Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Oregon
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: ORS 12.080(1) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date the cause of action accrues (typically date of breach), under ORS 12.080(1).
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The deadline to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Oregon is 6 years, set by ORS 12.080(1). It starts running on Date the cause of action accrues (typically date of breach). This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Oregon Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Breach of Contract | 6 years | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | ORS 12.110(4) |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | ORS § 30.020 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1) |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | ORS 12.120(2) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) |
When the Clock Starts
In Oregon, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on Date the cause of action accrues (typically date of breach). Oregon does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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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: Tort claims against public bodies require written notice within 180 days under ORS 30.275; contract claims against government may have separate procedural requirements
Oregon applies the same 6-year limitation to both written and oral contracts under ORS 12.080(1) — no distinction based on whether the contract is written or oral. Land sale contracts may have a 5-year limit under ORS 12.060.
Source: ORS 12.080(1), official Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 6 years | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Washington | 6 yrs | RCW 4.16.040 |
| Idaho | 5 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-216 |
| Nevada | 6 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(1)(b) |
| California | 4 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Oregon?
You have 6 years from Date the cause of action accrues (typically date of breach), under ORS 12.080(1).
Can I still sue after 6 years in Oregon?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Oregon 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?
Tort claims against public bodies require written notice within 180 days under ORS 30.275; contract claims against government may have separate procedural requirements
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Sources
- Official Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 12 — Limitations of Actions and Suits (Oregon Legislature)
- Corroborating Oregon Revised Statutes § 12.080 — Justia
- Corroborating Oregon Revised Statutes § 12.080 — 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 Oregon attorney.