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Maryland Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Maryland under Cts. & Jud. Proc. tit. 5 — a clean three-year default, with a one-year carve-out for assault, libel and slander that famously no longer includes battery.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–3

year filing range

Govt. Notice

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 from the date the cause of action accrues — Maryland's general civil default.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

The earlier of five years from the date the injury was committed, or three years from the date the injury was discovered.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-109 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Written Contract

Three years from breach — short by national standards, where six years is common.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Property Damage

Three years, on the same clock as personal injury and contract.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year for libel or slander — a third of Maryland's general period.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-105 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Product Liability

Three years for personal injury caused by a defective product, with the discovery rule applying.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 Unverified

3 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Three years from the date of death.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904(g) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Fraud

Three years, with § 5-203 providing that where a party is kept in ignorance of a cause of action by the defendant's fraud, the period runs from when the fraud was or should have been discovered.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§ 5-101, 5-203 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Three years — the same as a written contract.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Three years, with the discovery rule generally delaying accrual until the client knew or should have known of the injury.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 Unverified

3 YEARS

Assault & Battery

Three years for battery, but only one year for assault — Maryland splits them, and the split is easy to get wrong.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§ 5-101, 5-105 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Three years for trespass to real property.

Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 ✓ Verified

years

Government claims notice

Notice within 1 year (LGTCA) or 1 year (MTCA) — Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-304; State Gov't § 12-106 The Local Government Tort Claims Act requires written notice to the local government within one year of the injury under Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-304. Claims against the State under the Maryland Tort Claims Act require submission to the Treasurer within one year under State Gov't § 12-106, and the Court of Appeals has held that the MTCA supplies a uniform three-year period for suit, including for defamation claims that would otherwise get only one year.

Common Questions About Maryland Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Maryland?

It depends on the type of claim. Maryland 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 Maryland?

3 years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101. Three years from the date the cause of action accrues — Maryland's general civil default. Full personal injury rules →

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

3 years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-904(g). Three years from the date of death. Full wrongful death rules →

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

3 years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-109. The earlier of five years from the date the injury was committed, or three years from the date the injury was discovered. Full medical malpractice rules →

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

3 years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101. Three years from breach — short by national standards, where six years is common. Full breach of a written contract rules →

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

1 year under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-105. One year for libel or slander — a third of Maryland's general period. Full defamation rules →

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

3 years under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101. Three years, on the same clock as personal injury and contract. Full property damage rules →

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

Often, yes. Notice within 1 year (LGTCA) or 1 year (MTCA) under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-304; State Gov't § 12-106. 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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Maryland Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Maryland Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Maryland?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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