## How the limitation period applies

The controlling primary authority for US-VA libel written defamation SOL (Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1) is **Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1**.

> **Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1.** Every action for injury resulting from libel, slander, insulting words, or defamation shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues.

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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.

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## Sources

- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1 — Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-247.1/)

All sources are official primary law published by `law.lis.virginia.gov`.

**Corroboration method:** government_primary_source_direct_fetch.


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

Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in Virginia

ANO-831 deepening (2026-04-27): fetched all six primary VA LIS section pages; harvested verbatim text into per-claim raw_statute_text + verification blocks (CA reference parity). Two NEW substantive corrections this pass: (1) legal_malpractice was 2yr/§ 8.01-243(A) (general PI); under VA case law (Oleyar v. Kerr, 217 Va. 88 (1976); Cox v. Geary, 271 Va. 141 (2006)) legal-malpractice claims sound in CONTRACT, not tort — corrected to 5yr/§ 8.01-246(2) for written engagements (3yr/§ 8.01-246(4) if oral); (2) top-level raw_statute_text was missing the leading 'Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other statute,' clause from § 8.01-243(A) — re-harvested verbatim. Also added government_tort_claim claim_type entry (VTCA § 8.01-195.6, 1yr notice). tolling_rules_provenance.defendant_absence reset to false — VA only tolls for obstruction (§ 8.01-229(D)), not generic absence. Wave-13 fabrications (top-level URL, sub_rules misclassifications, MM citation, gov-notice period, defamation home) remain corrected from prior pass.

4. In actions upon (i) any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and not signed by the party to be charged, or by his agent, or (ii) any unwritten contract, express or implied, within three years.

Subject to the provisions of § 8.01-243 regarding injuries to person and property and of § 8.01-245 regarding the application of limitations to fiduciaries, and their bonds, actions founded upon a contract, other than actions on a judgment or decree, shall be brought within the following number of years next after the cause of action shall have accrued: 1. In actions or upon a recognizance, except recognizance of bail in a civil suit, within 10 years; and in actions or motions upon a recognizance of bail in a civil suit, within three years, omitting from the computation of such three years such time as the right to sue out such execution shall have been suspended by injunction, supersedeas or other process; 2. In actions on any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within five years whether such writing be under seal or not;

A. Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other statute, every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, and every action for damages resulting from fraud, shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues.

A. Every claim cognizable against the Commonwealth or a transportation district shall be forever barred unless the claimant or his agent, attorney or representative has filed a written statement of the nature of the claim, which includes the time and place at which the injury is alleged to have occurred and the agency or agencies alleged to be liable, within one year after such cause of action accrued. Failure to provide such statement shall not bar a claim against the Commonwealth or a transportation district, provided that (i) for claims against the Commonwealth, the Division of Risk Management or any insurer or entity providing coverage or indemnification of the claim or the Attorney General or (ii) for claims against a transportation district, the chairman of the commission of the transportation district, had actual knowledge of the claim, which includes the nature of the claim, the time and place at which the injury is alleged to have occurred, and the agency or agencies alleged to be liable, within one year after such cause of action accrued.

In actions on any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within five years whether such writing be under seal or not.

Every action for injury resulting from libel, slander, insulting words, or defamation shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. If a publisher of statements actionable under this section publishes anonymously or under a false identity on the Internet, an action may be filed under this section and the statute of limitations shall be tolled until the identity of the publisher is discovered or, by the exercise of due diligence, reasonably should have been discovered.

Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other statute, every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, and every action for damages resulting from fraud, shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues.

Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other statute, every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, and every action for damages resulting from fraud, shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues. B. Every action for injury to property, including actions by a parent or guardian of an infant against a tort-feasor for expenses of curing or attempting to cure such infant from the result of a personal injury or loss of services of such infant, shall be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues. An infant's claim for medical expenses pursuant to subsection B of § 8.01-36 accruing on or after July 1, 2013, shall be governed by the applicable statute of limitations that applies to the infant's cause of action.

B. Every action for injury to property, including actions by a parent or guardian of an infant against a tort-feasor for expenses of curing or attempting to cure such infant from the result of a personal injury or loss of services of such infant, shall be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues. An infant's claim for medical expenses pursuant to subsection B of § 8.01-36 accruing on or after July 1, 2013, shall be governed by the applicable statute of limitations that applies to the infant's cause of action.

