## How the limitation period applies

The controlling primary authority for US-PA libel SOL (42 Pa. C.S. § 5523(1)) is **42 Pa. C.S. § 5523(1)**.

> **42 Pa. C.S. § 5523(1).** Section 5523.0 - Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE 42c5523s § 5523. One year limitation. The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within one year: (1) An action for libel, slander or invasion of privacy. (2) An action upon a bond given as security by a party in any matter, except a bond given by a condemnor in an eminent domain proceeding. (3) An action upon any payment or performance bond. 42c5523v (Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days) 1982 Amendment. Section 403 of Act 326 provided that the amendments to Chapter 55

## 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

- [42 Pa. C.S. § 5523(1) — 42 Pa. C.S. § 5523(1)](https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.055.023.000..HTM)

All sources are official primary law published by `www.legis.state.pa.us`.

**Corroboration method:** government_primary_source_direct_fetch.


Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in Pennsylvania.

Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in Pennsylvania

PA SOL verified against Title 42 primary sources at legis.state.pa.us on 2026-04-24 (ANO-831 sweep). Per-claim deepening pass 2026-04-27 confirmed 14/15 claim_types via verbatim primary text; ucc_sale_of_goods retained at verified-secondary (PA Title 13 portal returned Error VS-8 and no Wayback snapshot exists).

(3) An action upon an express contract not founded upon an instrument in writing.

§ 5525. Four year limitation. (a) General rule.—Except as provided for in subsection (b), the following actions and proceedings must be commenced within four years: ... (8) An action upon a contract, obligation or liability founded upon a writing not specified in paragraph (7), under seal or otherwise, except an action subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter.

(7) Any other action or proceeding to recover damages for injury to person or property which is founded on negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct or any other action or proceeding sounding in trespass, including deceit or fraud, except an action or proceeding subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter.

§ 5522. Six months limitation. (a) Notice of intention to commence action required.—(1) Within six months from the date that any injury was sustained or any cause of action accrued, any person who is about to commence any civil action or proceeding within this Commonwealth or elsewhere against a government unit for damages on account of any injury to his person or property under Chapter 85 (relating to matters affecting government units) or otherwise shall file in the office of the government unit, and if the action is against a Commonwealth agency for damages, then also file in the office of the Attorney General, a statement in writing, signed by or in his behalf, setting forth: (i) The name and residence address of the person to whom the cause of action has accrued. (ii) The name and residence address of the person injured. (iii) The date and hour of the accident. (iv) The approximate location where the accident occurred. (v) The name and residence or office address of any attending physician.

§ 5523. One year limitation. The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within one year: (1) An action for libel, slander or invasion of privacy. (2) An action upon a bond given as security by a party in any matter, except a bond given by a condemnor in an eminent domain proceeding. (3) An action upon any payment or performance bond.

(2) An action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another. ... (7) Any other action or proceeding to recover damages for injury to person or property which is founded on negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct ...

(2) An action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.

(3) An action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery thereof.

(1) An action for libel, slander or invasion of privacy.

(4) An action for waste or trespass of real property.

(c) Concealment.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to toll any statute of limitation in any action or proceeding when the person obligated is concealed from the person entitled to commence the matter by fraud or concealment.

§ 5533. (a) General rule.—Except as otherwise provided by statute, insanity or imprisonment does not extend the time limited by this subchapter for the commencement of a matter. (b) Infancy.—(1) If an individual entitled to bring a civil action is an unemancipated minor at the time the cause of action accrues, the period of minority shall not be deemed a portion of the time period within which the action must be commenced. (2) If an individual entitled to bring a civil action arising from childhood sexual abuse is under 18 years of age at the time the cause of action accrues, the individual shall have a period of 37 years after attaining 18 years of age in which to commence an action for damages.

