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Utah Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Utah under Utah Code tit. 78B, ch. 2 — four years for personal injury, one of the longest in the country, but only one year for defamation.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

1–6

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 from the date of injury — one of the longest general personal-injury periods in the country, behind only Missouri's five and Minnesota's six.

Utah Code § 78B-2-307 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

Two years from when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered, with a four-year repose from the act.

Utah Code § 78B-3-404 ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Written Contract

Six years from breach on a written instrument.

Utah Code § 78B-2-309 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Property Damage

Three years for damage to property.

Utah Code § 78B-2-305 ✓ Verified

1 YEARS

Defamation

One year for libel or slander — a quarter of what Utah gives ordinary personal injury.

Utah Code § 78B-2-302(4) ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Product Liability

Two years from when the claimant discovered, or should have discovered, both the harm and its cause.

Utah Code § 78B-6-706 ✓ Verified

2 YEARS

Wrongful Death

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

Utah Code § 78B-2-304 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Fraud

Three years, with the clock starting when the aggrieved party discovers or should have discovered the facts constituting the fraud.

Utah Code § 78B-2-305 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Four years on an unwritten contract.

Utah Code § 78B-2-307 ✓ Verified

4 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Four years generally, though a claim framed on a written retainer may attract the six-year § 78B-2-309.

Utah Code § 78B-2-307 Unverified

4 YEARS

Assault & Battery

Four years, under the general four-year period — the same as ordinary personal injury in Utah.

Utah Code § 78B-2-307 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Three years for trespass.

Utah Code § 78B-2-305 ✓ Verified

years

Government claims notice

Notice of claim within 1 year — Utah Code § 63G-7-402 The Governmental Immunity Act of Utah requires a notice of claim to be filed within one year after the claim arises, and suit within one year after the claim is denied. That one year replaces the four years an ordinary Utah personal injury claimant would get — a 4:1 reduction that catches people out. Not confirmed against primary text; URL needs repointing to Title 63G.

Common Questions About Utah Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Utah?

It depends on the type of claim. Utah filing deadlines range from 1 year to 6 years — for example, personal injury 4 years, breach of a written contract 6 years, medical malpractice 2 years, defamation 1 year.

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

4 years under Utah Code § 78B-2-307. Four years from the date of injury — one of the longest general personal-injury periods in the country, behind only Missouri's five and Minnesota's six. Full personal injury rules →

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

2 years under Utah Code § 78B-2-304. 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 Utah?

2 years under Utah Code § 78B-3-404. Two years from when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered, with a four-year repose from the act. Full medical malpractice rules →

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

6 years under Utah Code § 78B-2-309. Six years from breach on a written instrument. Full breach of a written contract rules →

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

1 year under Utah Code § 78B-2-302(4). One year for libel or slander — a quarter of what Utah gives ordinary personal injury. Full defamation rules →

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

3 years under Utah Code § 78B-2-305. Three years for damage to property. Full property damage rules →

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

Often, yes. Notice of claim within 1 year under Utah Code § 63G-7-402. 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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Utah Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Utah Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Utah?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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