(1) 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. (2) A cause of action accrues when the breach occurs, regardless of the aggrieved party's lack of knowledge of the breach. A breach of warranty occurs when tender of delivery is made, except that where a warranty explicitly extends to future performance of the goods and discovery of the breach must await the time of such performance the cause of action accrues when the breach is or should have been discovered.

Every action under § 8.01-50 shall be brought by the personal representative of the decedent within two years after the death of the injured person.

within one year after such cause of action accrued

A. Disabilities which toll the statute of limitations. — Except as otherwise specifically provided in §§ 8.01-237 , 8.01-241 , 8.01-242 , 8.01-243 , 8.01-243.1 and other provisions of this Code, 1. If a person entitled to bring any action is at the time the cause of action accrues an infant, except if such infant has been emancipated pursuant to Article 15 (§ 16.1-331 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 16.1, or incapacitated, such person may bring it within the prescribed limitation period after such disability is removed; or 2. After a cause of action accrues, a. If an infant becomes entitled to bring such action, the time during which he is within the age of minority shall not be counted as any part of the period within which the action must be brought except as to any such period during which the infant has been judicially declared emancipated.

§ 8.01-246. Personal actions based on contracts. A. Subject to the provisions of § 8.01-243 regarding injuries to person and property and of § 8.01-245 regarding the application of limitations to fiduciaries, and their bonds, actions founded upon a contract, other than actions on a judgment or decree, shall be brought within the following number of years next after the cause of action shall have accrued: ... 4. In actions upon (i) any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and not signed by the party to be charged, or by his agent, or (ii) any unwritten contract, express or implied, within three years.

§ 8.01-248 . Personal actions for which no other limitation is specified. Every personal action accruing on or after July 1, 1995, for which no limitation is otherwise prescribed, shall be brought within two years after the right to bring such action has accrued.

§ 8.2-725 . Statute of limitations in contracts for sale. (1) 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. (2) A cause of action accrues when the breach occurs, regardless of the aggrieved party's lack of knowledge of the breach. A breach of warranty occurs when tender of delivery is made, except that where a warranty explicitly extends to future performance of the goods and discovery of the breach must await the time of such performance the cause of action accrues when the breach is or should have been discovered. (3) Where an action commenced within the time limited by subsection (1) is so terminated as to leave available a remedy by another action for the same breach such other action may be commenced after the expiration of the time limited and within six months after the termination of the first action unless the termination resulted from voluntary discontinuance or from dismissal for failure or neglect to prosecute. (4) This section does not alter the law on tolling of the statute of limitations nor does it apply to causes of action which have accrued before this act becomes effective.

4. In actions upon (i) any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and not signed by the party to be charged, or by his agent, or (ii) any unwritten contract, express or implied, within three years.
B. In any action, including those brought by the Commonwealth, upon any contract under subdivision A 2 or 4 to collect medical debt, such an action is barred if not commenced within three years from the due date applicable to the final invoice for a health care service unless the contract with a hospital or health care provider is for a payment plan that allows for a longer period of time for the collection of debt by the hospital or health care provider. In the event of breach of a payment plan, an action is barred if not commenced within three years from the date of breach by the debtor. For the purposes of this subsection, "medical debt" means a debt arising directly from the receipt of a health care service and originally owed directly to a health care service provider. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to medical debt arising from services paid for under programs administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services.
C. In the case of any action to which § 8.2-725 of the Uniform Commercial Code is applicable, that section shall be controlling except that in products liability actions for injury to person and for injury to property, other than the property subject to contract, the limitation prescribed in § 8.01-243 shall apply.

2. In actions on any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within five years whether such writing be under seal or not

A. Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other statute, every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, and every action for damages resulting from fraud, shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues. B. Every action for injury to property, including actions by a parent or guardian of an infant against a tort-feasor for expenses of curing or attempting to cure such infant from the result of a personal injury or loss of services of such infant, shall be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues. An infant's claim for medical expenses pursuant to subsection B of § 8.01-36 accruing on or after July 1, 2013, shall be governed by the applicable statute of limitations that applies to the infant's cause of action. C. The two-year limitations period specified in subsection A shall be extended in actions for malpractice against a health care provider as follows: 1. In cases arising out of a foreign object having no therapeutic or diagnostic effect being left in a patient's body, for a period of one year from the date the object is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered; 2. In cases in which fraud, concealment, or intentional misrepresentation prevented discovery of the injury within the two-year period, for one year from the date the injury is discovered or, by the exercise of due diligence, reasonably should have been discovered; and 3. In a claim for the negligent failure to diagnose a malignant tumor, cancer, or an intracranial, intraspinal, or spinal schwannoma, for a period of one year from the date the diagnosis of a malignant tumor, cancer, or an intracranial, intraspinal, or spinal schwannoma is communicated to the patient by a health care provider, provided that the health care provider's underlying act or omission was on or after July 1, 2008, in the case of a malignant tumor or cancer or on or after July 1, 2016, in the case of an intracranial, intraspinal, or spinal schwannoma. Claims under this section for the negligent failure to diagnose a malignant tumor or cancer, where the health care provider's underlying act or omission occurred prior to July 1, 2008, shall be governed by the statute of limitations that existed prior to July 1, 2008. Claims under this section for the negligent failure to diagnose an intracranial, intraspinal, or spinal schwannoma, where the health care provider's underlying act or omission occurred prior to July 1, 2016, shall be governed by the statute of limitations that existed prior to July 1, 2016. However, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to extend the limitations period beyond 10 years from the date the cause of action accrues, except that the provisions of subdivision A 2 of § 8.01-229 shall apply to toll the statute of limitations in actions brought by or on behalf of a person under a disability. D. Every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring during the infancy or incapacity of the person as set forth in subdivision 6 of § 8.01-249 shall be brought within 20 years after the cause of action accrues. D1. For a cause of action accruing on or after July 1, 2020, every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse, other than those actions specified in subsection D, shall be brought within 10 years after the cause of action accrues. D2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections D and D1, every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring when the person was 18 years old or older by a person of authority over a victim shall be brought within 15 years after the cause of action accrues. For the purposes of this subsection, "person of authority" means a person in a position of trust having influence over the victim's life. E. Every action for injury to property brought by the Commonwealth against a tort-feasor for expenses arising out of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle shall be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues. Code 1950, § 8-24; 1954, c. 589; 1973, c. 385; 1977, c. 617; 1986, cc. 389, 454; 1987, cc. 294, 645, 679; 2008, c. 175; 2011, cc. 617, 641; 2013, cc. 551, 689; 2014, c. 586; 2016, c. 190; 2020, c. 1125; 2023, c. 27.

§ 19.2-8 . Limitation of prosecutions. A prosecution for a misdemeanor, or any pecuniary fine, forfeiture, penalty or amercement, shall be commenced within one year next after there was cause therefor, except that a prosecution for petit larceny may be commenced within five years, and for an attempt to produce abortion, within two years after commission of the offense.

No action to recover for any injury to property, real or personal, or for bodily injury or wrongful death, arising out of the defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property, nor any action for contribution or indemnity for damages sustained as a result of such injury, shall be brought against any person performing or furnishing the design, planning, surveying, supervision of construction, or construction of such improvement to real property more than five years after the performance or furnishing of such services and construction.

A. Any individual action pursuant to § 59.1-204 for which the right to bring such action first accrues on or after July 1, 1995, shall be commenced within two years after such accrual. The cause of action shall accrue as provided in § 8.01-230 . B. When any of the authorized government agencies files suit under this chapter, the time during which such governmental suit and all appeals therefrom is pending shall not be counted as any part of the period within which an action under § 59.1-204 shall be brought.

§ 59.1-204.1 . Tolling of limitation.
A. Any individual action pursuant to § 59.1-204 for which the right to bring such action first accrues on or after July 1, 1995, shall be commenced within two years after such accrual. The cause of action shall accrue as provided in § 8.01-230 .
B. When any of the authorized government agencies files suit under this chapter, the time during which such governmental suit and all appeals therefrom is pending shall not be counted as any part of the period within which an action under § 59.1-204 shall be brought.

§ 8.01-243. Personal action for injury to person or property generally; extension in actions for malpractice against health care provider. (A) Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other statute, every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, and every action for damages resulting from fraud, shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues. (B) Every action for injury to property, including actions by a parent or guardian of an infant against a tort-feasor for expenses of curing or attempting to cure such infant from the result of a personal injury or loss of services of such infant, shall be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues. An infant's claim for medical expenses pursuant to subsection B of § 8.01-36 accruing on or after July 1, 2013, shall be governed by the applicable statute of limitations that applies to the infant's cause of action. (C) The two-year limitations period specified in subsection A shall be extended in actions for malpractice against a health care provider as follows: 1. In cases arising out of a foreign object having no therapeutic or diagnostic effect being left in a patient's body, for a period of one year from the date the object is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered; 2. In cases in which fraud, concealment, or intentional misrepresentation prevented discovery of the injury within the two-year period, for one year from the date the injury is discovered or, by the exercise of due diligence, reasonably should have been discovered; and 3. In a claim for the negligent failure to diagnose a malignant tumor, cancer, or an intracranial, intraspinal, or spinal schwannoma, for a period of one year from the date the diagnosis of a malignant tumor, cancer, or an intracranial, intraspinal, or spinal schwannoma is communicated to the patient by a health care provider, provided that the health care provider's underlying act or omission was on or after July 1, 2008, in the case of a malignant tumor or cancer or on or after July 1, 2016, in the case of an intracranial, intraspinal, or spinal schwannoma. Claims under this section for the negligent failure to diagnose a malignant tumor or cancer, where the health care provider's underlying act or omission occurred prior to July 1, 2008, shall be governed by the statute of limitations that existed prior to July 1, 2008. Claims under this section for the negligent failure to diagnose an intracranial, intraspinal, or spinal schwannoma, where the health care provider's underlying act or omission occurred prior to July 1, 2016, shall be governed by the statute of limitations that existed prior to July 1, 2016. However, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to extend the limitations period beyond 10 years from the date the cause of action accrues, except that the provisions of subdivision A 2 of § 8.01-229 shall apply to toll the statute of limitations in actions brought by or on behalf of a person under a disability. (D) Every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring during the infancy or incapacity of the person as set forth in subdivision 6 of § 8.01-249 shall be brought within 20 years after the cause of action accrues. (D1) For a cause of action accruing on or after July 1, 2020, every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse, other than those actions specified in subsection D, shall be brought within 10 years after the cause of action accrues. (D2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections D and D1, every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring when the person was 18 years old or older by a person of authority over a victim shall be brought within 15 years after the cause of action accrues. For the purposes of this subsection, "person of authority" means a person in a position of trust having influence over the victim's life. (E) Every action for injury to property brought by the Commonwealth against a tort-feasor for expenses arising out of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle shall be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues.

§ 8.01-251. Limitations on enforcement of judgments. A. No execution shall be issued and no action brought on a judgment dated, extended, or renewed, prior to July 1, 2021, including a judgment in favor of the Commonwealth and a judgment rendered in another state or country, after 20 years from the date of such judgment or domestication of such judgment or 20 years from the date of such extension or renewal of such judgment, whichever is later, unless the period is extended as provided in this section. No execution shall be issued and no action brought on a judgment dated on or after July 1, 2021, including a judgment in favor of the Commonwealth and a judgment rendered in another state or country, after 10 years from the date of such judgment or domestication of such judgment, unless the period is extended as provided in this section

A. Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other statute, every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, and every action for damages resulting from fraud, shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues

(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;

(b) A tort claim against the United States shall be forever barred unless it is presented in writing to the appropriate Federal agency within two years after such claim accrues or unless action is begun within six months after the date of mailing, by certified or registered mail, of notice of final denial of the claim by the agency to which it was presented.

B. Every action for injury to property, including actions by a parent or guardian of an infant against a tort-feasor for expenses of curing or attempting to cure such infant from the result of a personal injury or loss of services of such infant, shall be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues.

B. No action shall be commenced under this section more than 20 years after the death of such person.

Subject to the provisions of § 8.01-243 regarding injuries to person and property and of § 8.01-245 regarding the application of limitations to fiduciaries, and their bonds, actions founded upon a contract, other than actions on a judgment or decree, shall be brought within the following number of years next after the cause of action shall have accrued: 2. In actions on any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within five years whether such writing be under seal or not; 4. In actions upon (i) any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and not signed by the party to be charged, or by his agent, or (ii) any unwritten contract, express or implied, within three years.

§ 8.01-247.1 . Limitation on action for defamation, etc.
Every action for injury resulting from libel, slander, insulting words, or defamation shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues.
If a publisher of statements actionable under this section publishes anonymously or under a false identity on the Internet, an action may be filed under this section and the statute of limitations shall be tolled until the identity of the publisher is discovered or, by the exercise of due diligence, reasonably should have been discovered.

(A) Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other statute, every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, and every action for damages resulting from fraud, shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues.

D. Every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring during the infancy or incapacity of the person as set forth in subdivision 6 of § 8.01-249 shall be brought within 20 years after the cause of action accrues. D1. For a cause of action accruing on or after July 1, 2020, every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse, other than those actions specified in subsection D, shall be brought within 10 years after the cause of action accrues. D2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections D and D1, every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring when the person was 18 years old or older by a person of authority over a victim shall be brought within 15 years after the cause of action accrues.

