How Long To Sue
SDCL § 15-2-13 — six years on a contract, three for a personal injury, two for libel, slander or unpaid wages
| Claim | Time to sue |
|---|---|
| ClaimA contract, or injury to property | Time to sueSix years |
| ClaimPersonal injury | Time to sueThree years |
| ClaimLibel, slander, assault, battery or false imprisonment | Time to sueTwo years |
| ClaimWages under a statute or contract | Time to sueTwo years |
Each runs from when the cause of action accrued, except where a statute sets a different limit for a special case.
Malpractice, government claims and others have limits of their own. A particular deadline is a question for a licensed South Dakota attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- SDCL § 15-2-13 — Contract obligation or liability; Statutory liability; Trespass; Personal property; Injury to noncontract rights; Fraud; Setting aside corporate instrument
- SDCL § 15-2-14 — Action against sheriff, coroner, or constable; Action for statutory penalty or forfeiture; Action for personal injury
- SDCL § 15-2-15 — Actions for libel, slander, assault, battery, or false imprisonment; Actions for statutory forfeitures or penalties; Actions concerning wages
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Dakota attorney.