Defamation Laws in Delaware
How long you have to sue for libel or slander in Delaware, and any retraction rules, from the state code.
Short answer: Delaware's statutes do not set a separate deadline for libel or slander. Delaware courts treat defamation as a personal-injury claim, so it must be filed within two years under the personal-injury statute, which bars actions brought "after the expiration of 2 years" from the date the… 10 Del. C. § 8119; Clark v. Delaware Psychiatric Center, C.A. No. 11C-01-012 MMJ (Del. Super. Aug. 9, 2011)
| Deadline to sue for defamation (libel and slander) | Delaware's statutes do not set a separate deadline for libel or slander. Delaware courts treat defamation as a personal-injury claim, so it must be filed within two years under the personal-injury statute, which bars actions brought "after the expiration of 2 years" from the date the injury was sustained. The same two-year deadline applies to both libel and slander. Statute: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title10/c081/index.html |
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FAQ
How long do you have to sue for defamation in Delaware?
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
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