D. Every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring during the infancy or incapacity of the person as set forth in subdivision 6 of § 8.01-249 shall be brought within 20 years after the cause of action accrues.
D1. For a cause of action accruing on or after July 1, 2020, every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse, other than those actions specified in subsection D, shall be brought within 10 years after the cause of action accrues.
D2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections D and D1, every action for injury to the person, whatever the theory of recovery, resulting from sexual abuse occurring when the person was 18 years old or older by a person of authority over a victim shall be brought within 15 years after the cause of action accrues. For the purposes of this subsection, "person of authority" means a person in a position of trust having influence over the victim's life

D. No suit shall be maintained to enforce any liability created under this section unless brought within two years after the transaction upon which it is based; provided, that, if any person liable by reason of subsection A, B or C of this section makes a written offer, before suit is brought, to refund the consideration paid and any loss due to any investment advice provided by such person, together with interest thereon at the annual rate of six percent, less the amount of any income received on the security or resulting from such advice, or to pay damages if the purchaser no longer owns the security, no purchaser or user of the investment advisory service shall maintain a suit under this section

Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter or federal statutes governing discrimination in employment that also falls under the jurisdiction of this chapter shall be filed with the Office no later than two years from the day upon which the alleged discriminatory practice occurred. The Office itself may in a like manner initiate such a complaint. The complaint shall be in such detail as to substantially apprise any party properly concerned as to the time, place, and facts surrounding the alleged unlawful discrimination.

A. Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice may file a complaint in writing under oath or affirmation with the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Law (the Office). Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter or federal statutes governing discrimination in employment that also falls under the jurisdiction of this chapter shall be filed with the Office no later than two years from the day upon which the alleged discriminatory practice occurred. The Office itself may in a like manner initiate such a complaint. The complaint shall be in such detail as to substantially apprise any party properly concerned as to the time, place, and facts surrounding the alleged unlawful discrimination.

(A) Every claim cognizable against the Commonwealth or a transportation district shall be forever barred unless the claimant or his agent, attorney or representative has filed a written statement of the nature of the claim, which includes the time and place at which the injury is alleged to have occurred and the agency or agencies alleged to be liable, within one year after such cause of action accrued. Failure to provide such statement shall not bar a claim against the Commonwealth or a transportation district, provided that (i) for claims against the Commonwealth, the Division of Risk Management or any insurer or entity providing coverage or indemnification of the claim or the Attorney General or (ii) for claims against a transportation district, the chairman of the commission of the transportation district, had actual knowledge of the claim, which includes the nature of the claim, the time and place at which the injury is alleged to have occurred, and the agency or agencies alleged to be liable, within one year after such cause of action accrued. However, if the claimant was under a disability at the time the cause of action accrued, the tolling provisions of § 8.01-229 shall apply.

§ 8.2-725 . Statute of limitations in contracts for sale.
(1) 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.
(2) A cause of action accrues when the breach occurs, regardless of the aggrieved party's lack of knowledge of the breach. A breach of warranty occurs when tender of delivery is made, except that where a warranty explicitly extends to future performance of the goods and discovery of the breach must await the time of such performance the cause of action accrues when the breach is or should have been discovered.
(3) Where an action commenced within the time limited by subsection (1) is so terminated as to leave available a remedy by another action for the same breach such other action may be commenced after the expiration of the time limited and within six months after the termination of the first action unless the termination resulted from voluntary discontinuance or from dismissal for failure or neglect to prosecute.
(4) This section does not alter the law on tolling of the statute of limitations nor does it apply to causes of action which have accrued before this act becomes effective.

Every personal action accruing on or after July 1, 1995, for which no limitation is otherwise prescribed, shall be brought within two years after the right to bring such action has accrued. Code 1950, § 8-24; 1954, c. 589; 1973, c. 385; 1977, c. 617; 1995, c. 9 . The chapters of the acts of assembly referenced in the historical citation at the end of this section may not constitute a comprehensive list of such chapters and may exclude chapters whose provisions have expired.

Any employer that violates the overtime pay requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq., as amended, and any regulations, guidance, or rules adopted pursuant to the overtime pay provisions of such federal act or any related governing case law shall be liable to the employee for the applicable remedies, damages, or other relief available in an action brought pursuant to subsection K of § 40.1-29. For the purposes of this section, "employer" and "employee" shall have the meanings ascribed to them under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and all applicable exemptions, overtime calculation methods, methods of overtime payment, or other overtime provisions within the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and any attendant regulations, guidance, or rules shall apply. Any action brought pursuant to this section shall accrue according to the applicable limitations set forth in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and shall be commenced within three years after accrual.

