What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Maine?
In Maine, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is generally 3 years under 18-C M.R.S. § 2-807.
Wrongful death Deadlines in Maine
How long do you have to file a wrongful death claim in Maine?
In Maine, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is generally 3 years under 18-C M.R.S. § 2-807.
When does the clock start for wrongful death in Maine?
Three years from the date of death, raised from two years in 2023.
Can the Maine deadline for wrongful death be extended?
Charts published before 2023 still list two years. Note the oddity: a surviving injury claimant gets six years under § 752, but a family bringing a death claim gets three. Confirm 18-C § 2-807 and repoint the URL.
Is the deadline different if the claim is against the government in Maine?
Often, yes. Notice within 180 days; suit within 2 years under 14 M.R.S. §§ 8107, 8110. The Maine Tort Claims Act requires written notice to the governmental entity within 180 days of accrual under § 8107, and suit within two years under § 8110 — a third of the six years an ordinary Maine claimant gets. The Act also caps damages. A claim against…
How does Maine compare to other states for wrongful death?
Maine's 3 years is among the longest in the country. Across the 50 jurisdictions with a verified figure, the deadline for wrongful death ranges from 1 year to 3 years, and 2 years is the most common. Compare all states →
What Does Wrongful Death Cover?
Situations that typically fall under the wrongful death deadline in Maine:
