Calculate accurate filing deadlines for various causes of action in New Hampshire. This tool provides statute citations, legal notes, and important deadline information for your case.
Statute may be tolled until age of majority
Statute may be tolled due to disability
Found missing, incorrect, or outdated information? Please let us know so we can improve our database for everyone.
Firm Timer helps you track every minute of your workday, ensuring you never miss a billable hour again. Our intuitive time tracking software is designed for law firms, making it easy to capture time on the go.
June 16, 2028
New Hampshire’s catch-all limitations period is 3 years for personal actions (including personal injury). By statute, the discovery rule applies to *all* personal actions: the time is computed from when the plaintiff knows or should know of the injury and that the defendant may have caused it. Tolling: The statute is tolled during a plaintiff’s infancy or insanity (but not beyond age 20 for minors, since age of majority is 18 and NH provides a 2-year grace after majority).
Last reviewed 6/9/2025
Firm Timer helps you track every minute of your workday, ensuring you never miss a billable hour again. Our intuitive time tracking software is designed for law firms, making it easy to capture time on the go.
Cause of Action | Statute of Limitations | Discovery Rule | Statute of Repose | Legal Citation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Personal Injury | 3 years | Yes | — | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4(I) |
Wrongful Death | 3 years | Yes | — | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4(I) |
Property Damage | 3 years | Yes | — | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4(I) |
Written Contract | 20 years | No | — | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:5 |
Oral Contract | 3 years | No | — | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4(I) |
Defamation | 3 years | No | — | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4(I) |
Medical Malpractice | 3 years | Yes | — | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4(I) |
Consumer Debt | 3 years | No | — | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4(I) |
Common questions about New Hampshire statutes of limitations
The shortest deadline in New Hampshire is 3 years for personal injury claims, while the longest is 20 years for written contract disputes. Missing these cut-offs—even by a day—can permanently bar recovery.
A statute of limitations sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. In New Hampshire, these time limits vary by the type of claim or offense.
Missing a filing deadline can permanently bar your claim, regardless of its merit. This calculator helps you determine the deadline for your specific case, but always consult with a qualified attorney for legal advice.
For more information about New Hampshire law, visit the official New Hampshire courts or legislature website.