Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Iowa
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Iowa Code § 614.1(2) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of injury; discovery rule may toll the clock, under Iowa Code § 614.1(2).
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Iowa law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The controlling statute is Iowa Code § 614.1(2), and the clock generally starts on Date of injury; discovery rule may toll the clock. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Iowa Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Credit Card Debt | 5 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(4) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(9) |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 351.28 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Breach of Contract | 10 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(5)(a) |
| Medical Debt | 5 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(4) |
When the Clock Starts
In Iowa, the limitations period for personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date of injury; discovery rule may toll the clock. Iowa recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Iowa applies the discovery rule, tolling the SOL until the plaintiff discovered or in the exercise of reasonable care should have discovered the injury and its cause
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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: 60 days written notice required for claims against governmental bodies under Iowa Code § 670.5
- Damage caps: No statutory cap on compensatory damages in general personal injury claims in Iowa
Modified comparative fault (51% bar) under Iowa Code Ch. 668. The 2-year SOL under § 614.1(2) covers injury to person claims including slip-and-fall, premises liability, dog bite, and general negligence.
Source: Iowa Code § 614.1(2), official Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 2 years | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Minnesota | 2 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1) |
| Wisconsin | 3 yrs | Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m) |
| Illinois | 2 yrs | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-202 |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) |
| Nebraska | 4 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 |
| South Dakota | 3 yrs | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14(3) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Iowa?
You have 2 years from Date of injury; discovery rule may toll the clock, under Iowa Code § 614.1(2).
Can I still sue after 2 years in Iowa?
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 personal injury lawsuits in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa applies the discovery rule, tolling the SOL until the plaintiff discovered or in the exercise of reasonable care should have discovered the injury and its cause
What if the victim was a minor?
Iowa 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?
60 days written notice required for claims against governmental bodies under Iowa Code § 670.5
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Sources
- Official Iowa Code Chapter 614 – Limitations of Actions (Iowa Legislature)
- Corroborating Iowa Personal Injury Statute of Limitations – Nolo
- Corroborating Iowa Civil Statute of Limitations Laws – 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 Iowa attorney.