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New York Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in New York under the CPLR — generous on contract claims at six years, unforgiving on intentional torts at one, with a 90-day notice trap for municipal defendants.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–6

year filing range

Govt. Notice

0.2

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.

3 YEARS

Personal Injury

Three years for an action to recover damages for a personal injury, except as provided in §§ 214-b, 214-c, 214-i, and 215.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5) ✓ Verified

2.5 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

Two years and six months for medical, dental, or podiatric malpractice, generally from the act complained of or the end of continuous treatment for the same condition.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214-a ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Written Contract

Six years from the date of breach, for an action upon a contractual obligation or liability — one of the longest contract windows in the country.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(2) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Property Damage

Three years for an action to recover damages for an injury to property, except as provided in § 214-c.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(4) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year. Section 215(3) names libel and slander alongside assault, battery, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and violation of the right of privacy.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215(3) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Product Liability

Three years for personal injury caused by a defective product, with § 214-c supplying a three-year-from-discovery rule for injury caused by latent effects of exposure to a substance.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 214(5), 214-c Unverified

2 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Two years from the date of death. This period runs independently of any personal-injury period that applied to the decedent's own claim.

N.Y. Est. Powers & Trusts Law § 5-4.1 ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Fraud

The greater of six years from accrual, or two years from when the plaintiff discovered the fraud or could with reasonable diligence have discovered it.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(8) ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Six years. Section 213(2) reaches contractual obligations whether express or implied, so New York does not shorten the period for unwritten agreements.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(2) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Three years for malpractice other than medical, dental, or podiatric — and expressly regardless of whether the theory is pleaded in contract or tort.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(6) ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Assault & Battery

One year — assault and battery are named expressly in § 215(3), separate from the three-year negligence period.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215(3) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Three years, as an action for injury to property.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(4) ✓ Verified

0.2

years

Government claims notice

Notice of claim served within 90 days — N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law § 50-e A notice of claim must be served within 90 days after the claim arises. The lawsuit itself must generally be commenced within one year and 90 days under § 50-i — far shorter than the three-year CPLR period that would otherwise apply. The municipality may demand a sworn examination before suit. This is one of the strictest notice regimes in the country.

Common Questions About New York Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in New York?

It depends on the type of claim. New York filing deadlines range from 1 year to 6 years — for example, personal injury 3 years, breach of a written contract 6 years, medical malpractice 2.5 years, defamation 1 year.

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

3 years under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). Three years for an action to recover damages for a personal injury, except as provided in §§ 214-b, 214-c, 214-i, and 215. Full personal injury rules →

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in New York?

2 years under N.Y. Est. Powers & Trusts Law § 5-4.1. Two years from the date of death. This period runs independently of any personal-injury period that applied to the decedent's own claim. Full wrongful death rules →

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in New York?

2.5 years under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214-a. Two years and six months for medical, dental, or podiatric malpractice, generally from the act complained of or the end of continuous treatment for the same condition. Full medical malpractice rules →

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in New York?

6 years under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(2). Six years from the date of breach, for an action upon a contractual obligation or liability — one of the longest contract windows in the country. Full breach of a written contract rules →

How long do you have to sue for defamation in New York?

1 year under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215(3). One year. Section 215(3) names libel and slander alongside assault, battery, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and violation of the right of privacy. Full defamation rules →

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in New York?

3 years under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(4). Three years for an action to recover damages for an injury to property, except as provided in § 214-c. Full property damage rules →

Do you have to notify the government before suing in New York?

Often, yes. Notice of claim served within 90 days under N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law § 50-e. 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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New York Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About New York Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in New York?

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

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in New York?

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in New York?

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in New York?

How long do you have to sue for defamation in New York?

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in New York?

Do you have to notify the government before suing in New York?

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