What is the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania civil limitations are codified at 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5521-5536.

1. Personal Injury — 2 Years

42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2): An action for assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution, or for injuries wrongfully done to the person — 2 years.

2. Written Contract — 4 Years

42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(8): An action upon a contract, obligation or liability founded upon a writing not specified in paragraph (7), under seal or otherwise — 4 years.

3. Oral Contract — 4 Years

Same 4 years under § 5525(a)(3) for oral contracts.

4. Property Damage — 2 Years

42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(3): An action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery thereof — 2 years. Trespass to real property is also 2 years under § 5524(4).

5. Fraud — 2 Years (Discovery Rule)

42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(7): An action upon a negligent or intentional tortious act, including deceit or fraud — 2 years. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Fine v. Checcio (870 A.2d 850 (Pa. 2005)) confirmed the discovery rule applies.

6. Medical Malpractice — 2 Years / 7-Year Repose (MCARE)

40 P.S. § 1303.513 (MCARE Act): Actions for medical professional liability must be commenced within 2 years of the date of accrual; statute of repose of 7 years from the act, except where (a) injury is to a minor, (b) involves a foreign object, or (c) involves death. Minor's claims: until age 20 (§ 1303.513(b)).

7. Wrongful Death — 2 Years

42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2): Wrongful death actions must be brought within 2 years of the date of death.

8. Other Notable Periods

Defamation: 1 year (§ 5523(1)).

Judgments: 4 years, revivable by writ of revival (§ 5526; Pa.R.C.P. 3025-3034).

UCC sale of goods: 4 years (13 Pa.C.S. § 2725).

Action against political subdivision: 6-month notice; suit within 2 years (42 Pa.C.S. § 5522).

Real property recovery: 21 years (§ 5530).

9. Tolling

42 Pa.C.S. § 5533 tolls for minority and incapacity. The discovery rule and fraudulent concealment doctrines apply broadly.

This is legal information, not legal advice.