14 of 15 claim_types fully populated with citation + source_url + verbatim raw_statute_text (verified against legis.state.pa.us / palegis.us / palrb.us primary sources from earlier passes). 1 of 15 (ucc_sale_of_goods) retains 'verified-secondary' confidence with raw_statute_text=null because PA's primary-source portals (palegis.us, legis.state.pa.us) return Error VS-8 for 13 Pa.C.S. § 2725 and the Wayback Machine returned no archived snapshot (archive.org availability API: archived_snapshots={}). One Wayback retry exhausted per anti-fabrication protocol; 4-yr period retained because (a) it is the uniform UCC § 2-725 rule, and (b) 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(2) cross-references the UCC and was retrievable as a backstop. Did NOT pull verbatim text from FindLaw/Justia/aggregators per trust-badge rules.

§ 5525. Four year limitation. (a) General rule.-- Except as provided for in subsection (b), the following actions and proceedings must be commenced within four years: (1) An action upon a contract, under seal or otherwise, for the sale, construction or furnishing of tangible personal property or fixtures. (2) Any action subject to 13 Pa.C.S. § 2725 (relating to statute of limitations in contracts for sale). (3) An action upon an express contract not founded upon an instrument in writing.

(b) Other civil action or proceeding.--Any civil action or proceeding which is neither subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter nor excluded from the application of a period of limitation by section 5531 (relating to no limitation) must be commenced within six years.

§ 5525. Four year limitation. The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within four years: (8) An action upon a contract, obligation or liability founded upon a writing not specified in paragraph (7), under seal or otherwise, except an action subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter.

§ 5527.  Six year limitation. (a)  Eminent domain.-- (1)  (i)  If a condemnor has filed a declaration of taking, a petition for the appointment of viewers for the assessment of damages under 26 Pa.C.S. (relating to eminent domain) must be filed within six years from the date on which the condemnor first made payment in accordance with 26 Pa.C.S. § 307(a) or (b) (relating to possession, right of entry and payment of compensation). (ii)  If payment is not required to be made under 26 Pa.C.S. § 307(a) to obtain possession, a petition for the appointment of viewers must be filed within six years of the filing of the declaration of taking. (2)  If the condemnor has not filed a declaration of taking, a petition for the appointment of viewers for the assessment of damages under 26 Pa.C.S. must be filed within six years from the date on which the asserted taking, injury or destruction of the property occurred or could reasonably have been discovered by the condemnee. (b)  Other civil action or proceeding.-- Any civil action or proceeding which is neither subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter nor excluded from the application of a period of limitation by section 5531 (relating to no limitation) must be commenced within six years.

The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within one year: (1) An action for libel, slander or invasion of privacy.

§ 5524. Two year limitation.

The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within two years:

(1) An action for assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution or malicious abuse of process.

(2) An action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.

(3) An action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery thereof.

(4) An action for waste or trespass of real property.

(5) An action upon a statute for a civil penalty or forfeiture.

(6) An action against any officer of any government unit for the nonpayment of money or the nondelivery of property collected upon on execution or otherwise in his possession.

(7) Any other action or proceeding to recover damages for injury to person or property which is founded on negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct or any other action or proceeding sounding in trespass, including deceit or fraud, except an action or proceeding subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter.

(8) An action to recover damages for injury to a person or for the death of a person caused by exposure to asbestos shall be commenced within two years from the date on which the person is informed by a licensed physician that the person has been injured by such exposure or upon the date on which the person knew or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have known that the person had an injury which was caused by such exposure, whichever date occurs first.

(Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days; Dec. 17, 2001, P.L.904, No.101, eff. 60 days; Nov. 24, 2004, P.L.1243, No.152, eff. imd.)

§ 5524. Two year limitation. The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within two years: (1) An action for assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution or malicious abuse of process. (2) An action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another. (3) An action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery thereof. (4) An action for waste or trespass of real property. (5) An action upon a statute for a civil penalty or forfeiture. (6) An action against any officer of any government unit for the nonpayment of money or the nondelivery of property collected upon on execution or otherwise in his possession. (7) Any other action or proceeding to recover damages for injury to person or property which is founded on negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct or any other action or proceeding sounding in trespass, including deceit or fraud, except an action or proceeding subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter. (8) An action to recover damages for injury to a person or for the death of a person caused by exposure to asbestos shall be commenced within two years from the date on which the person is informed by a licensed physician that the person has been injured by such exposure or upon the date on which the person knew or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have known that the person had an injury which was caused by such exposure, whichever date occurs first.

