Defamation Statute of Limitations in Kansas

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: K.S.A. § 60-514(a) ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

1 year

from Date of publication (SOL begins when the defamatory statement is published, not when discovered), under K.S.A. § 60-514(a).

If you're researching defamation and libel claims in Kansas, the single most important number is 1 year. That's how long K.S.A. § 60-514(a) gives you to file a defamation lawsuit, counted from Date of publication (SOL begins when the defamatory statement is published, not when discovered). File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.

Kansas Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Defamation	1 year	K.S.A. § 60-514(a)
Car Accident	2 yrs	K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4)
Credit Card Debt	3 yrs	K.S.A. § 60-512(1)
Medical Malpractice	2 yrs	K.S.A. 60-513(a)(7), (c)
Wrongful Death	2 yrs	K.S.A. § 60-1901
Personal Injury	2 yrs	Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4)
Dog Bite	2 yrs	K.S.A. § 47-645
Slip and Fall	2 yrs	K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4)
Breach of Contract	5 yrs	K.S.A. 60-511(1)
Medical Debt	5 yrs	K.S.A. § 60-511(1)

When the Clock Starts

In Kansas, the limitations period for defamation and libel claims generally begins on Date of publication (SOL begins when the defamatory statement is published, not when discovered). Kansas does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.

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.

One-year SOL for libel or slander under K.S.A. § 60-514(a): 'The following actions shall be brought within one year: (a) An action for libel or slander.' Clock begins at publication date per Kansas case law. No discovery rule applies. Minor tolling under K.S.A. § 60-515.

Source: K.S.A. § 60-514(a), official Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Kansas	1 year	K.S.A. § 60-514(a)
Nebraska	1 yr	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-208
Missouri	2 yrs	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.140
Oklahoma	1 yr	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(4)
Colorado	1 yr	C.R.S. § 13-80-103(1)(a)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a defamation lawsuit in Kansas?

You have 1 year from Date of publication (SOL begins when the defamatory statement is published, not when discovered), under K.S.A. § 60-514(a).

Can I still sue after 1 years in Kansas?

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?

Kansas 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.

Sources

Official K.S.A. § 60-514 — Actions Limited to One Year (Kansas Revisor of Statutes)
Corroborating K.S.A. § 60-514 — Justia US Law
Corroborating Kansas Statutes 60-514 — LawServer
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 Kansas attorney.