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District of Columbia Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in the District of Columbia under D.C. Code § 12-301 — three years for most claims, one year for intentional torts, and a six-month notice requirement for any claim against the District itself.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–3

year filing range

Govt. Notice

0.5

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, running from when the plaintiff knew, or by reasonable diligence should have known, of three things: the injury, its cause, and some evidence of wrongdoing.

D.C. Code § 12-301(8) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

Three years, running from discovery of the injury, its cause, and some evidence of wrongdoing.

D.C. Code § 12-301(8) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Written Contract

Three years from breach — short by national standards.

D.C. Code § 12-301(7) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Property Damage

Three years for injury to real or personal property.

D.C. Code § 12-301(3) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year for libel or slander — a third of the general three-year period.

D.C. Code § 12-301(4) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Product Liability

Three years, subject to the three-part discovery rule.

D.C. Code § 12-301(8) Unverified

2 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Two years from the date of death, for economic losses — lost support, services and funeral expenses.

D.C. Code § 16-2702 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Fraud

Three years, subject to the discovery rule.

D.C. Code § 12-301(8) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Three years — the same as a written contract.

D.C. Code § 12-301(7) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Three years, subject to the discovery rule.

D.C. Code § 12-301(8) Unverified

1 YEARS

Assault & Battery

One year — DC groups all the intentional torts into a single short bucket.

D.C. Code § 12-301(4) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Three years for trespass causing injury to real property.

D.C. Code § 12-301(3) ✓ Verified

0.5

years

Government claims notice

Written notice to the Mayor within 6 months — D.C. Code § 12-309 Section 12-309 requires written notice to the Mayor of the District of Columbia within six months of the injury or damage before any action for unliquidated damages may be maintained against the District. A police report may satisfy the requirement in some circumstances. The notice is a condition precedent and DC courts enforce it strictly — it defeats more claims against the District than the limitations period does. The lawsuit itself follows the ordinary § 12-301 deadlines. A claim against the FEDERAL government instead requires a Standard Form 95 filed with the responsible agency within two years.

Common Questions About District of Columbia Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in District of Columbia?

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

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in District of Columbia?

3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(8). Three years, running from when the plaintiff knew, or by reasonable diligence should have known, of three things: the injury, its cause, and some evidence of wrongdoing. Full personal injury rules →

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in District of Columbia?

2 years under D.C. Code § 16-2702. Two years from the date of death, for economic losses — lost support, services and funeral expenses. Full wrongful death rules →

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in District of Columbia?

3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(8). Three years, running from discovery of the injury, its cause, and some evidence of wrongdoing. Full medical malpractice rules →

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in District of Columbia?

3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(7). Three years from breach — short by national standards. Full breach of a written contract rules →

How long do you have to sue for defamation in District of Columbia?

1 year under D.C. Code § 12-301(4). One year for libel or slander — a third of the general three-year period. Full defamation rules →

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in District of Columbia?

3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(3). Three years for injury to real or personal property. Full property damage rules →

Do you have to notify the government before suing in District of Columbia?

Often, yes. Written notice to the Mayor within 6 months under D.C. Code § 12-309. 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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District of Columbia Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About District of Columbia Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in District of Columbia?

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in District of Columbia?

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in District of Columbia?

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in District of Columbia?

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in District of Columbia?

How long do you have to sue for defamation in District of Columbia?

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in District of Columbia?

Do you have to notify the government before suing in District of Columbia?

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