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Nebraska Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Nebraska under Neb. Rev. Stat. ch. 25 — four years for most torts, which is unusually generous, against one year for defamation.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–5

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.

4 YEARS

Personal Injury

Four years — unusually generous, and double what most states allow.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(3) ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

Two years from the act or omission, with a discovery extension and a ten-year repose.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-222 ✓ Verified

5 YEARS

Written Contract

Five years on a written contract. Foreign judgments carry the same five-year deadline.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Property Damage

Four years for injury to personal property.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(2) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year for libel or slander — a quarter of what Nebraska gives ordinary negligence.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-208 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Product Liability

Four years from the date of injury, with a ten-year statute of repose under § 25-224(2)(a)(i).

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-224 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Two years from the date of death — half what a surviving injury claimant gets.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-810 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Fraud

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

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(4) ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Four years on an unwritten contract.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-206 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Two years, subject to the same discovery rule and ten-year repose that governs professional negligence generally.

Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-208, 25-222 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Assault & Battery

Four years, since Nebraska's short section does not name assault or battery.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(3) Unverified

4 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Four years for trespass upon real property, named expressly.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(1) ✓ Verified

years

Government claims notice

Written claim within 1 year under the Tort Claims Acts — Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-919, 81-8,227 The Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act requires a written claim to be filed within one year of accrual under § 13-919, and suit within two years. The State Tort Claims Act imposes a parallel regime under § 81-8,227. Section 25-218 separately bars claims by and against the State after a defined period. Both cut sharply into Nebraska's four-year general tort period. Not confirmed against primary text; URL needs repointing.

Common Questions About Nebraska Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Nebraska?

It depends on the type of claim. Nebraska filing deadlines range from 1 year to 5 years — for example, personal injury 4 years, breach of a written contract 5 years, medical malpractice 2 years, defamation 1 year.

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

4 years under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(3). Four years — unusually generous, and double what most states allow. Full personal injury rules →

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

2 years under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-810. Two years from the date of death — half what a surviving injury claimant gets. Full wrongful death rules →

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

2 years under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-222. Two years from the act or omission, with a discovery extension and a ten-year repose. Full medical malpractice rules →

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

5 years under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-205. Five years on a written contract. Foreign judgments carry the same five-year deadline. Full breach of a written contract rules →

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

1 year under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-208. One year for libel or slander — a quarter of what Nebraska gives ordinary negligence. Full defamation rules →

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

4 years under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207(2). Four years for injury to personal property. Full property damage rules →

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

Often, yes. Written claim within 1 year under the Tort Claims Acts under Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-919, 81-8,227. 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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Nebraska Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Nebraska Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Nebraska?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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