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California Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in California, drawn from the Code of Civil Procedure — with the section number, the trigger date, and the exceptions that move the clock.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–4

year filing range

Govt. Notice

0.5

yrs to notify govt.

1 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.

2 YEARS

Personal Injury

Two years from the date of injury. Section 335.1 covers injury to, or the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

One year from when the plaintiff knew or should have known of the injury, or three years from the date of injury — whichever comes first.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.5 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Written Contract

Four years from the date the contract was broken, for an action on a contract, obligation, or liability founded on a written instrument.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Property Damage

Three years from the date the property was damaged. Section 338 covers trespass on or injury to real property and taking or injuring goods or chattels.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year from the date of injury for libel or slander — one of the shortest civil deadlines in California.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340(c) ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Product Liability

Two years for personal injury caused by a defective product, under the general personal-injury period.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 Unverified

2 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Two years. Section 335.1 covers an action for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another, generally measured from the date of death.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Fraud

Three years, and the cause of action is not deemed to have accrued until discovery of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338(d) ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Two years from breach for an obligation not founded on a written instrument — half the window a written contract gets.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 339 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

One year from when the plaintiff discovered or should have discovered the facts constituting the wrongful act, with a four-year outer limit from the act itself.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.6 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Assault & Battery

Assault and battery are named expressly in § 335.1 and share the two-year personal-injury period.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Three years for trespass upon or injury to real property.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338(b) ✓ Verified

0.5

years

Government claims notice

Written claim generally presented within 6 months — Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 Section 911.2(a) requires a claim for death, injury to person or personal property, or growing crops to be presented within six months of accrual; any other cause of action within one year. Suit generally cannot be filed until the claim is rejected or deemed rejected, and a separate shorter deadline then governs the suit itself. Some entities impose shorter notice periods — confirm the requirement for the specific public entity.

Common Questions About California Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in California?

It depends on the type of claim. California filing deadlines range from 1 year to 4 years — for example, personal injury 2 years, breach of a written contract 4 years, medical malpractice 1 year, defamation 1 year.

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

2 years under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1. Two years from the date of injury. Section 335.1 covers injury to, or the death of, an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another. Full personal injury rules →

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

2 years under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1. Two years. Section 335.1 covers an action for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another, generally measured from the date of death. Full wrongful death rules →

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

1 year under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.5. One year from when the plaintiff knew or should have known of the injury, or three years from the date of injury — whichever comes first. Full medical malpractice rules →

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

4 years under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337. Four years from the date the contract was broken, for an action on a contract, obligation, or liability founded on a written instrument. Full breach of a written contract rules →

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

1 year under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340(c). One year from the date of injury for libel or slander — one of the shortest civil deadlines in California. Full defamation rules →

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

3 years under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338. Three years from the date the property was damaged. Section 338 covers trespass on or injury to real property and taking or injuring goods or chattels. Full property damage rules →

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

Often, yes. Written claim generally presented within 6 months under Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2. 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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California Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About California Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in California?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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