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Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Pennsylvania under 42 Pa.C.S. ch. 55 — most torts run two years, most contracts four, and written and oral agreements are treated identically.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026
Claim Types
12
claim types tracked
Filing Range
1–4
year filing range
Govt. Notice
0.5
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.
2 YEARS
Personal Injury
Two years from the date of injury for an action to recover damages for injuries to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or unlawful violence of another.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Medical Malpractice
Two years, subject to the discovery rule where the injury or its cause was not reasonably knowable.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 ✓ Verified
4 YEARS
Written Contract
Four years from the date of breach.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5525 ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Property Damage
Two years. Section 5524 covers taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 ✓ Verified
1 YEARS
Defamation
One year from publication for libel, slander, and invasion of privacy — the shortest civil deadline in Pennsylvania.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5523 ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Product Liability
Two years for personal injury caused by a defective product.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 Unverified
2 YEARS
Wrongful Death
Two years, generally from the date of death.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2) ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Fraud
Two years, running from discovery — § 5524(7) covers an action for any other action or proceeding to recover damages for injury to person or property founded on negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct, including deceit or fraud.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(7) ✓ Verified
4 YEARS
Breach of Oral Contract
Four years — Pennsylvania treats written and oral agreements identically, which is unusual. Section 5525(a)(3) names express contracts not founded on a writing.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(3) ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Legal Malpractice
Two years where pleaded as negligence under § 5524, or four years where pleaded as breach of the retainer contract under § 5525.
42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5524, 5525 Unverified
2 YEARS
Assault & Battery
Two years. Assault and battery are named in the two-year section rather than given a shorter intentional-tort window as in New York.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(1) ✓ Verified
2 YEARS
Trespass to Land
Two years for waste or trespass of real property.
42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(4) ✓ Verified
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Legal Forms
0.5
years
Government claims notice
Written notice within 6 months — 42 Pa.C.S. § 5522 Section 5522 requires written notice of intent to sue a government unit within six months of the date the injury was sustained. The notice must state the name and address of the claimant, the date, hour, and place of the injury, and the name and address of any treating physician. The ordinary two-year limitations period still applies on top of the notice requirement.

Common Questions About Pennsylvania Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania?

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

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

2 years under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Two years from the date of injury for an action to recover damages for injuries to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or unlawful violence of another. Full personal injury rules →

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

2 years under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2). Two years, generally from the date of death. Full wrongful death rules →

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

2 years under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Two years, subject to the discovery rule where the injury or its cause was not reasonably knowable. Full medical malpractice rules →

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

4 years under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525. Four years from the date of breach. Full breach of a written contract rules →

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

1 year under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5523. One year from publication for libel, slander, and invasion of privacy — the shortest civil deadline in Pennsylvania. Full defamation rules →

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

2 years under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Two years. Section 5524 covers taking, detaining, or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery. Full property damage rules →

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

Often, yes. Written notice within 6 months under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5522. 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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