Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Ohio
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from When the cause of action accrues (date of breach), under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06.
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If you're researching breach of contract claims in Ohio, the single most important number is 6 years. That's how long Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 gives you to file a breach of contract lawsuit, counted from When the cause of action accrues (date of breach). File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Ohio Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Breach of Contract | 6 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C) |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.113 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.02 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.11(A) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
When the Clock Starts
In Ohio, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on When the cause of action accrues (date of breach). Ohio recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Ohio applies the discovery rule; accrual may be tolled until plaintiff discovered or through reasonable diligence should have discovered the breach
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Contract claims against the State of Ohio must be brought in the Ohio Court of Claims within the applicable period (ORC § 2743.16); claims against political subdivisions may require notice under the Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act
Written contracts: 6 years (ORC § 2305.06), effective June 16, 2021 (reduced from prior 8-year period under H.B. 13). Oral/unwritten contracts: 4 years (ORC § 2305.07), effective June 16, 2021 (reduced from prior 6-year period). CAUTION: A new version of ORC § 2305.06 is scheduled to take effect September 23, 2026 — verify current period at that time. Minor tolling under ORC § 2305.16.
Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06, official Ohio statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Ohio government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Ohio Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 6 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 yrs | 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(8) |
| West Virginia | 10 yrs | W. Va. Code § 55-2-6 |
| Kentucky | 10 yrs | KRS 413.160 |
| Indiana | 10 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11 |
| Michigan | 6 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5807(9) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Ohio?
You have 6 years from When the cause of action accrues (date of breach), under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Ohio?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to breach of contract claims in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio applies the discovery rule; accrual may be tolled until plaintiff discovered or through reasonable diligence should have discovered the breach
What if the victim was a minor?
Ohio generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Contract claims against the State of Ohio must be brought in the Ohio Court of Claims within the applicable period (ORC § 2743.16); claims against political subdivisions may require notice under the Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act
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Sources
- Official Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 — Contract in Writing (Ohio Laws)
- Corroborating Ohio Revised Code § 2305.06 (Justia)
- Corroborating ORC § 2305.06 (FindLaw)
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Ohio attorney.