Minnesota law

Wrongful Death Laws in Minnesota.

Minnesota recognizes a wrongful-death claim when a death is caused by another party’s wrongful act or omission. These cases often require families and court-appointed trustees to evaluate liability, damages, and probate coordination together at the very start.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

3 years from date of deathMinn. Stat. § 573.02

Minnesota wrongful-death actions generally must be commenced within 3 years after the date of death.

State law

Fault & Liability Rules

Modified Comparative Fault (51% Bar)Minn. Stat. § 604.01

Minnesota’s comparative-fault rules still matter in wrongful-death litigation when negligence and shared-fault arguments are in dispute.

State law

Filing Requirements

Appointment of TrusteeMinn. Stat. § 573.02

Minnesota wrongful-death claims are generally brought by a court-appointed trustee on behalf of the next of kin, so appointment issues should be addressed early.

State law

Key Minnesota Statutes

Wrongful Death by TrusteeMinn. Stat. § 573.02

Minnesota’s wrongful-death statute governs who may bring the claim, the time limit, and the categories of damages that may be recovered on behalf of the surviving next of kin.

State law

Official Sources

Minnesota Revisor of Statutes Minnesota Judicial Branch

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.

Next step

Move from state law into guided help or attorney search.

If you want help applying this information to your situation, start with guided help or browse attorneys for this issue in Minnesota.

Get guided help Browse Wrongful Death attorneys

Minnesota

County-by-County Wrongful Death Guides

View courthouse information, legal aid organizations, and local resources for wrongful death cases in specific Minnesota counties.

Browse Minnesota county guides

Wrongful Death Laws in Minnesota.

Statute of Limitations

Fault & Liability Rules

Filing Requirements

Key Minnesota Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

Move from state law into guided help or attorney search.

County-by-County Wrongful Death Guides

Other state law topics.