Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Injuries by State (2026)

If you have been injured on someone else’s property, you may be wondering exactly how long you have to file a lawsuit. In most states, the slip and fall statute of limitations gives you either two or three years from the date of the accident to bring a premises liability claim. However, deadlines can range from a strict one-year limit in states like Louisiana to six years in states like North Dakota.

Understanding this deadline is crucial. If you miss the statute of limitations window, you will be permanently barred from pursuing compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, regardless of how severe your injuries are or how clear the property owner’s negligence was.

This guide covers everything you need to know about slip and fall deadlines, tolling exceptions, and what to do if your time is running out. You can also use our free statute of limitations calculator to estimate your deadline immediately.

What Counts as a Slip and Fall Claim?

In legal terms, a “slip and fall” is a type of personal injury claim that falls under the broader category of premises liability. Premises liability laws hold property owners—whether they are businesses, homeowners, or government entities—responsible for maintaining safe conditions for visitors.

Common examples of slip and fall claims include:

• Slipping on a wet floor in a grocery store where no warning signs were posted.
• Tripping on uneven or broken pavement outside a commercial building.
• Falling down a poorly lit staircase with a broken handrail.
• Injuries caused by icy or snowy walkways that were not cleared in a reasonable time.

Because these cases revolve around an injury to a person, they are almost always governed by a state’s general personal injury statute of limitations.

Typical Statutes of Limitations for Slip and Fall Cases

For the vast majority of slip and fall claims, the legal clock starts ticking on the date of the accident. This is because the injury (the fall) and the cause (the dangerous condition) are usually immediately obvious.

Most states enforce a two-year or three-year deadline for these types of personal injury lawsuits. For example, if you check the California personal injury page, you will find that California enforces a strict two-year deadline. That means you must file a lawsuit in the proper civil court system exactly two years from the day you fell.

It is important to differentiate between filing a lawsuit and filing an insurance claim. You should report the accident and initiate a claim with the property owner’s liability insurance company as soon as possible after the incident. The statute of limitations only dictates the deadline for initiating a formal lawsuit in court.

Slip and Fall Deadlines by State

Because slip and fall cases are classified as personal injury claims, they follow the personal injury deadlines. Below is a reference table for all 50 states and Washington D.C. Always consult a licensed attorney to verify the exact deadline that applies to your specific case.

State	Deadline	Statute
Alabama	2 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-2-38
Alaska	2 yrs	Alaska Stat. § 09.10.070
Arizona	2 yrs	Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542
Arkansas	3 yrs	Ark. Code § 16-56-105
California	2 yrs	Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1
Colorado	2 yrs	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102
Connecticut	2 yrs	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584
Delaware	2 yrs	Del. Code tit. 10 § 8119
District of Columbia	3 yrs	D.C. Code § 12-301
Florida	2 yrs	Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a)
Georgia	2 yrs	Ga. Code § 9-3-33
Hawaii	2 yrs	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7
Idaho	2 yrs	Idaho Code § 5-219
Illinois	2 yrs	735 ILCS 5/13-202
Indiana	2 yrs	Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4
Iowa	2 yrs	Iowa Code § 614.1(2)
Kansas	2 yrs	Kan. Stat. § 60-513
Kentucky	1 yr	Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140
Louisiana	1 yr	La. Civ. Code art. 3492 (now art. 3493.1, 2-yr eff. 2024)
Maine	6 yrs	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14 § 752
Maryland	3 yrs	Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
Massachusetts	3 yrs	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260 § 2A
Michigan	3 yrs	Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805
Minnesota	2 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.07
Mississippi	3 yrs	Miss. Code § 15-1-49
Missouri	5 yrs	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120
Montana	3 yrs	Mont. Code § 27-2-204
Nebraska	4 yrs	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207
Nevada	2 yrs	Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190
New Hampshire	3 yrs	N.H. Rev. Stat. § 508:4
New Jersey	2 yrs	N.J. Stat. § 2A:14-2
New Mexico	3 yrs	N.M. Stat. § 37-1-8
New York	3 yrs	N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214
North Carolina	3 yrs	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52
North Dakota	6 yrs	N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16
Ohio	2 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10
Oklahoma	2 yrs	Okla. Stat. tit. 12 § 95
Oregon	2 yrs	Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110
Pennsylvania	2 yrs	42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524
Rhode Island	3 yrs	R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14
South Carolina	3 yrs	S.C. Code § 15-3-530
South Dakota	3 yrs	S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14
Tennessee	1 yr	Tenn. Code § 28-3-104
Texas	2 yrs	Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003
Utah	4 yrs	Utah Code § 78B-2-307
Vermont	3 yrs	Vt. Stat. tit. 12 § 512
Virginia	2 yrs	Va. Code § 8.01-243
Washington	3 yrs	Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080
West Virginia	2 yrs	W. Va. Code § 55-2-12
Wisconsin	3 yrs	Wis. Stat. § 893.54
Wyoming	4 yrs	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105

States with Short Deadlines

A few states give plaintiffs very little time to act. In Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana, for instance, you have only one year from the date of the fall to file a lawsuit. If you are injured in one of these states, it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

Extended Deadlines and Tolling Scenarios

There are a few narrow circumstances where the statute of limitations can be extended, a process known as “tolling.” The most common reason for tolling in a slip and fall case involves minors. If a child slips and falls on a dangerous property, the statute of limitations generally does not begin until they turn 18.

Conversely, if your injury occurred on government property—such as slipping in a public library, on a city sidewalk, or at a public school—your time to take action is drastically reduced. You usually must file a formal administrative claim against the government agency within a very short timeframe (often 30 to 180 days). Failing to file this notice usually bars any future lawsuit.

Discovery Rule and Latent Injuries After a Fall

The “discovery rule” can sometimes pause the statute of limitations until the victim discovers they have been injured. However, in slip and fall cases, the discovery rule is rarely successfully applied.

Courts expect that a reasonable person who suffers a fall will seek medical attention promptly. Even if you believe you only suffered minor bruises, but discover months later that you have a torn ligament requiring surgery, the legal clock almost certainly started on the day you fell, not the day of the surgery. Never rely on the discovery rule to extend a standard slip and fall deadline.

How to Estimate Your Deadline with a Calculator

Keeping track of these deadlines is vital. To make it easier, you can use our free statute of limitations calculator. By inputting your state, selecting “Personal Injury” (which covers premises liability), and entering the date of your fall, you can get a quick estimate of your legal deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss the statute of limitations for my slip and fall?

If the deadline passes and you attempt to file a lawsuit, the defendant will ask the court to dismiss the case. The judge will grant the request, and you will lose your right to sue or collect compensation.

Can I sue if I was partially at fault for the fall?

In most states, yes, under a system called “comparative negligence.” Your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages as long as you file within the statute of limitations.

Are slip and fall deadlines different for renters vs. homeowners?

The statute of limitations remains the same regardless of your living situation. Whether you fell at a friend’s house, in your rented apartment complex, or at a commercial business, the personal injury deadline for that state applies.

Does the clock stop if I am in settlement negotiations with the property owner’s insurance?

No. The statute of limitations clock continues to tick even while you are actively negotiating an insurance settlement. The only way to stop the clock is to formally file a lawsuit in the proper civil court.

To see an estimated timeline for your specific case, check our statute of limitations calculator, and always consult a licensed attorney to ensure your rights are protected.