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Wisconsin · head & brain

Head & brain settlements
in Wisconsin.

By 6 min read

Wisconsin applies modified-51 comparative fault with a $750,000 medical-malpractice non-economic damages cap. For head & brain claims specifically, the band is built from the state-by-state tort law · jury verdict reporters · statutory caps framework and then adjusted for Wisconsin's modified comparative — 51% bar and any applicable statutory cap.

Wisconsin applies modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. A head & brain claimant who is 50% at fault still recovers 50% of damages; one assigned 51% recovers nothing. This is slightly more claimant-friendly than the 50% bar applied in some neighbouring states, and it leaves room for negotiation in mixed-liability head & brain cases where the comparative-fault split is close to even.

Head injury and traumatic brain injury claims sit at the upper end of the US band and are most affected by statutory caps. Wisconsin's caps (medical malpractice non-econ cap) can compress catastrophic head & brain verdicts even where the underlying damages — future care, lost earning capacity, life-care plan costs — clearly justify the higher figure.

band · US federal frame
$500,000 – multi-million
Severe traumatic brain injury
Catastrophic-case reported decisions

The US band is the starting point. Wisconsin's fault rule and any applicable cap then adjust the figure.

WI · statute of limitations
3 years from date of injury

Wis. Stat. § 893.54

WI · fault rule
Modified comparative — 51% bar

Modified comparative — recovery barred at 51% claimant fault.

WI · caps

What caps recovery.

Statutory caps that may bear on a head & brain settlement in Wisconsin.

head & brain severity tiers · US frame

How the band stratifies.

The state-by-state tort law · jury verdict reporters · statutory caps stratifies head & brain into the tiers below. Wisconsin courts apply the same tier structure, adjusted for state-specific factors.

Severity tierBandBasis
Concussion / mild TBI$25,000 – $100,000Reported decisions
Severe traumatic brain injury$500,000 – multi-millionCatastrophic-case reported decisions
head & brain · same region & fault regime

Compare to like jurisdictions.

How Wisconsin's fault rule and limitation period compare to jurisdictions in the same US region and to those running the same fault rule for head & brain claims.

JurisdictionFault ruleLimitationHead & brain page
Wisconsin · you are hereModified comparative — 51% bar3 years from date of injury
IllinoisModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryIL · head & brain
IndianaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryIN · head & brain
IowaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryIA · head & brain
KansasModified comparative — 50% bar2 years from date of injuryKS · head & brain
MichiganModified comparative — 51% bar3 years from date of injuryMI · head & brain
MinnesotaModified comparative — 51% bar6 years for personal injury (uncommonly long); 4 years for medical malpracticeMN · head & brain
WyomingModified comparative — 51% bar4 years from date of injuryWY · head & brain
ConnecticutModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryCT · head & brain
DelawareModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injuryDE · head & brain
FloridaModified comparative — 51% bar2 years from date of injury (was 4; reduced by HB 837)FL · head & brain
AlabamaPure contributory negligence2 years from date of injuryAL · head & brain
AlaskaPure comparative negligence2 years from date of injury or discoveryAK · head & brain
WI · head & brain · frequently asked

Common questions.

Each answer is independently coherent and references the relevant statute or authority document.

editorial note

Figures on this page are starting points: the US band adjusted for Wisconsin's statutory framework. They are not quotes for any specific case. For representation, consult an attorney admitted in Wisconsin. See /methodology, /sources, and /disclaimer.