The Law Library Staff prepares "Research Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQs) for the convenience of our users to provide access to a variety of sources addressing particular points of law. These are general legal information sources, and are not to be construed as a substitute for personal legal advice from an attorney. Please seek legal counsel to help you determine the applicability of any of the information in these resources to your specific situation. The Law Library makes no recommendation as to whether you should purchase any services offered by the websites contained in this FAQ.
In order to discourage unreasonable delay in bringing civil
lawsuits and criminal prosecutions, statutes of limitations provide time limits
for beginning such actions. These time limits begin to run when the right to
take legal action arises or when a crime is committed. In general, the unexcused
failure to start a case on time bars a court from hearing the case. Some of the
common Ohio time limits for starting civil cases are: 21 years to recover real
estate; 6 years to sue on written contracts; 4 years to sue on oral contracts; 2
years for actions for personal injuries or property damage; and 1 year for
libel, slander, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, and professional
malpractice. Most other types of lawsuits are subject to a four-year
limitation." Ohio
State Bar Association: The Law and You.
Ohio Revised Code Sections Concerning Statute of Limitations:
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The following list provides references to some of the statutes which govern the limitation of certain types of actions. When determining a statute of limitation, care must be taken to consult all relevant statutes and case law. Statute of limitations can be very complex. There may be a separate statute of limitations for actions as specific as: an action to contest diminution of interests in common areas and facilities of condominiums ORC 5311.052, or an asbestos abatement action by a board of education ORC 2305.091. The Cleveland Law Library makes no guarantees that the following list will necessarily provide the correct statute of limitation in your case.
Contract Actions
- Contract in Writng -
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Property Actions
- Trespassing Up
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Tort / Personal Injury Actions
- Fraud - ORC 2305.09
- Wrongful Death - ORC 2125.02(D)
- Injury to Rights of Plaintiff Not Arising on Contract and Not Otherwise Enumerated - ORC 2305.09
- Bodily Injury, Injury to Personal Property, Products Liability - ORC 2305.10
- Libel, Slander, Malicious Prosecution, or False Imprisonment - ORC 2305.11
- Malpractice - ORC 2305.11
- Medical Malpractice - ORC 2305.113
- Assault and Battery - ORC 2305.111
Tax Refunds
- State Income Tax Refund - ORC 5747.11
- State Corporate Tax Refund - ORC 5733.12
- Municipal Income Tax Refund - ORC 718.12
Actions against the Government
- Certain actions against the State in the Court of Claims - ORC 2743.16
- Actions Against Political Subdivions - ORC 2744.04
Any Civil Action Not Otherwise Provided For - ORC 2305.14
Criminal Prosecutions - ORC 2901.13
Federal Criminal Statute of Limitations:
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US Code, Title 18, Chapter 213 deals with statute of limitations for federal criminal offenses. 18 USC 3282 sets out the general statute of limitation for non capital offenses, which applies unless the U.S. Code states otherwise. For example, a different statute of limitations is created for certain terrorist acts, see 18 USC 3286.
Statutes of Limitations in Other States:
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Chart: Statute of Limitations in All 50 States by Nolo.com.
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Findlaw: Ohio Statute of Limitations Laws