Wisconsin caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases at $750,000 (Wis. Stat. § 893.55 and related provisions). Economic damages — medical bills, lost earnings, future care — are generally not capped, but pain-and-suffering recovery is limited.
Medical Malpractice Caps
This makes documenting economic losses critical in malpractice cases, since that's where much of the value lies.
Wrongful Death Caps
Wisconsin's wrongful death statute (Wis. Stat. § 895.03) caps loss-of-society-and-companionship damages at $500,000 for a deceased minor and $350,000 for an adult. These limits apply to the intangible loss of a loved one's companionship, not to economic losses the family suffers.
Government and Other Limits
Claims against a Wisconsin governmental body require written notice of injury within 120 days (Wis. Stat. § 893.80), with damages against most municipalities capped at $50,000. Most other injury cases — car crashes, slip-and-falls, dog bites between private parties — have no statutory cap on compensatory damages.
Understanding which caps apply shapes case strategy from day one, which is why early legal advice matters.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Injury Claim Team is a free attorney-matching service, not a law firm. For advice about your specific situation, talk to a licensed Wisconsin attorney — we'll connect you at no cost.