Statute of Limitations in Kentucky
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Kentucky uses a five-year deadline for most civil actions, one of the longer standard periods in the nation.
How Kentucky treats Statute of Limitations
Kentucky's general statute of limitations is five years for most civil claims, including personal injury and contract breaches under K.R.S. § 413.090. Medical malpractice claims follow a one-year deadline from discovery of the injury, though not exceeding three years from the negligent act itself. Real property actions have longer periods, sometimes extending to fifteen years for adverse possession claims.
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 Kentucky.