Estimate how much time you may have to file a civil claim based on your state and claim type. If a deadline is approaching, act immediately.
Filing deadlines are legally complex. Exceptions such as the discovery rule, tolling for minors or incapacity, claims against government entities (which often have much shorter notice requirements), and fraudulent concealment can all change the deadline significantly. This tool provides a rough general estimate only. If your deadline may be approaching, contact a licensed attorney in your state immediately. Missing a civil filing deadline permanently bars most claims.
Select your state, claim type, and the date the incident occurred.
Select your state, claim type, and incident date to estimate your filing window.
⚠️ Estimate only — not legal advice. Results are for informational purposes only. Consult a licensed attorney before making any decisions.
In many states, the clock starts when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the harm — not necessarily the date of the incident. Common in medical malpractice and fraud cases.
Claims against federal, state, or local government entities typically require a formal "notice of claim" within 60–180 days of the incident — far shorter than the standard filing window.
The deadline can be paused (tolled) for minors, people with mental incapacity, defendants who left the state, or cases of fraudulent concealment. An attorney can evaluate whether tolling applies.
In almost all cases, missing the deadline permanently bars your claim. The defendant can file a motion to dismiss, and courts will typically grant it. This is one of the most common and devastating legal mistakes. If your deadline is close, contact an attorney today — not tomorrow.
Not always. For some claims — particularly medical malpractice, fraud, and latent injury cases — the clock may start from the date you discovered the harm or reasonably should have discovered it. Some states also have "occurrence" rules vs. "discovery" rules depending on the claim type.
Yes, but government tort claims are governed by special rules. Most states require you to file a formal "administrative claim" or "notice of claim" with the government agency — often within 90 to 180 days of the incident. Missing this notice deadline can waive your right to sue entirely, even if the regular filing deadline hasn't passed.
Generally no — civil and criminal proceedings are separate. However, in some states, a pending criminal investigation may toll (pause) the civil deadline. An attorney can advise on how the two interact in your state.
Don't wait. Missing a civil filing deadline can permanently end your ability to seek compensation. An attorney can evaluate the exact deadline in your specific case.
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