Statute of Limitations in Minnesota
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Minnesota? In Minnesota, the statute of limitations is 6 years for personal injury, 6 years for written contracts and 2 years for defamation; most other civil claims fall between 2 and 6 years. Every period below is linked to its official Minnesota statute.
This tool provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Limitation periods depend on discovery rules, tolling, statutes of repose, and the specific facts. Always verify against the cited statute or consult a Minnesota attorney.
Minnesota statute of limitations by claim type
Every Minnesota civil deadline below is quoted from the statute and linked to its official text. Verified 2026-06-12 against the official Minnesota statutes (revisor.mn.gov).
| Claim type | Limitation period | Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 6 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1) | negligence-based; intentional torts (assault, battery, libel/slander) are 2 yrs under § 541.07 |
| Wrongful death | 3 years | Minn. Stat. § 573.02 | 3 yrs from death; 6-year outer limit from the act; no limit if death by murder |
| Written contract | 6 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1) | |
| Oral contract | 6 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1) | |
| Property damage | 6 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1) | |
| Medical malpractice | 4 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.076 | |
| Defamation (libel/slander) | 2 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.07 | |
| Debt collection | 6 years | Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1) |
Enter a date of incident in the lookup above to estimate your exact filing deadline and add a reminder to your calendar.
Minnesota deadlines at a glance
In Minnesota, civil filing deadlines run from 2 years (defamation) to 6 years (personal injury, written contract, oral contract, property damage and debt collection). Its 6 years personal-injury deadline is longer than in most states.
Several Minnesota claims carry specific accrual, discovery, or repose rules worth noting:
- Personal injury (6 years): negligence-based; intentional torts (assault, battery, libel/slander) are 2 yrs under § 541.07 (Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1)).
- Wrongful death (3 years): 3 yrs from death; 6-year outer limit from the act; no limit if death by murder (Minn. Stat. § 573.02).
New to limitation periods? Read what a statute of limitations is: how the clock accrues, the discovery rule, and tolling.
The most-searched Minnesota deadlines
- Personal injury & car accidents: 6 years. Injury claims must be filed within 6 years of the incident (Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1)).
- Debt: 6 years. Most debt is time-barred after 6 years (Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1)). A payment or written acknowledgment can restart the clock, so respond to a collector with a validation or dispute letter. Find a letter template →
- Defamation: 2 years. Libel and slander (Minn. Stat. § 541.07).
- Contracts: 6 years. Written agreements (Minn. Stat. § 541.05(1)).
Count the exact filing date
A limitation period gives you the year; the deadline calculator counts the precise date (answer windows, court days, and holidays included) and exports it to your calendar.
Open the Minnesota deadline calculator →Statute of limitations in other states
Limitation periods differ in every state. Browse the full 50-state lookup, or jump to a nearby state.
Nearby states: Iowa · North Dakota · South Dakota · Wisconsin · California · Texas
Minnesota statute of limitations FAQ
How long do you have to file a lawsuit in Minnesota?
What is the statute of limitations in Minnesota?
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in Minnesota?
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Minnesota?
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Minnesota?
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