{"id":374229,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-19T14:45:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T19:45:25","slug":"minnesota-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Minnesota Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Minnesota’s civil statute of limitations sets time limits for filing lawsuits to ensure timely and reliable adjudication. Personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within two years, while breaches of contract have a six-year limit. Product liability varies between four and six years. Knowing these deadlines is crucial as missing them can lead to the dismissal of the case, barring recovery of any damages.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Every state has time limits for filing a civil action, called statutes of limitation<\/a>. These laws prevent a party from threatening a lawsuit indefinitely and help ensure that factfinders determine liability using reliable and fresh evidence.<\/p>\r\n

The statute of limitations periods vary for different types of causes of action, including personal injury, wrongful death<\/a>, and medical malpractice.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of Minnesota’s civil statute of limitations<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Overview of Minnesota’s Civil Statute of Limitations<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Minnesota statutes of limitations for civil cases range from two years for personal injury<\/a> to 10 years for judgments and liens. Other claims, such as personal property damage and trespass, have a six-year statute of limitations. The same is true for breach of contract.<\/p>\r\n

The following chart summarizes the State of Minnesota’s time limits for civil lawsuits and has links to the applicable statute of limitations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Personal injury<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Minn Stat. \u00a7 541.07(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Product liability<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Four years (Minn. Stat. \u00a7 544.41<\/a>) The statute of limitations is six years for product liability cases involving negligence.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Libel\/slander<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Minn Stat. \u00a7 541.07(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Fraud<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Six years (Minn. Stat. \u00a7 541.05(6)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Personal property damage<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Six years (Minn. Stat. \u00a7 541.05(4)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Professional malpractice<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Veterinary\/medical malpractice: Two years (Minn Stat. \u00a7 541.07(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Trespass<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Six years (Minn. Stat. \u00a7 541.05(3)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

False imprisonment<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Minn Stat. \u00a7 541.07(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Collection of rents<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Four years (Minn. Stat. \u00a7 336.2A-506<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Breach of contract<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Six years (Minn. Stat. \u00a7 541.05(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Collection of debt on account<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Six years (Minn. Stat. \u00a7 541.053<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Judgments<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

10 years (Minn. Stat. \u00a7 541.04<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Disclaimer: State laws are subject to change through new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information, consult a personal injury attorney to verify your state laws and learn how they might apply to your unique case.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

What if I Miss the Deadline?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If you don’t file your civil claim within the period of time under Minnesota law, the court will dismiss your case, and you’ll lose your right to recover damages<\/a>. If the court doesn’t notice that your claim is out of time, the defendant will file a motion to dismiss, asking that the court dismiss your complaint.<\/p>\r\n

There are situations in which the court may extend the statute of limitations period. But these cases are few and far between.<\/p>\r\n

Generally, the court may make an exception in the following circumstances:<\/p>\r\n