There are time limits for filing both civil and criminal cases, referred to as the statute of limitations. In the context of civil litigation, these limits are meant to ensure: that potential plaintiffs can't threaten lawsuits indefinitely, to protect the integrity of evidence (including eyewitness testimony), and to encourage the timely resolution of disputes.
It is important to make note of the statute of limitations for your claim, because if you file a case after the statute of limitations has passed, your case will most likely be dismissed -- even if your claim is valid, and you are virtually guaranteed a win. There are, however, some instances in which a court may allow a case to proceed even after the deadline has passed (usually these exceptions involve some sort of fraud on the part of the defendant).
In Ohio, civil statute of limitations laws impose a one-year limit on personal injury, defamation, and medical malpractice claims.
Ohio's civil statute of limitations laws are explained in the following chart. See Time Limit Considerations in Medical Malpractice Claims for more information.
| Injury to Person | 2 yrs. §2305.11(a); 2305.10; 2305.111 |
| Libel/Slander | 1 yr. §2305.11(a) |
| Fraud | 4 yrs. §2305.09(c) |
| Injury to Personal Property | 2 yrs. §2305.10 |
| Professional Malpractice | 1 yr.; Medical: 1 yr. to give notice which extends time 180 days after notice, max. 4 yrs. §§2305.11(a); 2305.113 |
| Trespass | 4 yrs. §2305.09(a) |
| Collection of Rents | - |
| Contracts | |
| Collection of Debt on Account | 6 yrs. §2305.07 |
| Judgments | 21 yrs. §2325.18 |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an Ohio personal injury attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
More Information
If you’d like additional information on Ohio’s laws relating to civil statute of limitations, feel free to check out the links to related resources listed below. For general information on the topic, take a look at FindLaw’s Details on State Civil Statute of Limitations article. Finally, if you have a civil claim, you should consider speaking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your legal rights are protected.
Research the Law
Ohio Civil Statute of Limitations Laws: Related Resources
Learn More About Ohio Civil Statute of Limitations from a Lawyer
Ohio's civil statute of limitations depends on the type of case being filed. If you're dealing with a personal injury or other civil matter, it's a good idea to contact a local litigation attorney who can help you file your lawsuit within the required time limits.
