Ohio Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. | Last reviewed January 17, 2023
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The time limits for filing both civil and criminal cases are referred to as the statute of limitations. In the context of civil litigation, these limits are meant to ensure that potential plaintiffs can't threaten lawsuits indefinitely, to protect the integrity of evidence (including eyewitness testimony), and to encourage the timely resolution of disputes.
It is important to take note of the statute of limitations for your claim. If you file a case after the statute of limitations has passed, your case will most likely be dismissed. This can happen even if your claim is valid and regardless of whether you were sure to win the case had you filed the claim in a timely manner. There are, however, some instances in which a court may allow a case to proceed even after the deadline has passed. However, these exceptions usually involve some sort of fraud on the part of the defendant.
In Ohio, laws related to civil statutes of limitations impose a one-year limit on defamation and medical malpractice claims. For personal injury claims, the statute of limitations is two years.
Ohio's civil statutes of limitations are explained in the following chart. See Time Limit Considerations in Medical Malpractice Claims for more information.
Injury to Person |
Two years (Refer to §2305.11(a), 2305.10, & 2305.111) |
|---|---|
Libel/Slander |
One year (Refer to §2305.11(a)) |
Fraud |
Four years (Refer to §2305.09(c)) |
Injury to Personal Property |
Two years (Refer to §2305.10) |
Professional Malpractice |
For legal malpractice, the statute of limitations is two years. For medical malpractice, the statute of limitations is one year to give notice. Giving notice provides an extension of 180 days. The statute also sets a maximum of four years. (Refer to §2305.11(a) & §2305.113) |
Trespass |
Four years (Refer to §2305.09(a)) |
Collection of Rents |
Four years (Refer to §1310.52) |
Contracts |
For written contracts, the statute of limitations is eight years. (Refer to §2305.06) For oral contracts, the statute of limitations is six years. (Refer to §2305.07) |
Collection of Debt on Account |
For written contracts, the statute of limitations is eight years. (Refer to §2305.06) For oral contracts, the statute of limitations is six years. (Refer to §2305.07) |
Judgments |
15 years (Refer to §2325.18.) |
Note: State laws are constantly changing. Contact an Ohio personal injury attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
More Information
If you'd like additional information on Ohio's civil statutes of limitations, feel free to check out the links to related resources listed below. For general information on the topic, take a look at FindLaw's "Details on State Civil Statute of Limitations." Finally, if you have a civil claim, you should consider speaking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your legal rights are protected.
Research the Law
Consider reviewing the following resources for more information about laws in Ohio, including those related to civil statutes of limitations:
- At Ohio Law, you'll find links to all laws in the state, including those related to civil statutes of limitations.
- At Official State Codes, you'll find links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Civil Statutes of Limitations: Related Resources
For more information, consider reviewing the following resources, as well:
Learn More About Civil Statutes of Limitations from a Lawyer
Ohio's civil statutes of limitations depend on the type of case being filed. If you're dealing with a personal injury or some other civil matter, it's a good idea to contact a local litigation attorney who can help you file your lawsuit within the required time limits.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.