You got rear-ended on I-80 near Cheyenne over a year ago, and your neck is still sore. And it turns out the repair shop didn’t replace the bumper properly. Could you have a case for damages against the other driver or the auto shop? And even if you do, is there a deadline for filing your case in court? This is a quick introduction to civil statutes of limitations in Wyoming.
Civil Statutes of Limitations
Every state has statutes of limitations which set a timeline for filing lawsuits and other civil actions. Wyoming's statute of limitations laws range from one to five years depending on the type of case. The proverbial “statutory clock†starts ticking on either the date of the incident or the discovery of the harm.
Statutes of Limitations in Wyoming
Civil statutes of limitations in Wyoming and are highlighted in the chart below.
| Injury to Person | 4 yrs. §1-3-105(a)(v), (B) |
| Libel/Slander | 1 yr. §1-3-105(a)(v)(A) |
| Fraud | 4 yrs. §1-3-105(a)(iv)(D) |
| Injury to Personal Property | 4 yrs. §1-3-105(a)(iv)(B) |
| Professional Malpractice | - |
| Trespass | 4 yrs. §1-3-105(a)(iv)(A) |
| Collection of Rents | - |
| Contracts | Written: 10 yrs. §1-3-105(a)(i); Oral: 8 yrs. §1-3-105(a)(ii)(A) |
| Collection of Debt on Account | 5 yrs. §1-3-105(a)(iii) |
| Judgments | 5 yrs. foreign judgment §1-3-105(a)(iii) |
The idea behind statute of limitations laws is to create general fairness and practicability when filing lawsuits so that someone doesn’t have an unfinished legal matter hanging over head indefinitely. The injured party, on the other hand, is given a limited amount of time to decide whether or not to file a legal claim in order to recover damages. Therefore, statutes of limitations are the legal system’s attempt to create a distinct deadline for each legal conflict so that each party involved can plan accordingly.
Related Resources for Wyoming Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
Being aware of the legal limits on filing lawsuits can be difficult. If you would like legal assistance with a possible lawsuit or statute of limitations matter, you can contact Wyoming personal injury attorney. You can also visit FindLaw’s statute of limitations section for more articles and resources on this topic.
Contact a Lawyer to Learn More About Wyoming Civil Statute of Limitations Laws
If you want to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation allowable by law, you'll want to file your case on time and in the right court. Contact a litigation attorney in Wyoming today to get help meeting your filing deadline and to get answers to the important questions you have about your case.
