Statute of Limitations in Texas
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Texas imposes a two-year deadline for personal injury and medical malpractice claims, among the shortest in the nation.
How Texas treats Statute of Limitations
Personal injury lawsuits, including medical malpractice, must be filed within two years of the injury date under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003. Contract breaches have a four-year window under § 16.004. Texas also enforces a statute of repose that bars claims arising more than ten years after the act or omission, regardless of when injury is discovered. The discovery rule may extend the two-year period only in limited circumstances.
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 Texas.