§ 40.1-27.3. Retaliatory action against employee prohibited. ... C. A person who alleges a violation of this section may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction within one year of the employer's prohibited retaliatory action. The court may order as a remedy to the employee (i) an injunction to restrain continued violation of this section, (ii) the reinstatement of the employee to the same position held before the retaliatory action or to an equivalent position, and (iii) compensation for lost wages, benefits, and other remuneration, together with interest thereon, as well as reasonable attorney fees and costs.

The cause of action in the actions herein listed shall be deemed to accrue as follows: 1. In actions for fraud or mistake, in actions for violations of the Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.) based upon any misrepresentation, deception, or fraud, and in actions for rescission of contract for undue influence, when such fraud, mistake, misrepresentation, deception, or undue influence is discovered or by the exercise of due diligence reasonably should have been discovered

A. Every claim cognizable against the Commonwealth or a transportation district shall be forever barred unless the claimant or his agent, attorney or representative has filed a written statement of the nature of the claim, which includes the time and place at which the injury is alleged to have occurred and the agency or agencies alleged to be liable, within one year after such cause of action accrued. Failure to provide such statement shall not bar a claim against the Commonwealth or a transportation district, provided that (i) for claims against the Commonwealth, the Division of Risk Management or any insurer or entity providing coverage or indemnification of the claim or the Attorney General or (ii) for claims against a transportation district, the chairman of the commission of the transportation district, had actual knowledge of the claim, which includes the nature of the claim, the time and place at which the injury is alleged to have occurred, and the agency or agencies alleged to be liable, within one year after such cause of action accrued. However, if the claimant was under a disability at the time the cause of action accrued, the tolling provisions of § 8.01-229 shall apply.
B. If the claim is against the Commonwealth, the statement shall be filed with the Director of the Division of Risk Management or the Attorney General, except as otherwise provided herein. If the claim is against a transportation district, the statement shall be filed with the chairman of the commission of the transportation district. If the claim is against the Commonwealth and the agency alleged to be liable is the Department of Transportation, then notice of such claim shall be filed with the Commissioner of Highways. If notice of such claim is filed with the Commissioner of Highways and is outside of any settlement authority delegated to the Department of Transportation by the Attorney General, then the Commissioner of Highways shall promptly deliver the notice of such claim to the Attorney General.
C. The notice is deemed filed when it is received in the office of the official to whom the notice is directed. The notice may be delivered by hand, by any form of United States mail service (including regular, certified, registered or overnight mail), or by commercial delivery service. If notice is to be filed with the Commissioner of Highways, it may also be delivered electronically in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Highways.
D. In any action contesting the filing of the notice of claim, the burden of proof shall be on the claimant to establish receipt of the notice in conformity with this section. A signed United States mail return receipt indicating the date of delivery, or any other form of signed and dated acknowledgment of delivery given by authorized personnel in the office of the official with whom the statement is filed, shall be prima facie evidence of filing of the notice under this section.
E. Claims against the Commonwealth involving medical malpractice shall be subject to the provisions of this article and to the provisions of Chapter 21.1 (§ 8.01-581.1 et seq.). However, the recovery in such a claim involving medical malpractice shall not exceed the limits imposed by § 8.01-195.3.
1981, c. 449; 1984, cc. 638, 698; 1986, c. 584; 1991, c. 23; 1992, c. 796; 2002, c. 207; 2007, c. 368; 2016, cc. 760, 772.

Under Va. Code § 8.01-243(A), every action for personal injuries — whatever the theory of recovery — and every action for damages resulting from fraud, must be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues, unless otherwise provided. The 'whatever the theory of recovery' language makes this a unitary 2-year limit covering general PI, negligence, premises liability, product liability, and other PI theories.

Under Va. Code § 8.01-246(A)(2), an action on any contract that is in writing and signed by the party to be charged must be commenced within five years. Controls written contracts and promissory notes in Virginia. Oral/unsigned contracts under § 8.01-246(4) are 3 years.

Virginia treats legal malpractice as a breach of contract claim subject to § 8.01-246. If the attorney-client retainer is in writing and signed by the party to be charged, the limitation is 5 years from accrual (§ 8.01-246(2)). If the retainer is oral, unwritten, or unsigned, the limitation is 3 years (§ 8.01-246(4)). Note: Va. Code § 8.01-246.1 (cited in some sources) does not exist; the contract-based framework under § 8.01-246 controls per MacLellan v. Throckmorton.