Two year limitation. The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within two years: (1) An action for assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution or malicious abuse of process. (2) An action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another. (3) An action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery thereof. (4) An action for waste or trespass of real property. (5) An action upon a statute for a civil penalty or forfeiture. (6) An action against any officer of any government unit for the nonpayment of money or the nondelivery of property collected upon on execution or otherwise in his possession. (7) Any other action or proceeding to recover damages for injury to person or property which is founded on negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct or any other action or proceeding sounding in trespass, including deceit or fraud, except an action or proceeding subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter.

Any other action or proceeding to recover damages for injury to person or property which is founded on negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct or any other action or proceeding sounding in trespass, including deceit or fraud, except an action or proceeding subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter.

Within six months from the date that any injury was sustained or any cause of action accrued, any person who is about to commence any civil action or proceeding within this Commonwealth or elsewhere against a government unit for damages on account of any injury to his person or property under Chapter 85 (relating to matters affecting government units) or otherwise shall file in the office of the government unit

Section 5524.0 - Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE 42c5524s § 5524. Two year limitation. The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within two years: (1) An action for assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution or malicious abuse of process. (2) An action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another. (3) An action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery thereof.

§ 5525. Four year limitation. (a) General rule.-- Except as provided for in subsection (b), the following actions and proceedings must be commenced within four years: (4) An action upon a contract implied in law, except an action subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter.

The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within four years: (4) An action upon a contract not under seal.

No administrative proceedings or legal action shall be instituted under the provisions of this act for the collection of unpaid wages or liquidated damages more than three years after the day on which such wages were due and payable as provided in sections 3 and 5.

no administrative proceedings or legal action shall be instituted under the provisions of this act for the collection of unpaid wages or liquidated damages more than three years after the day on which such wages were due and payable as provided in sections 3 and 5.

§ 5524. Two year limitation. The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within two years: (1) An action for assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution or malicious abuse of process. (2) An action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another. (3) An action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery thereof. (4) An action for waste or trespass of real property. (5) An action upon a statute for a civil penalty or forfeiture. (6) An action against any officer of any government unit for the nonpayment of money or the nondelivery of property collected upon on execution or otherwise in his possession. (7) Any other action or proceeding to recover damages for injury to person or property which is founded on negligent, intentional, or otherwise tortious conduct or any other action or proceeding sounding in trespass, including deceit or fraud, except an action or proceeding subject to another limitation specified in this subchapter. (8) An action to recover damages for injury to a person or for the death of a person caused by exposure to asbestos shall be commenced within two years from the date on which the person is informed by a licensed physician that the person has been injured by such exposure or upon the date on which the person knew or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have known that he had been injured by the exposure, whichever date occurs first.

Pennsylvania imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal-injury actions. Per 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524(2), 'An action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another' must be commenced within two years. The same two-year period also covers assault/battery/false imprisonment/false arrest/malicious prosecution (§ 5524(1)), residual tort and trespass claims (§ 5524(7)), and asbesto

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524(2), an action to recover damages for injuries to the person or for the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another must be commenced within two years. Paragraph (7) is the negligence/tort catch-all, also two years. Asbestos-related PI has a codified discovery rule under paragraph (8).

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525(a)(8), an action upon a contract, obligation or liability founded upon a writing must be commenced within four years. Covers written contracts, promissory notes, account-stated, and other written-instrument debts in Pennsylvania.

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5523(1), an action for libel, slander, or invasion of privacy must be commenced within one year.

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5527(b), any civil action or proceeding not otherwise specified must be commenced within 6 years. Pennsylvania courts apply this residual 6-year SOL to unjust enrichment / restitution claims per Sevast v. Kakouras, 915 A.2d 1147 (Pa. 2007).

Under 43 Pa. Stat. § 260.9a(g) (Wage Payment & Collection Law § 9.1(g)), no administrative proceeding or legal action under the WPCL may be instituted for collection of unpaid wages or liquidated damages more than 3 years after the day wages were due and payable.

