Statute of Limitations in Alabama
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Alabama generally allows 3 years for personal injury claims and 6 years for contract breaches from the date of injury or breach.
How Alabama treats Statute of Limitations
Personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 3 years under Alabama Code § 6-2-38. Contract disputes typically have a 6-year window to file. The statute of limitations begins running when the injury occurs or the breach happens, not when the plaintiff discovers the harm. Alabama does not recognize a discovery rule for most personal injury cases, meaning the clock starts immediately regardless of when you learn about the injury.
The general definition of Statute of Limitations
A law setting the maximum time period within which a lawsuit can be filed after an injury or breach occurs.
Every type of legal claim has a deadline. Once that deadline passes, you lose the right to sue, even if you have a valid claim. The statute of limitations varies depending on the type of case—contract disputes might have a different deadline than personal injury claims, for example. These time limits exist to protect defendants from being sued years or decades after an event, when evidence may be lost and memories fade. Once the deadline expires, the claim is essentially dead, and courts will dismiss any lawsuit filed after that point.
Read the full Statute of Limitations entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.