years §11.190(4)(c) |
| Fraud | Three years §11.190(3)(d) |
| Personal property damage | Three years §11.190(3)(c) |
| Professional malpractice | Medical malpractice cases, two years (Maximum of three years with discovery rule); Other professions is two years (maximum of four years with discovery rule). §11.207 |
| Trespass | Three years §11.190(3)(b) |
| Collection of rents | Written: Six years §11.190(1)(b); Oral: Four years §11.190-(2)(c) |
| Contracts | Written: Six years §11.190(1)(b); Oral: Four years §11.190-(2)(c) |
| Debt collection | Four years §11.190(2)(a) |
| False imprisonment | Two years §11.190(4)(c) |
| Judgments | Six years §11.190(1)(a) |
| Workers' compensation | 90 days §616C.020(1) |
| Wrongful death | Two years §11.190(4)(e) |
Disclaimer: State laws are constantly changing. Contact a Nevada personal injury lawyer or conduct further research to clarify your state laws.
Contact an Attorney to Learn More About Nevada's Civil Statutes of Limitations
Nevada's civil statutes of limitations often depend on the nature of your claim. A skilled injury attorney can ensure you meet all your filing deadlines. They can also help you file the correct cause of action to help maximize your compensation.
You should contact a Nevada personal injury attorney for a free case evaluation as soon as possible.
Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.