Actions upon an unwritten (oral) contract, express or implied, in Virginia must be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues.

Virginia applies a two-year statute of limitations to common-law wrongful termination claims brought as the Bowman tort (wrongful discharge in violation of public policy). The claim sounds in tort for personal injury, so it is governed by Va. Code § 8.01-243(A)'s residual two-year period for 'every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery,' rather than the longer contract limitations periods in Va. Code § 8.01-246. Contract-based wrongful termination claims (breach of writte

Virginia's construction-related statute of repose bars covered actions for injury to property, bodily injury, wrongful death, contribution, or indemnity arising out of a defective or unsafe condition of an improvement to real property more than five years after the performance or furnishing of the design, planning, surveying, supervision of construction, or construction services.

A Virginia legal-malpractice claim is governed by the limitations period for breach of contract under Va. Code § 8.01-246. Where the attorney-client engagement is a written contract signed by the party to be charged, the period is five years under § 8.01-246(A)(2). Where the engagement is oral or unsigned, the period is three years under § 8.01-246(A)(4). The cause of action accrues at the time of the attorney's breach, subject to the continuous representation rule (Keller v. Denny, 232 Va. 512 

Virginia imposes a five-year statute of repose under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-250 on actions for property damage, personal injury, wrongful death, or contribution/indemnity arising from the defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property, when those actions are brought against persons performing or furnishing the design, planning, surveying, supervision of construction, or construction of the improvement. The five years runs from completion of the protected services (not from accru

In Virginia, an action for property damage, personal injury, wrongful death, or contribution/indemnity arising out of a defective or unsafe condition of an improvement to real property must be brought within five years after the performance or furnishing of the design, planning, surveying, supervision of construction, or construction services — this is a statute of repose running from completion of services, not from accrual of the cause of action. The section covers claims against architects, e

Virginia's general SOL imposes a 2-year period on personal injury and fraud claims (§ 8.01-243(A)), a 5-year period on property damage claims (§ 8.01-243(B)), a 2-year period on wrongful death claims running from the date of death (§ 8.01-244(B)), and a 5-year construction statute of repose (§ 8.01-250). Tolling is available for infancy, incapacity, and active obstruction (§ 8.01-228). Specific claim types may have different periods: defamation/libel/slander (1 yr, § 8.01-247.1), legal malpracti

Under Va. Code § 8.01-229(A)(1) and (A)(2)(a), the statute of limitations does not run against a minor plaintiff in Virginia. If the cause of action accrues while the plaintiff is an infant (under age 18, unless emancipated), the plaintiff may bring the action within the prescribed limitation period after the disability is removed. The time during which the plaintiff is within the age of minority shall not be counted as any part of the period within which the action must be brought. The SOL cloc

Statute of limitations for personal injury in US-VA is 2 years under Va. Code § 8.01-243(A).

Statute of limitations for medical malpractice in US-VA is 2 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(A); § 8.01-243(C); § 8.01-243.1 (minors).

Statute of limitations for legal malpractice in US-VA is 5 years under Va. Code § 8.01-246(2) (written, signed retainer) or § 8.01-246(4) (oral or unsigned retainer).

Statute of limitations for product liability in US-VA is 2 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(A); § 8.01-246(C).

Statute of limitations for premises liability in US-VA is 2 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(A).

Statute of limitations for breach written contract in US-VA is 5 years under Va. Code § 8.01-246(A)(2).

Statute of limitations for breach oral contract in US-VA is 3 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-246(4).

Statute of limitations for ucc sale of goods in US-VA is 4 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.2-725.

Statute of limitations for fraud in US-VA is 2 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(A).

Statute of limitations for libel in US-VA is 1 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1.

Statute of limitations for slander in US-VA is 1 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1.

Statute of limitations for property damage in US-VA is 5 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(B).

Statute of limitations for trespass in US-VA is 5 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(B).

Statute of limitations for government tort claim in US-VA is 1 years under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-195.6.

Statute of limitations for assault and battery in US-VA is 2 years under Va. Code 8.01-243(A).

Statute of limitations for class a 1st degree felony in US-VA is 2 years under Va. Code § 8.01-243(A).

Statute of limitations for statute of repose in US-VA is 5 years under Va. Code § 8.01-250.

Statute of limitations for construction defects in US-VA is 5 years under Va. Code § 8.01-250.

Statute of limitations for oral contract in US-VA is 3 years under Va. Code § 8.01-246.

