1. Cannon & Dunphy S.C.
Focus Area: Serious personal injury and complex litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, premises liability, nursing home abuse
Background: Representing wrongly injured people since 1985. Over the past 35+ years, the firm has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for clients. The attorneys are experienced trial lawyers with extensive courtroom experience. The firm handles cases throughout the state of Wisconsin from their Milwaukee area office.
Location: Brookfield, Wisconsin (serving greater Milwaukee)
Contact: (262) 782-2700 | https://www.cannon-dunphy.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless case is won)
2. Gruber Law Offices LLC
Focus Area: Serious personal injury and vehicular accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, construction accidents
Background: Founded by Attorney David Gruber, who has made a positive community impact for four decades. Family-owned and operated by David Gruber, Nancy Gruber, and Steven Gruber. Staff of over 130 professionals. Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Recent results include a $10.24 million truck crash settlement and a $4.865 million jury verdict in Milwaukee County.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Contact: (414) 276-6666 | https://www.gruber-law.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, no fee until case is won
3. Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
Focus Area: Personal injury with emphasis on auto and motorcycle accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and fall, wrongful death
Background: Named “Best Personal Injury Law Firm” in the Wisconsin Law Journal Reader Rankings Awards four consecutive years. The firm consists of over 25 attorneys and nearly 200 support staff. Has 11 office locations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Location: 111 E. Kilbourn Ave., Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Contact: (414) 223-4800 | https://www.hupy.com/
Consultation: Available 24/7/365, free property damage claim assistance
4. Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.
Focus Area: Personal injury trial advocacy
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, nursing home abuse and neglect, electrical and fire injuries, construction accidents, wrongful death
Background: Over nine decades of experience representing injury victims throughout Wisconsin. The firm has 13 locations across the state. Downtown Milwaukee office located in the US Bank Building on East Wisconsin Avenue, near Interstate 794 and approximately one mile north of Summerfest grounds.
Location: 411 E. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Contact: (414) 271-0900 | https://www.habush.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, no fee unless case is won
5. Warshafsky Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal injury and accident representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle crashes, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability
Background: Six decades of extensive knowledge and legal experience in Wisconsin. Based in Milwaukee, the firm handles cases throughout Milwaukee, Waukesha, and southeast Wisconsin. The attorneys have won millions of dollars for clients through consistent case victories.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Contact: (414) 276-4970 | https://www.warshafsky.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, no fee until winning the case
Personal Injury Laws in Wisconsin
Statute of Limitations: Wisconsin provides three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under Wis. Stat. § 893.54. Medical malpractice claims have a separate deadline: within three years of the malpractice or one year from discovery, whichever is later, with an absolute cap of five years from the incident. For minors, the three-year period begins when they reach age 18.
Negligence Rule: Wisconsin follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. An injured party can recover damages as long as their percentage of fault is 50% or less. If found 51% or more at fault, the injured party cannot recover any compensation. When partial fault is assigned, the compensation is reduced proportionally. For example, if damages total $100,000 and the injured party is 30% at fault, they would recover $70,000.
Damage Caps: Wisconsin does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, allowing juries to determine appropriate compensation based on case specifics. However, specific caps apply in certain situations: medical malpractice non-economic damages are capped at $750,000; wrongful death damages for loss of society and companionship are capped at $350,000 for adults and $500,000 for minors; claims against state employees are capped at $250,000; claims against local governments are capped at $50,000. Punitive damages are limited to $200,000 or twice compensatory damages, whichever is greater.
Auto Insurance Requirements: Wisconsin is an at-fault state. Required minimum liability coverage is 25/50/10: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for total bodily injuries, and $10,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is mandatory at 25/50 limits. Insurers must offer underinsured motorist and medical payments coverage, but these can be rejected in writing. Approximately 13.3% of Wisconsin drivers are uninsured.
Government Claims: Claims against Wisconsin state employees require written notice to the Attorney General within 120 days of the incident. Claims against political subdivisions also require written notice within 120 days and must be itemized. These procedural requirements are strictly enforced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Wisconsin’s 51% bar rule differ from other comparative negligence states, and how might it affect my Milwaukee accident claim?
A: Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence rule has a 51% threshold, meaning you can recover compensation as long as you are no more than 50% responsible for the accident. Some neighboring states use a 50% bar (where being exactly 50% at fault eliminates recovery) or pure comparative negligence (where you can recover even at 99% fault). In Milwaukee accident cases, insurance adjusters often attempt to attribute fault to the injured party. Having clear documentation and witness statements is crucial to counter these arguments.
Q: What happens if the at-fault driver in my Wisconsin accident has only minimum insurance coverage?
A: Wisconsin’s minimum liability limits are 25/50/10, which may be insufficient for serious injuries. If your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, you can pursue a claim against your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage if you purchased it. Wisconsin insurers are required to offer UIM coverage, though it is optional. Given the high cost of medical care and the possibility of encountering underinsured drivers, carrying higher UIM limits provides important financial protection.
Q: What are the notice requirements for filing a personal injury claim against a government entity in Milwaukee or Wisconsin?
A: Claims against Wisconsin state employees, officers, or agents require written notice to the Attorney General within 120 days of the injury. Claims against cities, counties, or other political subdivisions require written notice within 120 days that includes the circumstances of the claim. Failure to provide proper notice within these strict timeframes can result in loss of the right to sue. Given Milwaukee’s status as a major city with numerous government operations, these requirements frequently apply to accident claims.
Q: Why does Wisconsin have different damage caps for medical malpractice compared to other personal injury cases?
A: Wisconsin’s legislature established a $750,000 cap on non-economic damages specifically for medical malpractice claims, while leaving most other personal injury cases uncapped. This cap has been upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The cap applies per occurrence regardless of the number of defendants. Economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages are not subject to any cap in either medical malpractice or general personal injury cases.
Q: What should I do immediately after a car accident in Milwaukee to protect my personal injury claim?
A: After ensuring safety and seeking medical attention, document the accident scene with photographs, obtain contact information from witnesses, and request a copy of the police report. Do not provide recorded statements to the at-fault driver’s insurance company without legal consultation. Wisconsin allows injured parties to directly name and sue the at-fault driver’s insurance company in lawsuits, which is not permitted in many other states. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve evidence and ensure compliance with the three-year statute of limitations.