Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Maine
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: 14 M.R.S. § 752 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date of injury, under 14 M.R.S. § 752.
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Maine law sets a hard deadline of 6 years to file a slip and fall lawsuit. The controlling statute is 14 M.R.S. § 752, and the clock generally starts on Date of injury. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Maine Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Slip and Fall | 6 years | 14 M.R.S. § 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 |
| Personal Injury | 6 yrs | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 |
| Dog Bite | 6 yrs | 7 M.R.S. § 3961 |
| 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 slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date of injury. Maine 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.
- Government-claim trap: 120 days
- Damage caps: $400,000 cap
Maine 6-year SOL.
Source: 14 M.R.S. § 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 | 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
| New Hampshire | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 508:4 |
| Massachusetts | 3 yrs | M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A |
| Vermont | 3 yrs | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 512(4) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Maine?
You have 6 years from Date of injury, under 14 M.R.S. § 752.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Maine?
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?
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?
120 days
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Sources
- Official 14 M.R.S. § 752
- Corroborating Justia
- Corroborating Nolo
- 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.