Statute of limitations for assault and battery intentional tort in virginia is 2 years under Va. Code 8.01-243(A).

Under Va. Code § 8.01-246(4), an action upon any unwritten contract, express or implied — which includes credit-card and open-account debt — must be brought within three years of the cause of action accruing.

Virginia Code § 8.01-243(B) establishes a 5-year statute of limitations for actions for injury to property, which encompasses trespass to chattels and conversion claims.

Virginia Code § 59.1-204.1 establishes a 2-year statute of limitations for individual consumer protection actions under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, requiring suit to be commenced within two years after accrual.

The FTCA (28 U.S.C. § 2401(b)) requires claimants to present a claim to the federal agency within 2 years of accrual; after agency denial, suit must be filed within 6 months of mailing of notice of final denial. This federal limitation applies to claims brought in Virginia.

A premises-liability slip-and-fall claim is an action for personal injuries; under Va. Code § 8.01-243(A), every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, must be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues.

Tortious interference with business or contractual relations is an injury to property rights; under Va. Code § 8.01-243(B), every action for injury to property must be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues.

A common-law wrongful-termination (Bowman) claim is a personal tort action governed by the 2-year limitations period of Va. Code § 8.01-243(A). Va. Code § 8.01-248 (catch-all) does not apply where a specific period exists.

Under Va. Code § 8.01-244(B), every wrongful-death action under § 8.01-50 must be brought by the personal representative of the decedent within two years after the death of the injured person.

Written defamation (libel) is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1, which sets a 1 year limitations period for defamation actions.

An action for injury to property in Virginia must be brought within 5 years after the cause of action accrues.

False arrest and false imprisonment are personal-injury torts in Virginia and must be brought within 2 years after the cause of action accrues.

Virginia actions for injury resulting from slander or defamation must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-247.1.

Virginia recognizes invasion of privacy only as the statutory claim for unauthorized use of a person's name, portrait, or picture under Va. Code § 8.01-40; subsection (B) provides that no action under that section may be commenced more than twenty (20) years after the death of such person.

Virginia has not enacted a retroactive revival window; instead, Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(D) provides that every action for injury to the person resulting from sexual abuse during infancy or incapacity must be brought within 20 years after the cause of action accrues.

Virginia tolls the statute of limitations for minor plaintiffs under Va. Code § 8.01-229(A)(1) and (A)(2)(a). If a cause of action accrues while the plaintiff is an infant (under age 18, unless emancipated), the limitations period does not begin to run until the disability of infancy is removed. The time during which the plaintiff is within the age of minority is excluded from the limitations period. Method: pause — the SOL clock pauses during minority and the full period runs after majority.

Virginia does NOT toll the statute of limitations for a defendant's mere absence from the Commonwealth. Va. Code § 8.01-229 — reviewed in full via two independent channels — contains no absence-from-state tolling provision. Section 8.01-229(D) covers only active obstruction of filing (bankruptcy or other direct/indirect means). Simple absence tolling was abolished when Virginia adopted long-arm jurisdiction. Value corrected from true to false.

Virginia tolls the statute of limitations when a defendant uses fraudulent means or concealment to obstruct the filing of an action. Va. Code § 8.01-229(D)(ii) covers 'using any other direct or indirect means to obstruct the filing of an action,' which encompasses fraudulent concealment and active misrepresentation. The time during which the obstruction continues is excluded from the limitations period.

Virginia's discovery rule is ENABLED via Va. Code § 8.01-249, which establishes discovery-based accrual for nine specific claim categories including fraud/Consumer Protection Act (subdivision 1), latent non-asbestos injuries (4a), asbestos injuries (4), sexual abuse during infancy/incapacity (6), breast implant products liability (7), open accounts (8), and medical device products liability (9). The rule is statutory and limited to these enumerated claim types.

Every action for injury resulting from libel, slander, insulting words, or defamation shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues.

Every action for injury to property, including actions by a parent or guardian of an infant against a tort-feasor for expenses of curing or attempting to cure such infant from the result of a personal injury or loss of services of such infant, shall be brought within five years after the cause of action accrues.

Subject to the provisions of § 8.01-243 regarding injuries to person and property and of § 8.2-725 regarding the sale of goods, actions founded upon a contract, other than actions on a judgment or decree, shall be brought within the following number of years next after the cause of action shall have accrued: ... 2. In actions on any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within five years whether such writing be under seal or not.

Statute of Limitations for Libel (written defamation) in Virginia

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Virginia — Statute of Limitations

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