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Florida Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type

Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 18, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 18, 2026. · 8 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content

Florida Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Florida?

Florida allows two years to file a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence for claims arising on or after March 24, 2023. Claims that arose before that date follow the previous four-year deadline. This change was enacted through HB 837, Florida's 2023 tort reform law.

Is there a statute of limitations on murder in Florida?

No. Florida law allows prosecution for murder, capital felonies, life felonies, and any felony resulting in death at any time. There is no filing deadline for these offenses under Fla. Stat. § 775.15(1).

How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Florida?

For written contracts, Florida provides a five-year statute of limitations under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(b). Oral contract disputes must be filed within four years under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(j).

What happens if I miss the statute of limitations deadline in Florida?

If you file after the deadline, the opposing party can file a motion to dismiss your case. Once the court grants that motion, your claim is permanently barred. You lose the right to pursue that legal action.

Can the statute of limitations be extended or paused in Florida?

Yes. Florida recognizes tolling exceptions for minors (up to 7 years), legally incapacitated individuals, and situations where the defendant leaves the state. The discovery rule may also delay the start of the clock for claims like medical malpractice and fraud, where the injury is not immediately apparent.

Updates

Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes

Fixed an outdated statute citation for the oral-contract deadline (now Fla. Stat. 95.11(4)(j), not (3)(j)).

Corrected the pinpoint subsection cites throughout the Fla. Stat. § 95.11 civil deadlines table and prose (personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, libel/slander, fraud, trespass, injury to personal property, professional malpractice, oral contracts, specific performance, property insurance, products liability -- all were off by one subsection or letter), corrected the sexual-battery 8-year deadline's citation from § 775.15(7) to § 775.15(14)(b), and fixed the under-18 tolling rule: the clock is paused until the victim turns 18 (§ 775.15(13)(a)), not 16.

Governing law re-checked for recent changes

Reviewed and approved by an editor

Sources and References

  1. Fla. Stat. § 95.11 - Limitations Other Than for the Recovery of Real Property (2025 Florida Statutes)(leg.state.fl.us).gov
  2. Fla. Stat. § 775.15 - Time Limitations; General Time Limitations; Exceptions (2025 Florida Statutes)(leg.state.fl.us).gov
  3. Fla. Stat. § 95.11 - 2025 Florida Statutes (Florida Senate)(flsenate.gov).gov
  4. Fla. Stat. § 775.15 - 2025 Florida Statutes (Florida Senate)(m.flsenate.gov).gov
  5. CS/CS/HB 837 Civil Remedies - Bill Analysis (Florida Senate)(flsenate.gov).gov
  6. Fla. Stat. § 768.81 - Comparative Fault (2025 Florida Statutes)(leg.state.fl.us).gov
  7. Fla. Stat. § 95.051 - When Limitations Tolled (2025 Florida Statutes)(flsenate.gov).gov
  8. Fla. Stat. § 794.011 - Sexual Battery (2025 Florida Statutes)(leg.state.fl.us).gov
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