Oregon Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Calculator
Use this calculator to find your exact filing deadline for a personal injury claim in Oregon. Enter your incident date and circumstances below for an instant result, including any tolling extensions that may apply to your situation.
Covers car accidents, slip and fall, dog bites, premises liability, and other general negligence claims. For medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, or other claim types — use the case type selector below.
Unfamiliar with any terms? Glossary of Terms
3. Incident Details
4. Special Circumstances
Oregon's personal injury statute of limitations is governed by the state's civil procedure and limitations statutes. Claims against state agencies, municipalities, or other government entities in Oregon may require filing a formal notice of claim before suit can be commenced — notice deadlines vary by entity type and are often shorter than the civil filing deadline. Under state law, the limitations period is tolled for minor claimants until they reach the age of majority at 18.
Looking for debt-specific deadlines? Our Debt Statute of Limitations Calculator covers written contracts, oral agreements, credit cards, and promissory notes with revival warnings by state.
Oregon's personal injury statute of limitations of 2 years matches 24 other states; the national median is also 2 years.
📊 Oregon Personal Injury Deadline vs Neighbors & National Median
About This Calculator
This calculator finds your exact filing deadline for a personal injury claim in Oregon. It applies Oregon's specific statute of limitations period, checks whether the discovery rule extends your deadline, accounts for tolling if the injured party was a minor, and flags any special notice requirements if your claim involves a government entity. Enter your incident date — or discovery date if the harm wasn't immediately apparent — and the calculator counts forward using Oregon's exact rule to show your filing deadline, the time remaining, and an urgency status. Results are based on verified state statute citations, not general estimates.
What is a Personal Injury Claim?
Statute of Limitations Deadline Calculation Formula
Here is how the calculation methodology works using representative illustrative figures (hypothetical example only — see Oregon's actual deadlines in the sections above):
- Incident Date: June 1, 2024
- Statutory Period: 2 years (730 days)
- Discovery Date (if delayed discovery applies): September 1, 2024
- Standard Filing Deadline: June 1, 2026 (2 years from incident)
- Discovery-Extended Deadline: September 1, 2026 (2 years from discovery)
How Oregon's Personal Injury Deadline Works
Under Oregon Rev. Stat. § 73, Oregon provides 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The clock typically begins when the injury was discovered — or when it reasonably should have been discovered — rather than on the date the harm occurred. This is known as the discovery rule. Oregon extends the filing window by up to 1 additional year under the discovery rule.
Oregon's personal injury statute of limitations is governed by the state's civil procedure and limitations statutes. Claims against state agencies, municipalities, or other government entities in Oregon may require filing a formal notice of claim before suit can be commenced — notice deadlines vary by entity type and are often shorter than the civil filing deadline. Under state law, the limitations period is tolled for minor claimants until they reach the age of majority at 18.
Special Circumstances
Government entity claims: If the defendant is a government entity, Oregon requires a formal administrative claim notice to be filed within 6 months of the incident before a lawsuit may be filed. Missing this notice deadline permanently bars the claim. After the claim is rejected, you have 12 months to file suit.
Minor claimants: If the injured person was a minor at the time of the incident, Oregon tolls the statute of limitations until they reach age 18.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
If a lawsuit is filed after the statute of limitations expires, the defendant can ask the court to dismiss the case as time-barred — and courts almost always grant this motion, regardless of how strong the underlying claim is. The right to sue is lost permanently; there is no general exception for not knowing the deadline existed. A small number of circumstances can pause or extend the clock, covered in the Special Circumstances section above if they apply to your claim type and state. If your deadline is approaching or may have already passed, contact a licensed attorney immediately — some exceptions are themselves time-sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does minor tolling affect personal injury deadlines in Oregon?
Oregon law tolls the personal injury statute of limitations for individuals under 18, pausing the countdown until their 18th birthday. However, the law limits this tolling by placing a strict five-year cap on the extension, regardless of the child's age. Once they turn 18 or the five-year cap is reached, the standard filing window commences.
Is medical malpractice governed by Oregon's personal injury deadline?
Medical malpractice claims in Oregon are governed by a distinct statute of limitations. Furthermore, they are subject to a strict five-year statute of repose, which acts as an absolute cutoff regardless of when the injury was discovered. Victims of clinical negligence must adhere to these specialized healthcare timelines.
What is the time limit for wrongful death claims in Oregon?
If an injury proves fatal, the case converts to a wrongful death action under Oregon law. The deadline for this claim generally begins on the date of the injury that caused the death, which is a unique and critical distinction from states that start the clock on the date of death. A personal representative must be appointed to file the lawsuit.
How does Oregon apply the discovery rule to personal injuries?
Oregon recognizes the discovery rule, which pauses the statute of limitations until the plaintiff discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, the injury and the identity of the tortfeasor. This is particularly relevant for latent injuries or defective products. However, strict statutes of repose may eventually override the discovery rule and bar the claim entirely.
Are there special requirements to sue an Oregon government entity?
Yes, the Oregon Tort Claims Act requires plaintiffs to provide formal written notice before suing any public body. Notice must be given within 180 days of the injury, or within one year if the claim is for wrongful death. Missing this strict administrative notice deadline will permanently bar the civil lawsuit.
Other Oregon Civil Statutes
Explore filing limits and calculator tools for other civil claims in the state of Oregon:
This tool is for informational and educational reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes of limitations vary by jurisdiction and can be affected by tolling, government claim notice requirements, and other exceptions. Always consult a licensed attorney before making legal decisions.