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Pennsylvania Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Calculator

Pennsylvania gives most claims two years — and genuinely uses that same rule for medical malpractice, unlike nearly every other state. Enter your date below to see your actual deadline.

42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · Reviewed 2026 · How we calculate

When is your filing deadline?

Enter the date of the injury. We'll show the actual Pennsylvania deadline, in plain terms.

Deadline to file suit (2 years)
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Also partly at fault? Check how that changes things →
Why: 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 sets a general two-year deadline covering negligence, property damage, and intentional torts alike — and, distinctively, medical malpractice too.
Injured in Pennsylvania?

A local personal injury attorney can review your claim — many offer a free consultation.

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The general rule: two years, covering almost everything

Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years — and the same statute explicitly covers intentional torts under subsection (1) alongside ordinary negligence claims under subsection (2).

Medical malpractice: genuinely no separate rule

Unlike nearly every other state, Pennsylvania doesn't carve out a distinct, separate statute of limitations for medical malpractice. The same general two-year personal injury rule applies — a genuinely distinctive simplicity compared to states that single out malpractice for its own shorter or differently structured deadline.

Sexual abuse: a genuinely tiered structure

Pennsylvania's rules for civil sexual abuse claims vary significantly by the survivor's age at the time of the abuse. See our full guide to Pennsylvania's discovery rule and tolling for this genuinely distinctive, age-tiered framework.

Government claims: a 6-month notice

Claims against a government entity come with a notably shorter notice requirement. See our full guide to Pennsylvania government claim deadlines.

Pennsylvania statute of limitations — frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

Two years from the date of injury, under 42 Pa.C.S. section 5524(2), covering negligence, property damage, and intentional torts alike.

Is medical malpractice treated differently in Pennsylvania?

No, and this is genuinely distinctive. Unlike most states, Pennsylvania doesn't have a separate medical malpractice statute of limitations — the same general two-year rule applies.

Is Pennsylvania's wrongful death deadline also two years?

Yes, measured from the date of death rather than an earlier injury.

Does Pennsylvania give injured minors the full two years after turning 18?

Yes. The period of minority generally isn't counted toward the limitations period, so an unemancipated minor typically gets the full two years after their 18th birthday.

What happens if I miss Pennsylvania's filing deadline?

The court will almost always dismiss the case, and the right to seek compensation is lost permanently, regardless of how strong the underlying claim was.

Pennsylvania personal injury tools & guides

Discovery Rule & TollingThe age-tiered sexual abuse framework Government Claim DeadlinesThe 6-month notice prerequisite What Happens If You Miss the DeadlinePennsylvania's dismissal rule, and rare exceptions Pennsylvania Comparative Negligence CalculatorPennsylvania's 51% fault bar

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on Pennsylvania statute (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, § 5533) verified per our methodology. Deadlines can vary based on the specific facts of a claim. Confirm your actual deadline with a licensed Pennsylvania attorney before acting.