Texas operates under one of the largest civil court systems in the United States, with statutes of limitations governed by the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. From Houston to Dallas to Austin, these deadlines are enforced strictly — and many cases get dismissed simply because plaintiffs waited too long.
Texas Statute of Limitations — Quick Reference
| Case Type | Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 years |
| Written Contracts | 4 years |
| Oral Contracts | 4 years |
| Property Damage | 2 years |
| Defamation (Libel/Slander) | 1 year |
| Fraud | 4 years |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years |
Detailed Breakdown by Case Type
Personal Injury
Most personal injury claims in Texas — including auto accidents, premises liability, and assault — must be filed within 2 years from the date of injury.
Medical Malpractice
Texas requires medical malpractice claims to be filed within 2 years of the date of treatment or breach. There's an absolute 10-year statute of repose, meaning even discovery rule cases must be filed within 10 years.
Written Contracts
Both written and oral contract claims have the same 4-year deadline in Texas, measured from the date of breach.
Oral Contracts
Unlike many states, Texas treats oral and written contracts the same — both have 4 years.
Property Damage
Damage to real or personal property must be filed within 2 years.
Defamation (Libel/Slander)
Defamation claims must be brought within just 1 year from publication.
Fraud
Fraud claims have a 4-year window from the date of discovery — Texas applies the discovery rule for fraud.
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death claims must be filed within 2 years from the date of death.
⏸️ Texas Tolling & Exceptions
Texas tolling provisions include: minority (claims by minors are tolled until age 18); mental incapacity; the defendant being absent from the state; and limited discovery rule applications. Texas also recognizes equitable tolling in narrow circumstances.
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