{"id":377352,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2025-06-24T10:54:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T15:54:28","slug":"wisconsin-statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n \n Wisconsin Statutes of Limitations\n <\/h1>\n \n Statutes of limitations are laws that set time limits for when legal action can be taken.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\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
\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

Every state has laws that dictate how long you have to file a civil claim, such as a personal injury lawsuit. The same is true for criminal cases. These laws are called statutes of limitations. If either a plaintiff or prosecutor doesn\u2019t file their case before the statute of limitations period expires, the court will dismiss the action.<\/p>\r\n

Wisconsin has statutes of limitations<\/a> for both criminal charges and civil cases. For example, under Wisconsin law, personal injury lawsuits<\/a> must be filed within three years of the date of the injury. For misdemeanor offenses, prosecutors must file charges within three years of the crime.<\/p>\r\n

This article should answer any questions you might have about the Wisconsin statute of limitations laws. Contact a local attorney<\/a> if you plan to file a civil cause of action or believe criminal charges are pending.<\/p>\r\n

When Does the Wisconsin Civil Statute of Limitations Period Start?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In general, the statute of limitations period begins on the date of the incident, accident, or crime. There are times, however, when the court tolls, or delays, the statute of limitations. For example, the \u201cdiscovery rule<\/a>\u201d states that the statute of limitations period doesn\u2019t begin until the plaintiff discovers, or should have discovered, their injury.<\/p>\r\n

There are other situations in which the court may extend the statute of limitations period, including:<\/p>\r\n