Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524 ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

2 years

from Date of injury or discovery, under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524.

The deadline to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Pennsylvania is 2 years, set by 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524. It starts running on Date of injury or discovery. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.

Pennsylvania Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Slip and Fall	2 years	42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524
Car Accident	2 yrs	42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2)
Credit Card Debt	4 yrs	42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)
Medical Malpractice	2 yrs	42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2), (7)
Wrongful Death	2 yrs	42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524(2)
Personal Injury	2 yrs	42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524(2)
Dog Bite	2 yrs	3 Pa.C.S. § 459-502 (Dog Law); SOL: 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2)
Defamation	1 yr	42 Pa.C.S. § 5523(1)
Breach of Contract	4 yrs	42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(8)
Medical Debt	4 yrs	42 Pa. C.S. § 5525(a)

When the Clock Starts

In Pennsylvania, the limitations period for slip and fall injury claims generally begins on Date of injury or discovery. Pennsylvania recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: PA applies discovery rule

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 notice under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5522
Damage caps: Commonwealth agency: $250,000; local agency: $500,000 under § 8553

Two-year SOL.

Source: 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524, official Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Pennsylvania	2 years	42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524
New York	3 yrs	N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5)
New Jersey	2 yrs	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-2
Delaware	2 yrs	Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 8119
Maryland	3 yrs	Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101
West Virginia	2 yrs	W. Va. Code § 55-2-12(b)
Ohio	2 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You have 2 years from Date of injury or discovery, under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524.

Can I still sue after 2 years in Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania?

Yes. PA applies discovery rule

What if the victim was a minor?

Pennsylvania 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 notice under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5522

Sources

Official 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524 – PA General Assembly
Corroborating Pennsylvania Personal Injury Laws – Nolo
Corroborating 42 Pa. C.S. § 5522 – 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 Pennsylvania attorney.