Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Ohio

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

2 years

from Date of injury, under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10.

Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10, you have 2 years from Date of injury to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Ohio. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Ohio-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.

Ohio Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Slip and Fall	2 years	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10
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
Personal Injury	2 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A)
Dog Bite	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 slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date of injury. Ohio recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Ohio courts apply discovery rule for latent injuries

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: State claims filed in Court of Claims under ORC § 2743.16

Two-year SOL.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10, 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 § 2305.10
Pennsylvania	2 yrs	42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524
West Virginia	2 yrs	W. Va. Code § 55-2-12(b)
Kentucky	1 yr	Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a)
Indiana	2 yrs	Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4
Michigan	3 yrs	Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2)

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You have 2 years from Date of injury, under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10.

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 slip and fall injury claims in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio courts apply discovery rule for latent injuries

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?

State claims filed in Court of Claims under ORC § 2743.16

Sources

Official ORC § 2305.10 – Ohio Laws
Corroborating Ohio Personal Injury Laws – Nolo
Corroborating ORC Chapter 2744 – 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 Ohio attorney.