Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Wyoming
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
4 years
from Date of injury, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C).
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The deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Wyoming is 4 years, set by Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C). It starts running on Date of injury. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Wyoming Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 4 years | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Car Accident | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Credit Card Debt | 8 yrs | Wyo. Stat. 1-3-105(a)(ii) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-107 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-38-102 |
| Dog Bite | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Slip and Fall | 4 yrs | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(v)(A) |
| Breach of Contract | 10 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 |
| Medical Debt | 10 yrs | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(i) |
When the Clock Starts
In Wyoming, the limitations period for personal injury lawsuits generally begins on Date of injury. Wyoming recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: Wyoming recognizes the discovery rule for latent injuries — clock may begin when plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered the injury; courts apply this exception when injury was inherently undiscoverable through reasonable diligence
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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: Wyoming Governmental Claims Act requires written notice of claim filed with the relevant government entity within two years of injury (Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-113); claimant must then file suit within one year after the claim is denied or deemed denied
- Damage caps: None — Wyoming Constitution Art. 10 § 4(a) expressly prohibits the legislature from limiting the amount of damages recoverable for personal injury or death; punitive damages are also uncapped
Modified comparative fault (51% bar). § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) covers injuries to the rights of the plaintiff not arising on contract. Wyoming's four-year deadline is among the longest in the nation for general PI. Minor tolling under § 1-3-114: minors may file within the later of the applicable limitations period or three years after turning 18. Wyoming's constitutional prohibition on damage caps is unique and broad.
Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C), official Wyoming 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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 4 years | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) |
| Montana | 3 yrs | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204(1) |
| South Dakota | 3 yrs | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14(3) |
| Nebraska | 4 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 |
| Colorado | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102(1)(a) |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 |
| Idaho | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Wyoming?
You have 4 years from Date of injury, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C).
Can I still sue after 4 years in Wyoming?
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 Wyoming?
Yes. Wyoming recognizes the discovery rule for latent injuries — clock may begin when plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered the injury; courts apply this exception when injury was inherently undiscoverable through reasonable diligence
What if the victim was a minor?
Wyoming 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?
Wyoming Governmental Claims Act requires written notice of claim filed with the relevant government entity within two years of injury (Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-113); claimant must then file suit within one year after the claim is denied or deemed denied
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Sources
- Official Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105 — General civil actions limitation (Wyoming Legislature)
- Corroborating Wyoming Personal Injury Laws and Statutes of Limitations — Nolo
- Corroborating Wyoming 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 Wyoming attorney.