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Georgia Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Georgia under O.C.G.A. Title 9, Chapter 3 — a short two-year clock on personal injury, one of the longest written-contract windows in the South, and strict ante litem notice for government defendants.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–6

year filing range

Govt. Notice

0.5

yrs to notify govt.

3 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 for actions for injuries to the person.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

Two years from the date the injury or death arising from the negligent act occurred.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-71 ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Written Contract

Six years from the date the contract became due and payable.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Property Damage

Four years for injuries to personal property.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-31 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year from the date the defamatory statement was made — injuries to reputation are carved out of the general two-year personal-injury period in the same section.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Product Liability

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

O.C.G.A. §§ 9-3-33, 51-1-11 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Two years, generally from the date of death.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Fraud

Four years, with the period tolled under § 9-3-96 until the fraud is discovered or should have been discovered.

O.C.G.A. §§ 9-3-31, 9-3-96 Unverified

4 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Four years — Georgia gives unwritten agreements two years less than the six-year written-contract window.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-25 Unverified

4 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Generally four years where the representation rested on an oral retainer, and six years under § 9-3-24 where there was a written one.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-25 Unverified

2 YEARS

Assault & Battery

Two years, under the general injuries-to-the-person period.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Four years for trespass upon or damage to real property.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-30 ✓ Verified

0.5

years

Government claims notice

Ante litem notice — 6 months for municipalities — O.C.G.A. §§ 36-33-5, 36-11-1, 50-21-26 Georgia sets three different ante litem deadlines depending on the defendant: six months for a municipality under § 36-33-5, twelve months for a county under § 36-11-1, and twelve months for the State under the Georgia Tort Claims Act, § 50-21-26. The six-month municipal deadline is the trap — it can expire long before the two-year personal-injury period. Identify the correct entity early. Link goes to Justia — Georgia publishes no stable public deep-link to O.C.G.A. sections.

Common Questions About Georgia Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Georgia?

It depends on the type of claim. Georgia filing deadlines range from 1 year to 6 years — for example, personal injury 2 years, breach of a written contract 6 years, medical malpractice 2 years, defamation 1 year.

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

2 years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Two years from the date of injury for actions for injuries to the person. Full personal injury rules →

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

2 years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Two years, generally from the date of death. Full wrongful death rules →

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

2 years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-71. Two years from the date the injury or death arising from the negligent act occurred. Full medical malpractice rules →

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

6 years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-24. Six years from the date the contract became due and payable. Full breach of a written contract rules →

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

1 year under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. One year from the date the defamatory statement was made — injuries to reputation are carved out of the general two-year personal-injury period in the same section. Full defamation rules →

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

4 years under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-31. Four years for injuries to personal property. Full property damage rules →

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

Often, yes. Ante litem notice — 6 months for municipalities under O.C.G.A. §§ 36-33-5, 36-11-1, 50-21-26. 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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Georgia Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Georgia Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Georgia?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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