Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Oklahoma

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3) ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

2 years

from Date of injury, under Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3).

The deadline to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Oklahoma is 2 years, set by Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3). It starts running on Date of injury. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.

Oklahoma Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Slip and Fall	2 years	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3)
Car Accident	2 yrs	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3)
Credit Card Debt	5 yrs	12 O.S. § 95(A)(1)
Medical Malpractice	2 yrs	Okla. Stat. tit. 76, § 18
Wrongful Death	2 yrs	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 1053
Personal Injury	2 yrs	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3)
Dog Bite	2 yrs	4 O.S. § 42.1 (strict liability); SOL: 12 O.S. § 95(A)(3)
Defamation	1 yr	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(4)
Breach of Contract	5 yrs	12 O.S. § 95(A)(1)
Medical Debt	5 yrs	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(1)

When the Clock Starts

In Oklahoma, the limitations period for slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date of injury. Oklahoma recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: OK 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: 1-year notice under Oklahoma GTCA 51 O.S. § 156
Damage caps: $175,000 per claim under 51 O.S. § 154(A)

Two-year SOL for private falls.

Source: Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3), official Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Oklahoma	2 years	Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3)
Kansas	2 yrs	K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4)
Missouri	5 yrs	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4)
Arkansas	3 yrs	Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105
Texas	2 yrs	Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(a)
New Mexico	3 yrs	NMSA 1978 § 37-1-8
Colorado	2 yrs	C.R.S. § 13-80-102

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You have 2 years from Date of injury, under Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3).

Can I still sue after 2 years in Oklahoma?

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 Oklahoma?

Yes. OK courts apply discovery rule for latent injuries

What if the victim was a minor?

Oklahoma 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?

1-year notice under Oklahoma GTCA 51 O.S. § 156

Sources

Official Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95 – OSCN
Corroborating Oklahoma Personal Injury Laws – Nolo
Corroborating 51 O.S. § 153 – 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 Oklahoma attorney.