Short answer: In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is 2 years for most personal injury, property damage and fraud claims, 1 year for defamation, and 4 years for most contract claims, including written and oral contracts and sales of goods. Some claims have much longer periods, such as 21 years to recover land by adverse possession. If you miss the deadline, the court will usually dismiss the case no matter how strong it is.
This guide lists common Pennsylvania civil deadlines and explains when the clock starts. Deadlines can be shortened by contracts, notice rules or special statutes, so confirm the deadline for your situation with a lawyer as early as possible.
Pennsylvania statute of limitations chart (civil claims)
| Type of claim | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal injury | 2 years |
| Wrongful death and survival actions | 2 years |
| Medical malpractice | 2 years, generally with a 7-year outer limit |
| Damage to personal or real property | 2 years |
| Fraud | 2 years |
| Trespass and conversion | 2 years |
| Defamation (libel and slander) | 1 year |
| Written contract | 4 years |
| Oral or implied contract | 4 years |
| Sale of goods (UCC) | 4 years |
| Promissory notes and other negotiable instruments | Generally 6 years |
| Contracts under seal | 20 years |
| Unpaid wages under the Wage Payment and Collection Law | 3 years |
| Recovering possession of land (adverse possession) | 21 years |
| Construction defects (statute of repose) | 12 years after completion |
| Contesting a probated will | 1 year from probate |
Claims against government agencies often require written notice within 6 months of the injury, well before the regular deadline.
When does the clock start?
The statute of limitations usually starts when the claim “accrues,” which is generally when the injury happens or the contract is breached. Several rules can change that:
- Discovery rule. In some cases, the clock starts when you knew or reasonably should have known about the injury and its cause, not when it happened. Courts apply this narrowly.
- Minors. For many injury claims, the deadline for a child does not begin to run until the child turns 18.
- Fraudulent concealment. If the other side actively hid the claim, the deadline may be extended.
- Continuing contracts. For installment payments, each missed payment may have its own deadline.
Statutes of repose: hard outer limits
A statute of repose sets a final cutoff that applies even if you did not know about the problem. Examples include the 12-year limit for claims arising from construction and the 7-year outer limit for most medical malpractice claims. These cutoffs are rarely extended.
Contracts can shorten the deadline
Pennsylvania allows parties to agree to a shorter, reasonable limitations period in a contract. Insurance policies, construction contracts and some business agreements often do. Read your contract before assuming you have four years.
Business and real estate examples
- Unpaid invoice or breach of a business contract: generally 4 years from the breach.
- Defective work on a home: often 4 years in contract and 2 years in negligence, subject to the 12-year repose period.
- Boundary or land claims: adverse possession takes 21 years. See our guide to adverse possession in Pennsylvania.
- Royalty underpayment: claims under an oil and gas lease are generally contract claims. See warning signs your royalties are underpaid.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
The statute of limitations is a defense the other side can raise. If the deadline has passed and no exception applies, the court will usually dismiss the claim. That is why it is important to talk with a lawyer well before the deadline, since preparing and filing a case takes time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in PA?
Generally 4 years for written, oral and implied contracts, and 4 years for sales of goods under the UCC. Contracts under seal and some negotiable instruments have longer periods.
What is the statute of limitations for fraud in Pennsylvania?
Generally 2 years, often measured from when the fraud was or reasonably should have been discovered.
Does Pennsylvania have a statute of limitations on debt?
Most consumer and business debts are contract claims with a 4-year limit. Once a court enters a judgment, different and longer rules apply.
Can the statute of limitations be paused?
Sometimes. It can be tolled for minors, in some cases of concealment, and in certain other situations. Each exception has specific requirements.
Not sure if you still have time to file? Kostrub Law Firm handles civil litigation, including contract, property and business disputes, in Washington County and the Pittsburgh area. Call (304) 982-1586.
This guide is general information about Pennsylvania law, not legal advice for a specific situation.