Statute of Limitations in Indiana
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Indiana allows 2 years for personal injury claims and 6 years for written contracts.
How Indiana treats Statute of Limitations
Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4 sets a 2-year deadline for personal injury and negligence lawsuits. Written contract claims have 6 years to file under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-1, while oral contracts allow 6 years as well. The statute begins when the cause of action arises, though Indiana recognizes a discovery rule exception in medical malpractice cases if the injury was not reasonably discoverable at the time of the negligent act.
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 Indiana.