Every action for injury resulting from libel, slander, insulting words, or defamation shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues.
If a publisher of statements actionable under this section publishes anonymously or under a false identity on the Internet, an action may be filed under this section and the statute of limitations shall be tolled until the identity of the publisher is discovered or, by the exercise of due diligence, reasonably should have been discovered.
1995, c. 9; 2015, c. 128.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure
Chapter 4 - Limitations of Actions
§ 8.01-228. Scope of limitations; "personal action" defined
§ 8.01-230. Accrual of right of action
§ 8.01-231. Commonwealth not within statute of limitations
§ 8.01-232. Effect of promises not to plead statute of limitations
§ 8.01-234. Repeal of limitation not to remove bar of statute
§ 8.01-236. Limitation of entry on or action for land
§ 8.01-237. Effect of disabilities upon right of entry on, or action for, land
§ 8.01-240. Liens for water, sewer, or sidewalk assessments
§ 8.01-241.1. Permissible form for certificate
§ 8.01-242. Same; when no maturity date is given; credit line deeds of trust
§ 8.01-243.1. Actions for medical malpractice; minors
§ 8.01-243.2. Limitations of actions by confined persons; exhaustion
§ 8.01-244. Actions for wrongful death; limitation
§ 8.01-246. Personal actions based on contracts
§ 8.01-247.1. Limitation on action for defamation, etc.
§ 8.01-248. Personal actions for which no other limitation is specified
§ 8.01-249. When cause of action shall be deemed to accrue in certain personal actions
§ 8.01-250.1. Limitation on actions involving removal of asbestos
§ 8.01-251. Limitations on enforcement of judgments
§ 8.01-253. Limitation of suits to avoid voluntary conveyances, etc.
§ 8.01-254. Limitation on enforcement of bequests and legacies
§ 8.01-255. Time for presenting claim against Commonwealth
§ 8.01-256. As to rights and remedies existing when this chapter takes effect