New York's Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) governs filing deadlines across the state's busy court system. With millions of legal disputes filed annually in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and beyond, missing a deadline by even a single day can permanently end your case.
New York Statute of Limitations — Quick Reference
| Case Type | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 3 years |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 years 6 months |
| Written Contracts | 6 years |
| Oral Contracts | 6 years |
| Property Damage | 3 years |
| Defamation (Libel/Slander) | 1 year |
| Fraud | 6 years (or 2 from discovery) |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years |
Detailed Breakdown by Case Type
Personal Injury
New York gives plaintiffs 3 years from the date of injury for most personal injury claims — longer than many states. This includes car accidents, slip-and-falls, and product liability cases.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice has a unique 2.5-year window. For foreign object cases, the limit is 1 year and 3 months from discovery. Lavern's Law allows certain cancer misdiagnosis cases to use the discovery rule.
Written Contracts
Both written and oral contracts have a generous 6-year window in New York — one of the longest in the country.
Oral Contracts
Verbal agreements get the same 6-year protection as written contracts in New York.
Property Damage
Property damage claims have a 3-year limit from the date of damage.
Defamation (Libel/Slander)
Defamation claims must be filed within 1 year from publication. This applies to social media posts, news articles, and verbal statements.
Fraud
Fraud claims have a unique dual rule: 6 years from the act OR 2 years from discovery, whichever is later.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death claims must be filed within 2 years of the death by the personal representative of the estate.
⏸️ New York Tolling & Exceptions
New York tolling provisions include: infancy (until age 18); insanity at the time the cause of action accrues; the defendant being out of state; and the continuous treatment doctrine for medical malpractice cases.
Calculate Your Exact Filing Deadline
Use our free interactive tool to enter your incident date and get the exact deadline — with days remaining and urgency alerts.
Use the Free Checker Tool →