Alabama Civil-Rights Filing Deadlines
Alabama civil-rights deadlines: the federal Section 1983 statute of limitations borrows Alabama's 2 years personal-injury deadline (Wilson v. Garcia) and a state notice-of-claim window of about 180 days. Alabama sits in the 11th Cir. (N.D./M.D./S.D. Alabama). General reference only — confirm every deadline with a licensed attorney.
- Federal Section 1983 statute of limitations: 2 years (borrowed personal-injury SOL under Wilson v. Garcia).
- Most state-law claims against government defendants require a notice of claim within roughly 180 days of the incident.
- Body-camera and dashcam footage is often overwritten in about 30 days — send a written preservation request as early as possible.
- Federal district court: N.D./M.D./S.D. Alabama.
- Federal circuit: 11th Cir..
- Tort Claims Act: Ala. Code § 11-93-2.
- State-law damage cap: $100,000 per claim / $300,000 per occurrence vs. governmental entities (Section 1983 claims are not subject to state caps).
- Notice to municipal defendants generally 6 months under Ala. Code §11-47-23 / §11-47-192.
- Legal-aid hub: Legal Services Alabama (https://alabamalegalhelp.org).
- ACLU affiliate: https://www.aclualabama.org.
This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Use the interactive calculator at https://manalegalai.org/deadlines and find help at https://manalegalai.org/resources.