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Arkansas Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Arkansas under Ark. Code ch. 16-56 — three years for most torts and oral contracts, five for written obligations, and a libel/slander split that catches people out.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–5

year filing range

Govt. Notice

yrs to notify govt.

2 of these entries are marked “Unverified.” They have been added to the register but not yet checked line-by-line against the current statute text. Treat those figures as a starting point only, and confirm the citation at its official source before relying on it.

3 YEARS

Personal Injury

Three years from accrual for personal injury.

Ark. Code § 16-56-105 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

Two years from the date of the wrongful act — a year less than the general three-year tort period.

Ark. Code § 16-114-203 ✓ Verified

5 YEARS

Written Contract

Five years from breach on a written obligation.

Ark. Code § 16-56-111(a) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Property Damage

Three years, on the same clock as personal injury.

Ark. Code § 16-56-105 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Defamation

Three years for libel (written), but only ONE year for slander (spoken) — § 16-56-104 limits its one-year rule to "words spoken."

Ark. Code §§ 16-56-105, 16-56-104(3) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Product Liability

Three years for a product liability claim.

Ark. Code § 16-116-103 Unverified

3 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Three years from the date of death — not the date of the underlying injury.

Ark. Code § 16-62-102 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Fraud

Three years, with accrual generally delayed until the fraud is discovered.

Ark. Code § 16-56-105 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Three years on an unwritten contract.

Ark. Code § 16-56-105(1) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Three years, generally from the negligent act rather than from discovery.

Ark. Code § 16-56-105 Unverified

1 YEARS

Assault & Battery

One year — a third of the three-year period Arkansas gives ordinary negligence.

Ark. Code § 16-56-104(2)(A) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Three years for trespass.

Ark. Code § 16-56-105 ✓ Verified

years

Government claims notice

Generally 3 years; immunity limits apply — Ark. Code §§ 21-9-301, 19-10-204 Arkansas grants municipalities and political subdivisions tort immunity under § 21-9-301 except to the extent of liability insurance coverage, so the threshold question is usually whether the claim is actionable at all rather than whether it is timely. Claims against the State go to the Arkansas State Claims Commission under § 19-10-204. Not confirmed against primary text; URL needs repointing.

Common Questions About Arkansas Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Arkansas?

It depends on the type of claim. Arkansas filing deadlines range from 1 year to 5 years — for example, personal injury 3 years, breach of a written contract 5 years, medical malpractice 2 years, defamation 3 years.

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arkansas?

3 years under Ark. Code § 16-56-105. Three years from accrual for personal injury. Full personal injury rules →

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Arkansas?

3 years under Ark. Code § 16-62-102. Three years from the date of death — not the date of the underlying injury. Full wrongful death rules →

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Arkansas?

2 years under Ark. Code § 16-114-203. Two years from the date of the wrongful act — a year less than the general three-year tort period. Full medical malpractice rules →

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Arkansas?

5 years under Ark. Code § 16-56-111(a). Five years from breach on a written obligation. Full breach of a written contract rules →

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Arkansas?

3 years under Ark. Code §§ 16-56-105, 16-56-104(3). Three years for libel (written), but only ONE year for slander (spoken) — § 16-56-104 limits its one-year rule to "words spoken." Full defamation rules →

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Arkansas?

3 years under Ark. Code § 16-56-105. Three years, on the same clock as personal injury. Full property damage rules →

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Arkansas?

Often, yes. Generally 3 years; immunity limits apply under Ark. Code §§ 21-9-301, 19-10-204. This is usually much shorter than the ordinary deadline.

Know your rights — check the claim type that matches your situation, then confirm the deadline with a licensed attorney.

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Arkansas Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Arkansas Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Arkansas?

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arkansas?

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Arkansas?

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Arkansas?

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Arkansas?

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Arkansas?

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Arkansas?

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Arkansas?

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