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Kentucky Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Kentucky under KRS ch. 413 — one year for personal injury, among the shortest in the country, against ten or fifteen years for a written contract.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–10

year filing range

Govt. Notice

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.

1 YEARS

Personal Injury

One year — tied with Tennessee for the shortest general personal-injury period in the country. But a motor vehicle claim gets two years under the no-fault act.

KRS § 413.140(1)(a) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

One year from when the injury is or reasonably should have been discovered, provided the action is commenced within five years of the negligent act or omission.

KRS § 413.140(1)(e) ✓ Verified

10 YEARS

Written Contract

Ten years for a written contract executed on or after July 15, 2014 — fifteen years for one executed before.

KRS §§ 413.160, 413.090(2) ✓ Verified

5 YEARS

Property Damage

Five years for damage to property — five times what Kentucky gives personal injury.

KRS § 413.120(4) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year for libel or slander.

KRS § 413.140(1)(d) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Product Liability

One year for personal injury caused by a defective product.

KRS § 413.140(1)(a) Unverified

1 YEARS

Wrongful Death

One year, but the personal representative gets one year from their appointment — and appointment is treated as no later than one year after death, so the outer limit is two years from the death.

KRS §§ 413.140(1)(a), 413.180 ✓ Verified

5 YEARS

Fraud

Five years, with accrual generally delayed until discovery of the fraud.

KRS § 413.120(12) ✓ Verified

5 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Five years on an unwritten contract.

KRS § 413.120(1) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

One year from the occurrence or from when the injury should reasonably have been discovered, with a five-year outer limit from the occurrence.

KRS § 413.245 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Assault & Battery

One year, under the general injury-to-the-person period.

KRS § 413.140(1)(a) ✓ Verified

5 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Five years for trespass.

KRS § 413.120(4) ✓ Verified

years

Government claims notice

Generally the underlying period; Board of Claims for state — KRS §§ 65.200 et seq., 49.040 Kentucky does not impose a single short notice-of-claim deadline. Claims against the Commonwealth go to the Board of Claims under KRS ch. 49 with its own one-year period and damages caps. Cities and counties retain immunity for governmental functions under the Claims Against Local Governments Act, KRS ch. 65, so the threshold question is usually whether the claim is actionable at all. Not confirmed against primary text; URL needs repointing.

Common Questions About Kentucky Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Kentucky?

It depends on the type of claim. Kentucky filing deadlines range from 1 year to 10 years — for example, personal injury 1 year, breach of a written contract 10 years, medical malpractice 1 year, defamation 1 year.

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

1 year under KRS § 413.140(1)(a). One year — tied with Tennessee for the shortest general personal-injury period in the country. But a motor vehicle claim gets two years under the no-fault act. Full personal injury rules →

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

1 year under KRS §§ 413.140(1)(a), 413.180. One year, but the personal representative gets one year from their appointment — and appointment is treated as no later than one year after death, so the outer limit is two years f… Full wrongful death rules →

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

1 year under KRS § 413.140(1)(e). One year from when the injury is or reasonably should have been discovered, provided the action is commenced within five years of the negligent act or omission. Full medical malpractice rules →

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

10 years under KRS §§ 413.160, 413.090(2). Ten years for a written contract executed on or after July 15, 2014 — fifteen years for one executed before. Full breach of a written contract rules →

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

1 year under KRS § 413.140(1)(d). One year for libel or slander. Full defamation rules →

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

5 years under KRS § 413.120(4). Five years for damage to property — five times what Kentucky gives personal injury. Full property damage rules →

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

Often, yes. Generally the underlying period; Board of Claims for state under KRS §§ 65.200 et seq., 49.040. 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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Kentucky Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Kentucky Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Kentucky?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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