Defamation Statute of Limitations in Maine

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: 14 M.R.S. § 753 ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

2 years

from Date the defamatory statement is published; discovery rule may delay accrual, under 14 M.R.S. § 753.

Maine law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a defamation lawsuit. The controlling statute is 14 M.R.S. § 753, and the clock generally starts on Date the defamatory statement is published; discovery rule may delay accrual. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.

Maine Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Defamation	2 years	14 M.R.S. § 753
Car Accident	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 752
Credit Card Debt	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 752
Medical Malpractice	3 yrs	24 M.R.S. § 2902
Wrongful Death	3 yrs	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, § 2-807
Personal Injury	6 yrs	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752
Dog Bite	6 yrs	7 M.R.S. § 3961
Slip and Fall	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 752
Breach of Contract	6 yrs	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752
Medical Debt	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 752

When the Clock Starts

In Maine, the limitations period for defamation and libel claims generally begins on Date the defamatory statement is published; discovery rule may delay accrual. Maine recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Maine courts apply a discovery rule; the cause of action accrues when the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the defamatory publication.

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: Written notice required within 365 days after claim accrues under 14 M.R.S. § 8107 for claims against government entities (Maine Tort Claims Act).

14 M.R.S. § 153 allows mitigation of damages in libel actions if the defendant publishes a timely retraction. The statute was most recently amended in 2021. Actions for both libel (written) and slander (spoken) fall under the same 2-year period.

Source: 14 M.R.S. § 753, official Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Maine	2 years	14 M.R.S. § 753
New Hampshire	3 yrs	N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4
Massachusetts	3 yrs	M.G.L. c. 260, § 4
Vermont	3 yrs	12 V.S.A. § 512

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You have 2 years from Date the defamatory statement is published; discovery rule may delay accrual, under 14 M.R.S. § 753.

Can I still sue after 2 years in Maine?

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 defamation and libel claims in Maine?

Yes. Maine courts apply a discovery rule; the cause of action accrues when the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known of the defamatory publication.

What if the victim was a minor?

Maine 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?

Written notice required within 365 days after claim accrues under 14 M.R.S. § 8107 for claims against government entities (Maine Tort Claims Act).

Sources

Official Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 § 753 - Two Years (Actions for Slander and Libel) - Maine Legislature
Corroborating Maine Revised Statutes § 753 - Two Years - Justia US Law
Corroborating Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 Chapter 205 - Limitation of Actions (PDF) - mainelegislature.org
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 Maine attorney.