Defamation Statute of Limitations in Oregon
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: ORS 12.120(2) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
1 year
from Date of publication of the defamatory statement, under ORS 12.120(2).
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Oregon law sets a hard deadline of 1 year to file a defamation lawsuit. The controlling statute is ORS 12.120(2), and the clock generally starts on Date of publication of the defamatory statement. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Oregon Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Defamation | 1 year | ORS 12.120(2) |
| 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) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) |
When the Clock Starts
In Oregon, the limitations period for defamation and libel claims generally begins on Date of publication of the defamatory statement. 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.
ORS 12.120(2) explicitly states: 'An action for libel or slander shall be commenced within one year.' General minor tolling applies under ORS 12.160 (disability tolling for minors). Oregon's single publication rule means each separate publication does not restart the limitations period.
Source: ORS 12.120(2), 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 | 1 year | ORS 12.120(2) |
| Washington | 2 yrs | Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.100 |
| Idaho | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(5) |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(c) |
| California | 1 yr | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340(c) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a defamation lawsuit in Oregon?
You have 1 year from Date of publication of the defamatory statement, under ORS 12.120(2).
Can I still sue after 1 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.
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Sources
- Official Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 12 – Limitations of Actions and Suits (Oregon Legislature)
- Corroborating ORS 12.120 – Action for Defamation (Justia)
- Corroborating Defamation, Libel, and Slander – Oregon Law Help
- 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.