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What is the statute of limitations in Ohio?

Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: 2026-04-30

Ohio civil limitations are codified in ORC Chapter 2305.

1. Personal Injury — 2 Years

ORC § 2305.10: Actions for bodily injury or injury to personal property must be brought within 2 years after the cause of action accrues.

2. Written Contract — 8 Years (post-9/28/2012)

ORC § 2305.06: For contracts in writing executed on or after September 28, 2012 — 8 years. For written contracts executed before that date, the prior 15-year period applied (further reduced from 15 to 8 by amendments).

3. Oral Contract — 6 Years

ORC § 2305.07: An action upon a contract not in writing or upon a liability created by statute other than a forfeiture or penalty — 6 years.

4. Property Damage — 4 Years

ORC § 2305.09: An action for trespassing upon real property, the recovery of personal property, or any injury to the rights of the plaintiff not arising on contract nor enumerated in other sections — 4 years. (Note: bodily injury and personal property injury fall under § 2305.10's 2-year rule; § 2305.09 covers other property/equity claims.)

5. Fraud — 4 Years (Discovery Rule)

ORC § 2305.09(C): Actions for relief on the ground of fraud — 4 years, accrual deferred until discovery of the fraud.

6. Medical Malpractice — 1 Year / 4-Year Repose

ORC § 2305.113(A): An action upon a medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic claim must be commenced within 1 year after the cause of action accrued. Statute of repose of 4 years from the act regardless of discovery (§ 2305.113(C)). A 180-day pre-suit notice letter extends the period (§ 2305.113(B)). Minors: extended.

7. Wrongful Death — 2 Years

ORC § 2125.02(D)(1): A civil action for wrongful death shall be commenced within 2 years after the decedent's death.

8. Other Notable Periods

  • Defamation: 1 year (§ 2305.11(A)).
  • Product liability: 2 years (§ 2305.10), 10-year repose for many products (§ 2305.10(C)).
  • UCC sale of goods: 4 years (ORC § 1302.98).
  • Judgments: 5 years dormant; revivable for 21 years (ORC § 2329.07).
  • Action against political subdivision: 2 years (ORC § 2744.04).

    • 9. Tolling

    ORC § 2305.16 tolls for minority (under 18) and unsound mind.

    This is legal information, not legal advice.

    When to Talk to a Lawyer
    • Your potential medical malpractice claim is approaching 1 year
    • Your contract was executed before or after September 28, 2012 (different periods)
    • You have a product liability claim approaching the 10-year repose
    Related Statutes & Laws
    • Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06
    • Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07
    • Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.09
    • Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10
    • Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.113
    • Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.02

    This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.