Common legal statutes of limitations periods for California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Washington state courts:

Please verify before relying on this information.

CALIFORNIA

Civil Matters

• Personal Injury: 2 years (CCP § 335.1)

• Wrongful Death: 2 years (CCP § 335.1)

• Medical Malpractice: 3 years from injury or 1 year from discovery (CCP § 340.5)

• Legal Malpractice: 1 year from discovery, max 4 years (CCP § 340.6)

• Breach of Written Contract: 4 years (CCP § 337)

• Breach of Oral Contract: 2 years (CCP § 339)

• Fraud: 3 years from discovery (CCP § 338)

• Property Damage: 3 years (CCP § 338)

• Collection of Debt: 4 years (CCP § 337)

• Unjust Enrichment: 2-4 years depending on theory

Criminal Matters

• Misdemeanors: 1 year (PC § 802)

• Felonies: Generally 3-6 years, no limit for murder (PC § 799-805)

TEXAS

Civil Matters

• Personal Injury: 2 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003)

• Wrongful Death: 2 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003)

• Medical Malpractice: 2 years from occurrence (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 74.251)

• Legal Malpractice: 2 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003)

• Breach of Written Contract: 4 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004)

• Breach of Oral Contract: 4 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004)

• Fraud: 4 years from discovery (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004)

• Property Damage: 2 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003)

• Collection of Debt: 4 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.004)

Criminal Matters

• Misdemeanors: 2 years (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 12.02)

• Felonies: Generally 3-10 years, no limit for murder (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 12.01)

FLORIDA

Civil Matters

• Personal Injury: 4 years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3))

• Wrongful Death: 2 years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4))

• Medical Malpractice: 2 years from discovery, max 4 years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4))

• Legal Malpractice: 2 years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4))

• Breach of Written Contract: 5 years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2))

• Breach of Oral Contract: 4 years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3))

• Fraud: 4 years from discovery (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3))

• Property Damage: 4 years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3))

• Collection of Debt: 5 years written, 4 years oral (Fla. Stat. § 95.11)

Criminal Matters

• Misdemeanors: 2 years (Fla. Stat. § 775.15)

• Felonies: Generally 3-5 years, no limit for capital felonies (Fla. Stat. § 775.15)

NEW YORK

Civil Matters

• Personal Injury: 3 years (NY CPLR § 214)

• Wrongful Death: 2 years from death (NY EPTL § 5-4.1)

• Medical Malpractice: 2.5 years (NY CPLR § 214-a)

• Legal Malpractice: 3 years (NY CPLR § 214)

• Breach of Written Contract: 6 years (NY CPLR § 213)

• Breach of Oral Contract: 6 years (NY CPLR § 213)

• Fraud: 6 years from commission or 2 years from discovery (NY CPLR § 213)

• Property Damage: 3 years (NY CPLR § 214)

• Collection of Debt: 6 years (NY CPLR § 213)

Criminal Matters

• Misdemeanors: 2 years (NY CPL § 30.10)

• Felonies: Generally 5 years, no limit for Class A felonies (NY CPL § 30.10)

WASHINGTON

Civil Matters

• Personal Injury: 3 years (RCW § 4.16.080)

• Wrongful Death: 3 years (RCW § 4.16.080)

• Medical Malpractice: 3 years from act or 1 year from discovery (RCW § 4.16.350)

• Legal Malpractice: 3 years (RCW § 4.16.080)

• Breach of Written Contract: 6 years (RCW § 4.16.040)

• Breach of Oral Contract: 3 years (RCW § 4.16.080)

• Fraud: 3 years from discovery (RCW § 4.16.080)

• Property Damage: 3 years (RCW § 4.16.080)

• Collection of Debt: 6 years written, 3 years oral (RCW § 4.16.040)

Criminal Matters

• Misdemeanors: 2 years (RCW § 9A.04.080)

• Felonies: Generally 3-10 years, no limit for murder (RCW § 9A.04.080)

QUICK REFERENCE CHART

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. Discovery Rule: Most states toll the statute until the injury is discovered or should have been discovered

2. Minority Tolling: Statutes are often tolled for minors until they reach majority

3. Disability Tolling: Statutes may be tolled for mental incapacity

4. Absence Tolling: Defendant's absence from state may toll limitations

5. Contractual Limitations: Parties may sometimes shorten limitations periods by contract

6. Government Claims: Shorter notice periods often apply to claims against government entities

Key Exceptions:

• California: Medical malpractice has 3-year outside limit regardless of discovery

• Texas: Medical malpractice discovery rule limited to 10 years

• Florida: Complex medical malpractice pre-suit requirements

• New York: Notice of claim requirements for municipal entities

• Washington: 8-year absolute limit on medical malpractice

These time periods are subject to change and specific circumstances may alter the applicable limitations period. Always consult current statutes and case law for specific situations.