Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in Florida (2026)
In Florida, you generally have 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Enter your incident date below to see your exact deadline.
⚠️ Recent change: Florida's HB 837 ('Tort Reform') reduced the general negligence/personal injury limitations period from 4 years to 2 years. The change applies to causes of action accruing on or after March 24, 2023. Incidents before that date keep the old 4-year period.
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👆 Select your jurisdiction, claim type, and incident date above to see your filing deadline.
Florida Personal Injury Deadline: The Details
| Standard limitations period | 2 years |
|---|---|
| Discovery rule | Yes — clock may start at discovery |
| Tolling for minors | Yes — typically until age 18 |
| Statute citation | Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a) |
What This Means for Your Florida Case
A personal injury claim covers harm to your body or mind caused by someone else's negligence or wrongful act — slip-and-falls, assaults, dog bites, and most accident injuries.
In Florida, the law gives you 2 years from when your claim arises to file a lawsuit for personal injury. Because Florida recognizes a discovery rule for this type of claim, the clock may not start until you discovered — or reasonably should have discovered — the harm. This is important when an injury is not immediately obvious.
Covers most negligence-based bodily injury claims (falls, accidents, assaults). Missing the deadline almost always means losing the right to sue, so if you are close to the 2 years mark, treat it as urgent and speak with an attorney right away.
Common Questions: Personal Injury in Florida
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Florida?
In Florida, the standard statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years, set by Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a). The deadline may change based on tolling, the discovery rule, or other exceptions specific to your case.
When does the clock start for a personal injury claim in Florida?
Florida generally applies a discovery rule for this claim, meaning the clock can start when you knew or reasonably should have known about the harm — not necessarily the date it occurred.
What happens if I miss the personal injury deadline in Florida?
If you file after the statute of limitations expires, the court will usually dismiss your case as time-barred — regardless of its merits. However, exceptions such as tolling for minors or military service, or the discovery rule, may extend your deadline. An attorney can tell you whether any apply.