List of Statute of Limitations Time Limits In Florida

The statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing civil or criminal cases in Florida. It varies based on the type of case, as detailed below.

Civil Statute of Limitations

• Personal Injury (e.g., Car Accidents): 4 years
• Medical Malpractice: 2 years (from discovery), max 4 years
• Attorney Malpractice: 2 years (from discovery), max 4 years
• Written Contracts: 5 years
• Oral Contracts: 4 years
• Debt Collection (e.g., Credit Card Lawsuits):
  • 5 years (written debt)
  • 4 years (oral debt)
• Property Damage: 4 years
• Wrongful Death: 2 years
• Fraud: 4 years (from discovery)
• Defamation (Libel/Slander): 2 years
• Judgment Collection: 20 years
• Real Estate Disputes: 4 years
• Product Liability: 4 years
• Workers’ Compensation:
  • 2 years (from injury or last benefits)
• Tax Liens: 20 years
• Construction Defects:
  • 4 years (from discovery)
  • 10 years (latent defects)
• Environmental Claims: 5 years
• Employment or Housing Discrimination: 1 year
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty: 4 years
• Professional Malpractice: 2 years (from discovery), max 4 years
• Insurance Claims (e.g., Homeowners, Auto): 5 years
• Breach of Lease Agreements:
  • 5 years (written leases)
  • 4 years (oral leases)

Criminal Statute of Limitations

• Human Trafficking: No limit
• Capital Felonies: No limit
• Life Felonies: No limit
• First-Degree Felonies: 4 years
• Other Felonies: 3 years
• First-Degree Misdemeanors: 2 years
• Second-Degree Misdemeanors: 1 year
• Sexual Battery (Minor Victim): No limit
• Sexual Battery (Adult Victim): 8 years (or no limit if DNA evidence exists)
• Theft: 5 years
• Arson: No limit
• Fraudulent Activity Involving Government Funds: 5 years
• Embezzlement: 3 years
• DUI Charges:
  • Misdemeanor: 1–2 years
  • Felony: 3–4 years
• Drug Possession:
  • Felony: 3 years
  • Misdemeanor: 1 year
• Kidnapping: No limit