## How the limitation period applies

The controlling primary authority for libel-written-defamation is **D.C. Code § 12-301(4)**.

> **D.C. Code § 12-301(4).** for libel, slander, assault, battery, mayhem, wounding, malicious prosecution, false arrest or false imprisonment— 1 year;

## Use the calculator

DocketMath's statute-of-limitations tool can model these timelines once you identify the controlling claim type and accrual date. Use the source panel for the verified primary-source citations.

[Open the Statute of Limitations calculator](/tools/statute-of-limitations)

## Sources

- [D.C. Code § 12-301(4) — undefined](https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/12-301)

All sources are official primary law published by `code.dccouncil.gov`.

**Corroboration method:** government_primary_source_direct_fetch.


Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in District of Columbia.

Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in District of Columbia

(7) on a simple contract, express or implied— 3 years;

(8) for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed— 3 years;

(4) for libel, slander, assault, battery, mayhem, wounding, malicious prosecution, false arrest or false imprisonment— 1 year;

(3) for the recovery of damages for an injury to real or personal property— 3 years;

An action for breach of any contract for sale must be commenced within four years after the cause of action has accrued. By the original agreement the parties may reduce the period of limitation to not less than one year but may not extend it.

An action pursuant to this chapter shall be brought by and in the name of the personal representative of the deceased person, and within 2 years after the death of the person injured.

An action for breach of any contract for sale must be commenced within four years after the cause of action has accrued.

on a simple contract, express or implied— 3 years

(a) if the cause of action accrues on or after May 14, 1947-may be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, and every such action shall be forever barred unless commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, except that a cause of action arising out of a willful violation may be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrued;

§ 12-301. Limitation of time for bringing actions.

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, actions for the following purposes may not be brought after the expiration of the period specified below from the time the right to maintain the action accrues:

(1) for the recovery of lands, tenements, or hereditaments— 15 years;

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, actions for the following purposes may not be brought after the expiration of the period specified below from the time the right to maintain the action accrues: for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed— 3 years

within 2 years after the unlawful discriminatory act, or the discovery thereof.

if the cause of action accrues on or after May 14, 1947—may be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, and every such action shall be forever barred unless commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, except that a cause of action arising out of a willful violation may be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrued

(1) An action for breach of any contract for sale must be commenced within four years after the cause of action has accrued.

for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed— 3 years

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, actions for the following purposes may not be brought after the expiration of the period specified below from the time the right to maintain the action accrues: (1) for the recovery of lands, tenements, or hereditaments— 15 years; (2) for the recovery of personal property or damages for its unlawful detention— 3 years; (3) for the recovery of damages for an injury to real or personal property— 3 years; (4) for libel, slander, assault, battery, mayhem, wounding, malicious prosecution, false arrest or false imprisonment— 1 year; (5) for a statutory penalty or forfeiture— 1 year; (6) on an executor's or administrator's bond— 5 years; on any other bond or single bill, covenant, or other instrument under seal— 12 years; (7) on a simple contract, express or implied— 3 years; (8) for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed— 3 years; (9) for a violation of § 7-1201.01(11)— 1 year; (10) for the recovery of damages for an injury to real property from toxic substances including products containing asbestos— 5 years from the date the injury is discovered or with reasonable diligence should have been discovered; (11) for the recovery of damages arising out of sexual abuse that occurred while the victim was less than 35 years of age— the date the victim attains the age of 40 years, or 5 years from when the victim knew, or reasonably should have known, of any act constituting sexual abuse, whichever is later.

Under D.C. Code § 12-301(8), actions 'for which a limitation is not otherwise specially prescribed' must be brought within three years. D.C. has no PI-specific SOL — the catch-all 3-year limit controls general personal injury, negligence, premises liability, product liability, slip-and-fall, and dog bite in the District.

Under 29 U.S.C. § 255(a), an action enforcing an FLSA cause of action for unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime compensation, or liquidated damages generally must be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued; a cause of action arising out of a willful violation may be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrued.

Statute of limitations for wrongful death in US-DC is 2 years under D.C. Code § 16-2702.

Statute of limitations for medical malpractice in US-DC is 3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8).

Statute of limitations for legal malpractice in US-DC is 3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8).

Statute of limitations for premises liability in US-DC is 3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8).

Statute of limitations for ucc sale of goods in US-DC is 4 years under D.C. Code § 28:2-725(1).

Statute of limitations for fraud in US-DC is 3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301(a)(8).

D.C. Code § 12-301(7) establishes a 3-year statute of limitations for actions on simple contracts, express or implied, which covers debt on a promissory note in the District of Columbia.

D.C. Code § 12-301(8) provides a 3-year SOL for actions not otherwise specially prescribed; under the continuing violation doctrine, the period runs from the last discriminatory or tortious act in a continuing series.

D.C. Code § 12-301(8) establishes a 3-year catch-all statute of limitations for civil actions that are not otherwise specially prescribed. Common law wrongful termination claims in the District of Columbia, which do not have a specific statutory limitations period, fall under this 3-year catch-all. The clock begins on the date of the wrongful termination.

D.C. Code § 28:2-725 (UCC § 2-725) provides a 4-year SOL for breach of warranty on sale of goods in the District of Columbia.