Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Ohio
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of injury; or date of discovery for exposure-related and latent injury conditions, under Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A).
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If you're researching personal injury lawsuits in Ohio, the single most important number is 2 years. That's how long Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A) gives you to file a personal injury lawsuit, counted from Date of injury; or date of discovery for exposure-related and latent injury conditions. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Ohio Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C) |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.113 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.02 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.11(A) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
When the Clock Starts
In Ohio, the limitations period for personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date of injury; or date of discovery for exposure-related and latent injury conditions. Ohio recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Ohio discovery rule applies for latent and exposure-related claims under ORC § 2305.10(B): clock starts when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of 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: Claims against the State of Ohio must be filed in the Court of Claims within 2 years (same general deadline) (Ohio Rev. Code § 2743.16(A))
- Damage caps: $250,000 or 3x economic damages (whichever is greater) cap on noneconomic damages in most tort cases (Ohio Rev. Code § 2315.18); punitive damages capped at 2x compensatory
Modified comparative fault; plaintiff barred if 51% or more at fault (Ohio Rev. Code § 2315.33). Ohio's noneconomic damage cap is significant in personal injury litigation. Product liability: separate 10-year statute of repose from date of first sale.
Source: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A), official Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 2 years | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A) |
| Pennsylvania | 2 yrs | 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524(2) |
| West Virginia | 2 yrs | W. Va. Code § 55-2-12(b) |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(a) |
| Indiana | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4(a)(1) |
| Michigan | 3 yrs | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Ohio?
You have 2 years from Date of injury; or date of discovery for exposure-related and latent injury conditions, under Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A).
Can I still sue after 2 years in Ohio?
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 Ohio?
Yes. Ohio discovery rule applies for latent and exposure-related claims under ORC § 2305.10(B): clock starts when plaintiff knows or reasonably should know of injury and its cause
What if the victim was a minor?
Ohio 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?
Claims against the State of Ohio must be filed in the Court of Claims within 2 years (same general deadline) (Ohio Rev. Code § 2743.16(A))
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Sources
- Official Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 — Ohio Laws and Rules
- Corroborating Ohio Personal Injury Statute of Limitations — Nolo
- Corroborating Ohio Statutes of Limitations — 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 Ohio attorney.