Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Maine
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date civil action accrues (generally date of injury); discovery rule may apply, under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752.
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The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Maine is 6 years, set by Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752. It starts running on Date civil action accrues (generally date of injury); discovery rule may apply. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Maine Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 6 years | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 |
| 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 |
| Dog Bite | 6 yrs | 7 M.R.S. § 3961 |
| Slip and Fall | 6 yrs | 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | 14 M.R.S. § 753 |
| 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 personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date civil action accrues (generally date of injury); discovery rule may apply. Maine recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Maine applies a discovery rule in some cases, tolling the 6-year SOL until the plaintiff discovered or should have discovered the injury. The general 6-year period is the catch-all for civil actions.
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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: 180 days written notice required for claims against governmental entities under the Maine Tort Claims Act, 14 M.R.S. § 8107
- Damage caps: Claims against governmental entities capped at $400,000 per claimant under 14 M.R.S. § 8105; no cap for general personal injury claims against private defendants
Modified comparative fault (50% bar) under 14 M.R.S. § 156. Maine has an unusually long 6-year catch-all personal injury SOL; shorter periods apply to specific torts (defamation 2 years, ski area injuries 2 years, medical malpractice 3 years, legal malpractice 2 years).
Source: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752, 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 | 6 years | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 |
| New Hampshire | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 |
| Massachusetts | 3 yrs | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A |
| Vermont | 3 yrs | 12 V.S.A. § 512(4) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Maine?
You have 6 years from Date civil action accrues (generally date of injury); discovery rule may apply, under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752.
Can I still sue after 6 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 personal injury lawsuits in Maine?
Yes. Maine applies a discovery rule in some cases, tolling the 6-year SOL until the plaintiff discovered or should have discovered the injury. The general 6-year period is the catch-all for civil actions.
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?
180 days written notice required for claims against governmental entities under the Maine Tort Claims Act, 14 M.R.S. § 8107
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Sources
- Official 14 M.R.S. § 752 – Limitation of civil actions (Maine Legislature)
- Corroborating Maine Personal Injury Laws and Statutes of Limitations – Nolo
- Corroborating Maine 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 Maine attorney.