Home› State Guides› Wisconsin

Wisconsin Statute of Limitations (2026)

Civil filing deadlines in Wisconsin under Wis. Stat. ch. 893 — three years for injury to the person, six for contracts, property damage and fraud alike.

✓ Last verified: Sep 2026

Claim Types

claim types tracked

Filing Range

3–6

year filing range

Govt. Notice

0.3

yrs to notify govt.

2 of these entries are marked “Unverified.” They have been added to the register but not yet checked line-by-line against the current statute text. Treat those figures as a starting point only, and confirm the citation at its official source before relying on it.

3 YEARS

Personal Injury

Three years for an action to recover damages for injuries to the person.

Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m)(a) ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Medical Malpractice

Three years from the act or omission, or one year from when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered — whichever is later.

Wis. Stat. § 893.55(1m)(a) ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Written Contract

Six years from breach.

Wis. Stat. § 893.43 ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Property Damage

Six years for injury to property — double what Wisconsin allows for injury to the person.

Wis. Stat. § 893.52 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Defamation

Three years for libel or slander.

Wis. Stat. § 893.57 ✓ Verified

3 YEARS

Product Liability

Three years for personal injury caused by a defective product.

Wis. Stat. § 893.54 Unverified

3 YEARS

Wrongful Death

Three years — and the discovery rule applies, so the claim accrues when the injury is discovered or with reasonable diligence should have been discovered.

Wis. Stat. § 893.54(2m) ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Fraud

Six years, with the cause of action not accruing until discovery of the facts constituting the fraud.

Wis. Stat. § 893.93(1)(b) ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Breach of Oral Contract

Six years — the same as a written contract.

Wis. Stat. § 893.43 ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Legal Malpractice

Six years under the residual provision, generally running from discovery of the injury.

Wis. Stat. § 893.53 Unverified

3 YEARS

Assault & Battery

Three years.

Wis. Stat. § 893.57 ✓ Verified

6 YEARS

Trespass to Land

Six years for trespass causing injury to real property.

Wis. Stat. § 893.52 ✓ Verified

0.3

years

Government claims notice

Notice of injury within 120 days — Wis. Stat. § 893.80 Section 893.80 requires written notice of the circumstances of the claim to the governmental body within 120 days of the event, plus an itemised statement of relief sought. The body then has 120 days to allow or disallow the claim. Colby v. Columbia County holds that a suit filed before that 120-day denial period expires is not truly commenced and does not toll the limitations clock — so filing early can be as fatal as filing late.

Common Questions About Wisconsin Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Wisconsin?

It depends on the type of claim. Wisconsin filing deadlines range from 3 years to 6 years — for example, personal injury 3 years, breach of a written contract 6 years, medical malpractice 3 years, defamation 3 years.

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin?

3 years under Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m)(a). Three years for an action to recover damages for injuries to the person. Full personal injury rules →

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Wisconsin?

3 years under Wis. Stat. § 893.54(2m). Three years — and the discovery rule applies, so the claim accrues when the injury is discovered or with reasonable diligence should have been discovered. Full wrongful death rules →

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Wisconsin?

3 years under Wis. Stat. § 893.55(1m)(a). Three years from the act or omission, or one year from when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered — whichever is later. Full medical malpractice rules →

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Wisconsin?

6 years under Wis. Stat. § 893.43. Six years from breach. Full breach of a written contract rules →

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Wisconsin?

3 years under Wis. Stat. § 893.57. Three years for libel or slander. Full defamation rules →

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Wisconsin?

6 years under Wis. Stat. § 893.52. Six years for injury to property — double what Wisconsin allows for injury to the person. Full property damage rules →

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Wisconsin?

Often, yes. Notice of injury within 120 days under Wis. Stat. § 893.80. This is usually much shorter than the ordinary deadline.

Know your rights — check the claim type that matches your situation, then confirm the deadline with a licensed attorney.

Browse claim types

Wisconsin Statute of Limitations (2026)

Common Questions About Wisconsin Deadlines

What is the statute of limitations in Wisconsin?

How long do you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin?

What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Wisconsin?

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Wisconsin?

What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in Wisconsin?

How long do you have to sue for defamation in Wisconsin?

What is the statute of limitations for property damage in Wisconsin?

Do you have to notify the government before suing in Wisconsin?

Get Help in Wisconsin