Ohio Statute of Limitations
Time limits for filing civil lawsuits in Ohio. The statute of limitations varies by claim type. Once the deadline passes, you generally cannot file suit.
Data last updated: Apr 16, 2026Key Takeaways
- Written Contracts: 8 years (Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06).
- Oral Contracts: 6 years (Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07).
- Personal Injury: 2 years (Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10).
- Property Damage: 2 years (Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10).
Ohio Statute of Limitations by Claim Type
| Claim Type | Time Limit | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Contracts | 8 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 | Accrues on the date of breach. Was 15 years prior to 2012 reform. |
| Oral Contracts | 6 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07 | Accrues on the date of breach. |
| Personal Injury | 2 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 | Accrues on the date of injury. Discovery rule applies. |
| Property Damage | 2 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 | Accrues when damage occurs. |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 year | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.113 | 1 year from the act or from discovery. 4-year statute of repose. |
| Debt Collection | 8 years | Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2305.06, 2305.07 | Written debts: 8 years. Oral debts: 6 years. |
| Fraud | 4 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.09(C) | 4 years from discovery of the fraud. |
General Notes for Ohio
Ohio has an 8-year period for written contract claims (reduced from 15 years by 2012 reform) and a 6-year period for oral contracts. Medical malpractice has a very short 1-year period with a 4-year statute of repose. The discovery rule applies broadly to personal injury and medical malpractice claims.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the statute of limitations for debt in Ohio?
Written debts have an 8-year statute of limitations, while oral debts have a 6-year limit.
-
How short is the medical malpractice deadline in Ohio?
Ohio has one of the shortest medical malpractice statutes of limitations at just 1 year from the act or from discovery, with a 4-year statute of repose.
-
Does Ohio apply the discovery rule?
Yes. Ohio applies the discovery rule for personal injury and medical malpractice claims, meaning the clock starts when the injury is or should have been discovered.