Statute of Limitations in New Hampshire
State-specific overview · Contract Law
New Hampshire allows three years for most personal injury claims, but only three years from discovery for medical malpractice.
How New Hampshire treats Statute of Limitations
New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated § 508:4 establishes a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions. Medical malpractice claims must be filed within three years of discovery of the injury, with no separate cap. Contract actions have a six-year deadline under RSA § 508:4. Assault and battery claims follow the three-year rule. Claims against the state require notice within one year and have additional procedural requirements.
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 New Hampshire.