Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Alabama

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l) ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

2 years

from Date of injury, under Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l).

Under Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l), you have 2 years from Date of injury to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Alabama. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Alabama-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.

Alabama Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Slip and Fall	2 years	Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)
Car Accident	2 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)
Credit Card Debt	3 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-2-37(1)
Medical Malpractice	2 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-5-482
Wrongful Death	2 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-5-410
Personal Injury	2 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)
Dog Bite	2 yrs	Ala. Code § 3-6-1 (dog bite liability); SOL: Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)
Defamation	2 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-2-38(k)
Breach of Contract	6 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-2-34(4)
Medical Debt	6 yrs	Ala. Code § 6-2-34

When the Clock Starts

In Alabama, the limitations period for slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date of injury. Alabama does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.

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: 6-month verified written claim required for municipal defendants as condition precedent to suit (Ala. Code § 11-47-23); 6-month claim for county defendants (Ala. Code § 11-12-7)

Alabama follows the injury-accrual rule; clock starts on the date of the fall. Municipal and county defendants require a verified written claim within 6 months of the accident before suit may be filed.

Source: Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l), official Alabama 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 Alabama 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 Alabama Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Alabama	2 years	Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)
Florida	2 yrs	Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a)
Georgia	2 yrs	O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33
Tennessee	1 yr	Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)
Mississippi	3 yrs	Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Alabama?

You have 2 years from Date of injury, under Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l).

Can I still sue after 2 years in Alabama?

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?

Alabama 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?

6-month verified written claim required for municipal defendants as condition precedent to suit (Ala. Code § 11-47-23); 6-month claim for county defendants (Ala. Code § 11-12-7)

Sources

Official Ala. Code § 6-2-38 — Alabama Legislature ALISON
Corroborating Alabama Personal Injury Laws — Nolo
Corroborating Ala. Code § 6-2-38 — Justia
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 Alabama attorney.