Statute of Limitations in Wisconsin
State-specific overview · Contract Law
Wisconsin generally allows three years for personal injury claims and six years for written contract actions.
How Wisconsin treats Statute of Limitations
Wisconsin Statute § 893.54 provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury and tort claims from the date of injury. Written contracts have a six-year limit under § 893.43. Wisconsin applies the discovery rule in medical malpractice cases, allowing the statute to begin when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered. The state also provides tolling for minors and persons under legal disability.
The general definition of Statute of Limitations
A law setting the maximum time period within which a lawsuit can be filed after an injury or breach occurs.
Every type of legal claim has a deadline. Once that deadline passes, you lose the right to sue, even if you have a valid claim. The statute of limitations varies depending on the type of case—contract disputes might have a different deadline than personal injury claims, for example. These time limits exist to protect defendants from being sued years or decades after an event, when evidence may be lost and memories fade. Once the deadline expires, the claim is essentially dead, and courts will dismiss any lawsuit filed after that point.
Read the full Statute of Limitations entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.