How long is the statute of limitations for filing a defamation claim in Utah?

In Utah, the statute of limitations for filing a defamation claim is indeed two years. This time frame begins to run from the date the defamatory statement was published or made known to the injured party. The rationale behind having a specific statute of limitations is to encourage timely filing of claims, ensuring that evidence is still fresh and witnesses are available.

Defamation claims encompass both libel (written defamation) and slander (spoken defamation), and the two-year limit applies uniformly to both types. This aligns with the general principle of promoting judicial efficiency and certainty in legal matters, as longer time frames could lead to challenges in proving the validity of claims due to the fading of memory or loss of evidence over time.

While other options suggest varying lengths, two years is specifically tailored to balance the interests of both the plaintiff and the defendant in defamation cases within Utah.