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. The notice must describe the circumstances of your injury and be served on the correct government body — get the recipient wrong and the notice may not count.
The Notice Requirement
This is far shorter than the standard three-year deadline and trips up many injured people who assume they have years to act.
Damage Caps on Government Claims
Beyond the deadline, recovery against governmental bodies is limited. Many municipal claims are capped at $50,000, regardless of how severe your injuries are.
These caps make it especially important to identify every potentially responsible party — sometimes a private contractor or another driver shares the blame and is not subject to the cap.
Common Government-Liability Scenarios
Think city bus collisions, crashes with police or public works vehicles, falls on poorly maintained public sidewalks, or injuries at public facilities.
If a public entity may be involved, talk to a lawyer immediately — the 120-day clock does not wait.
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.