"Statutes of limitations" are laws that set time limits on how long you have to file a "civil" lawsuit, like a personal injury lawsuit, or how long the state has to prosecute someone for committing a crime. These time limits usually depend on the legal claim or crime involved in the case, and they're different from state to state. For example, in some states you may have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after you were hurt in car accident, but in other states you may have two years. As a general rule:
- The time period begins to run on the date your claim arises or "accrues," like the day of the car accident, or when a crime is committed, and
- Once the statute of limitations has expired or "run," you can't file a lawsuit (or be prosecuted for a crime)
Below are the statutes of limitations in Kentucky for various civil claims and crimes. The list doesn't cover everything. Also, the laws may change at anytime, so be sure to check the current laws and read them carefully, or talk to an attorney if you have any questions.
Civil
Note: Most of the civil statutes of limitations are in Chapter 413 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes or "code." You can scroll through the laws there to find the statute of limitations for civil claims or "causes of action" not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Assault and Battery, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(e) |
Contract (in writing), 15 years |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.090 |
Contract (oral or not in writing), 5 years |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 430.120(1) |
False Imprisonment, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(e) |
Fraud, 5 years |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 430.120(12) |
Enforcing Court Judgments, 15 years |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.090 |
Legal Malpractice, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(f) |
Libel, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(d) |
Medical Malpractice, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(a) |
Personal Injury, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(e) |
Product Liability, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(e) |
Property Damage, 2 years |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.125 |
Slander, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(d) |
Trespass, 5 years |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 430.120(4) |
Wrongful Death, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(e) and Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413-180(1) |
Criminal
Note: Generally, the Kentucky criminal statutes of limitations are in Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050. You can scroll through the criminal laws (found in Title L) to find crimes not listed below, and then use § 500.050 to determine which statute of limitations applies to a crime not listed below.
Description |
Statute
|
Arson, No time limit |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) |
Assault, No time limit or 1 year (Depending on the facts of the case) |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) or (2) |
Burglary, No time limit |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) |
Disorderly Conduct, 1 year |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(2) |
Kidnapping, No time limit |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) |
Manslaughter, first degree, No time limit |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) |
Manslaughter, second degree, No time limit |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) |
Murder, No time limit |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) |
Rape, No time limit |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) |
Receiving Stolen Property, No time limit or 1 year (Depending on the value of the property) |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) or (2) |
Robbery, No time limit |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) |
Theft, No time limit or 1 year (Depending on the value of the property) |
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 500.050(1) or (2) |