Oregon Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq. | Last reviewed January 17, 2023
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State laws impose time limits, called statutes of limitations, for initiating a lawsuit or some other type of civil action. The "clock" begins tolling at the point the alleged incident has occurred. However, there are some exceptions, such as when an injury is not discovered until later.
For example, an individual in Oregon may not know they were exposed to asbestos until it is discovered long after the fact. But under the "discovery rule," this person has two years, from the point of discovery that they were exposed, to file an injury claim. The clock also stops tolling when a potential defendant leaves the state or goes into hiding.
These time limits are intended to prevent would-be plaintiffs from using the threat of a lawsuit indefinitely and to ensure the integrity of evidence. Witness testimony and physical evidence generally are more reliable the closer the discovery process is to the actual event.
Overview of Oregon's Civil Statutes of Limitations
Under Oregon law, the majority of civil actions must be filed within two years, including claims related to personal injury, defamation, fraud, and medical malpractice. There is a six-year statute of limitations for injury to personal property, trespassing, contracts, and debt collection. For claims involving minors, the time limit is not "tolled" until the minor's 18th birthday. However, no medical malpractice claim may be filed more than five years after the incident occurred.
The main provisions of Oregon's civil statutes of limitations are listed in the table below. See FindLaw's Injury Law Basics section for more information about filing a lawsuit.
Injury to Person |
Two years (Refer to §12.110) |
|---|---|
Libel/Slander |
Two years (Refer to §12.110) |
Fraud |
Two years from discovery (Refer to§12.110) |
Injury to Personal Property |
Six years (Refer to §12.080) |
Professional Malpractice |
For medical malpractice claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the act that caused the injury or two years from the point at which a person could have reasonably discovered that the act caused the injury. The statute also sets a maximum timeframe at five years. (Refer to §12.110(4)) |
Trespass |
Six years (Refer to §12.080(3)) |
Collection of Rents |
One year (Refer to §12.125) |
Contracts |
For written contracts, the statute of limitations is six years. (Refer to §12.080) For oral contracts, the statute of limitations is six years (Refer to §12.080) |
Collection of Debt on Account |
Six years (Refer to§12.080(2)) |
Judgments |
10 years (Refer to §12.070.) |
Note: State laws are always subject to change, usually through new legislation or opinions from appellate courts. You should contact an Oregon personal injury attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
Consider reviewing the following resources for more information about laws in Oregon, including those related to civil statutes of limitations:
- At Oregon 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
Consider reviewing the following resources for more information about laws and legal issues related to civil statutes of limitations:
- Lawsuits: A Practical Guide
- Time Limits to Bring a Case: The Statute of Limitations
- Oregon Criminal Statute of Limitations
- Oregon Negligence Law
Need More Help? Contact an Attorney Today
In Oregon, as in all states and the District of Columbia, your injury or non-injury-related civil lawsuit must be filed within a certain amount of time. If you don't file within that amount of time, your claim will be barred. In fact, the statute of limitations is arguably the most important part of your case. One of the best ways to ensure you meet the deadline is to speak with an Oregon-based litigation attorney today.
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