Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Minnesota
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date plaintiff suffers some damage (Minnesota's 'some damage' rule – not full discovery rule), under Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1).
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The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Minnesota is 2 years, set by Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1). It starts running on Date plaintiff suffers some damage (Minnesota's 'some damage' rule – not full discovery rule). This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Minnesota Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1) |
| Car Accident | 6 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(5) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 4 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 541.076 |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 573.02 |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 347.22 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1) |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1) |
When the Clock Starts
In Minnesota, the limitations period for personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date plaintiff suffers some damage (Minnesota's 'some damage' rule – not full discovery rule). Minnesota recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Minnesota applies a 'some damage' rule rather than a full discovery rule: the 2-year clock starts when the plaintiff suffers at least some actual harm from the defendant's conduct, not merely when the defendant acts negligently
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: 180 days written notice required for claims against cities and counties under Minn. Stat. § 466.05
- Damage caps: Government liability capped at $1,500,000 per claimant / $2,000,000 per occurrence under Minn. Stat. § 466.04; no cap on damages in general PI claims against private defendants
Modified comparative fault (51% bar) under Minn. Stat. § 604.01. The 2-year SOL under § 541.07(1) covers libel, slander, assault, battery, false imprisonment, and 'other tort resulting in personal injury' including slip-and-fall, dog bite, and general negligence.
Source: Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1), official Minnesota statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Minnesota government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Minnesota Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 2 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1) |
| North Dakota | 6 yrs | N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16(5) |
| South Dakota | 3 yrs | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14(3) |
| Iowa | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) |
| Wisconsin | 3 yrs | Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Minnesota?
You have 2 years from Date plaintiff suffers some damage (Minnesota's 'some damage' rule – not full discovery rule), under Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1).
Can I still sue after 2 years in Minnesota?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to personal injury lawsuits in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota applies a 'some damage' rule rather than a full discovery rule: the 2-year clock starts when the plaintiff suffers at least some actual harm from the defendant's conduct, not merely when the defendant acts negligently
What if the victim was a minor?
Minnesota generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
180 days written notice required for claims against cities and counties under Minn. Stat. § 466.05
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Sources
- Official Minn. Stat. § 541.07 – Two-year limitations for personal injury torts (Minnesota Legislature)
- Corroborating Minnesota Personal Injury Statute of Limitations – Nolo
- Corroborating Minnesota Civil Statute of Limitations Laws – FindLaw
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Minnesota attorney.