Statute of Limitations in Idaho
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Idaho sets a 2-year deadline for personal injury claims and 5 years for written contracts.
How Idaho treats Statute of Limitations
Idaho Code § 5-219 establishes a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury, negligence, and wrongful death actions. Written contract claims generally have 5 years to file under Idaho Code § 5-216, while oral contracts have 4 years. The statute begins running from the date of injury or breach, though Idaho recognizes a discovery rule in some medical malpractice cases where the injury was hidden.
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 Idaho.