{"id":377291,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-23T15:48:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T20:48:59","slug":"wisconsin-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-civil-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Civil Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wisconsin Civil Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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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
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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

Some people think that personal injury lawsuits<\/a> settle within a matter of months. While this is sometimes true in civil cases, it is not typical. Because it can take years for your case to resolve, you may assume that you can wait as long as you want to file your lawsuit. But that isn’t the case, regardless of where you live.<\/p>\r\n

Every state has a set of laws called statutes of limitation<\/a>. These laws dictate how long a plaintiff has to start their cause of action. If you don’t file your claim before the statutory time period expires, the court will dismiss your complaint, and you’ll lose your chance to pursue damages.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll explain how Wisconsin’s civil statutes of limitation<\/a> work. We will also discuss the specific time limits for the most common types of civil claims. If you still have questions about your personal injury case, refer to the list of more resources at the end of this section. You should also contact a local attorney<\/a> for help.<\/p>\r\n

Civil Statutes of Limitations Generally<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Wisconsin statute of limitations laws are like those in other states. Depending on the type of case, the statutes of limitations in Wisconsin range from two to six years. Under Wisconsin law, the statutory clock<\/a> starts ticking on the date of the injury or the discovery of the harm (in some cases).<\/p>\r\n

Lawmakers created statutes of limitations<\/a> to create fairness and practicality. The courts believe it’s unfair for someone to have a potential legal issue hanging over their head indefinitely.<\/p>\r\n

At the same time, the injured party has ample time to decide whether to file a personal injury claim<\/a> against the person responsible for their loss. With this in mind, statutes of limitation try to create a distinct end to each legal conflict so both parties can move forward.<\/p>\r\n

Civil Statutes of Limitations in Wisconsin<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The various state statutes of limitations<\/a> vary. The chart below highlights the civil statutes of limitations in Wisconsin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Personal injury<\/th>\r\n

Three years (Wis. Stat. \u00a7 893.54<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Intentional torts<\/th>\r\n

Three years (\u00a7 893.57<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Wrongful death<\/th>\r\n

Three years (\u00a7 893.54<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

Three years (\u00a7 893.57<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Fraud<\/th>\r\n

Three years (\u00a7 893.93(1m)(b)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

Six years if arising under a written contract and three years if there is no contract (\u00a7 893.52<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Professional malpractice<\/th>\r\n

Medical malpractice: Three years from the incident or one year from discovery, whichever is later. The maximum limitation period for malpractice is five years. (\u00a7 893.55(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Trespass<\/th>\r\n

Six years (\u00a7 893.52<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

Six years (\u00a7 843.13(1)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

20 years; six years court not of record (\u00a7 893.40<\/a>, 893.42<\/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 local attorney or conduct legal research to verify your <\/i>state laws<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation With a Wisconsin Attorney<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Wisconsin’s civil statutes of limitations vary depending on the facts of your case and the type of claim you file. An experienced Wisconsin attorney is familiar with Wisconsin’s statutes and will help ensure you file your claim<\/a> on time.<\/p>\r\n

Whether you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident or want to pursue a claim against your health care provider, you should consult a Wisconsin personal injury attorney<\/a> sooner rather than later.<\/p>\r\n

Related Resources for Civil Statutes of Limitations<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

You must know the filing deadline for your civil cause of action. If you miss the filing window, you’ll lose your chance to recover compensation for your injuries. The following resources may help determine when and how to file your claim.<\/p>\r\n