Pennsylvania medical malpractice claims are governed by a two-year statute of limitations under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2), which covers actions 'to recover damages for injuries to the person ... caused by the wrongful act or neglect ... or negligence of another' (with § 5524(7) functioning as a residual tort catch-all for negligence-based claims not otherwise specified). Accrual is determined under Pennsylvania's discovery rule (not certified verbatim in this receipt). A seven-year outer statute of r

In Pennsylvania, an action sounding in unjust enrichment / restitution is treated as an action upon a contract implied in law and is governed by the four-year limitations period at 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(4). The PA Supreme Court in Sevast v. Kakouras (2007) expressly applied this provision; the federal Middle District of Pennsylvania in Paradigm SRP (2024) confirmed that an unjust-enrichment claim is a type of breach-of-contract claim subject to the same four-year SOL. This corrects the prior cano

Statute of limitations for personal injury in US-PA is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524(2).

Statute of limitations for libel in US-PA is 1 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5523(1).

Statute of limitations for unjust enrichment in US-PA is 4 years under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5525(a)(4).

Statute of limitations for breach of fiduciary duty in US-PA is 6 years under 42 Pa.C.S. 5527(b).

Statute of limitations for wage and hour overtime state in US-PA is 3 years under 43 Pa. Stat. § 260.9a(g).

Statute of limitations for wrongful death in US-PA is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Statute of limitations for product liability in US-PA is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Statute of limitations for premises liability in US-PA is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Statute of limitations for breach oral contract in US-PA is 4 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525.

Statute of limitations for ucc sale of goods in US-PA is 4 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525.

Statute of limitations for slander in US-PA is 1 year under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5523.

Statute of limitations for property damage in US-PA is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Statute of limitations for trespass in US-PA is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Statute of limitations for government tort claim in US-PA is 6 months under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5522.

Statute of limitations for breach written contract in US-PA is 4 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525(a)(8).

Statute of limitations for legal malpractice in US-PA is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Statute of limitations for fraud in US-PA is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524.

Section 1983 borrows the forum state's general personal-injury SOL. Pennsylvania's general personal-injury limitations period is 2 years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524(2), so a Pennsylvania Section 1983 claim must be filed within 2 years of accrual.

In Pennsylvania, an action on an account stated or open account is an action on a contract not founded on a written instrument and must be commenced within four years under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525(a).

Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524(3), an action for taking, detaining or injuring personal property, including actions for specific recovery thereof (trespass to chattels and conversion), must be commenced within two years.

A claimant intending to sue a Pennsylvania government unit for damages must file written notice with that government unit within 6 months of the injury or accrual of the cause of action.

§ 5533. Infancy, insanity or imprisonment. (a) General rule.—Except as otherwise provided by statute, insanity or imprisonment does not extend the time limited by this subchapter for the commencement of a matter. (b) Infancy.—(1) If an individual entitled to bring a civil action is an unemancipated minor at the time the cause of action accrues, the period of minority shall not be deemed a portion of the time period within which the action must be commenced. Such person shall have the same time for commencing an action after attaining majority as is allowed to others by the provisions of this subchapter. (2) If an individual entitled to bring a civil action arising from childhood sexual abuse is under 18 years of age at the time the cause of action accrues, the individual shall have a period of 37 years after attaining 18 years of age in which to commence an action for damages.

§ 5532. Absence or concealment. (a) General rule.—If, when a cause of action accrues against a person, he is outside this Commonwealth, the time which elapses during the period of his absence is not part of the time within which the action or proceeding must be commenced. (b) Departure after accrual of cause of action.—If, after a cause of action has accrued against a person, he departs from this Commonwealth and remains continuously absent therefrom for four months or more, or resides within this Commonwealth under a false name which is unknown to the person entitled to commence the matter, the time of his absence or of such residence within this Commonwealth under such a false name is not part of the time within which the action or proceeding must be commenced. (c) Concealment.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to toll any statute of limitation in any action or proceeding when the person obligated is concealed from the person entitled to commence the matter by fraud or concealment.