Key facts: Arkansas
- When the clock starts
- Generally the date of injury for personal injury claims; the date of death for wrongful death. Arkansas follows the discovery rule for most negligence claims, which delays accrual when the injury was not, or could not reasonably have been, discovered at the time.
- Last verified
- 2026-05-22
- Source type
- Primary (state code or court opinion)
Details and exceptions for Arkansas
Three years for both PI and wrongful death (from date of death). If a nonsuit is entered, the claim must be refiled within one year. Medical malpractice has a separate two-year deadline under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-114-203.
Related: Arkansas comparative negligence rule
Arkansas follows a modified 50% bar rule. Modified comparative fault with a 50% bar; the claimant recovers only if fault is less than 50% of the total. At exactly 50% the claimant is barred.
Read the full Arkansas comparative negligence rule →This page is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Notice deadlines for claims against governmental units, medical malpractice, intentional torts, and other special categories run on separate tracks and can be much shorter. Confirm the controlling rule with a licensed Arkansas attorney before relying on it.