Wisconsin § 895.01 - What actions survive; actions not to abate.
Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 895.01 — What actions survive; actions not to abate., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 895.01. What actions survive; actions not to abate.
895.01(1) (1) 895.01(1)(am) (am) In addition to the causes of action that survive at common law, all of the following also survive: 895.01(1)(am)1. 1. Causes of action to determine paternity. 895.01(1)(am)2. 2. Causes of action for the recovery of personal property or the unlawful withholding or conversion of personal property. 895.01(1)(am)3. 3. Causes of action for the recovery of the possession of real estate and for the unlawful withholding of the possession of real estate. 895.01(1)(am)4. 4. Causes of action for assault and battery. 895.01(1)(am)5. 5. Causes of action for false imprisonment. 895.01(1)(am)6. 6. Causes of action for invasion of privacy. 895.01(1)(am)7. 7. Causes of action for a violation of s. 968.31 (2m) or other damage to the person. 895.01(1)(am)8. 8. Causes of action for all damage done to the property rights or interests of another. 895.01(1)(am)9. 9. Causes of action for goods taken and carried away. 895.01(1)(am)10. 10. Causes of action for damages done to real or personal estate. 895.01(1)(am)11. 11. Equitable actions to set aside conveyances of real estate. 895.01(1)(am)12. 12. Equitable actions to compel a reconveyance of real estate. 895.01(1)(am)13. 13. Equitable actions to quiet the title to real estate. 895.01(1)(am)14. 14. Equitable actions for specific performance of contracts relating to real estate. 895.01(1)(bm) (bm) Causes of action for wrongful death shall survive the death of the wrongdoer whether or not the death of the wrongdoer occurred before or after the death of the injured person. 895.01(2) (2) An action does not abate by the occurrence of any event if the cause of action survives or continues. 895.01 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 760 (1975), 771; 1977 c. 176 ; 1987 a. 399 ; 1993 a. 481 ; 1999 a. 85 ; 2007 a. 101 . 895.01 Annotation Punitive damages incident to damages for the pain and suffering of a decedent may be awarded to the estate. Wangen v. Ford Motor Co., 97 Wis. 2d 260 , 294 N.W.2d 437 (1980). 895.01 Annotation A paternity action may not be brought against a deceased putative father. N.L.B. v. G.B., 140 Wis. 2d 400 , 411 N.W.2d 144 (Ct. App. 1987). 895.01 Annotation A claim for loss of enjoyment of life caused by professional negligence of mental health professionals survived the death of the alleged victim. Sawyer v. Midelfort, 227 Wis. 2d 124 , 595 N.W.2d 423 (1999), 97-1969 . 895.01 Annotation A survival claim accrues when, with reasonable diligence, the decedent should have discovered the claim, but no later than the date of death. Estate of Merrill v. Jerrick, 231 Wis. 2d 546 , 605 N.W.2d 645 (Ct. App. 1999), 99-0787 . 895.01 Annotation Parents of minor children have separate claims for pre-death and post-death loss of society and companionship, and damages are not capped by the wrongful-death limit. Estate of Hegarty v. Beauchaine, 2006 WI App 248 , 297 Wis. 2d 70 , 727 N.W.2d 857 , 04-3252 . 895.01 Annotation Under sub. (1) (o) [now sub. (1) (bm)] and s. 895.04 (2), a wrongful death claim does not survive the death of the claimant. Lornson v. Siddiqui, 2007 WI 92 , 302 Wis. 2d 519 , 735 N.W.2d 55 , 05-2315 . 895.01 Annotation Survival claims accrue on the date the injury is discovered or with reasonable diligence should be discovered by either the decedent or an appropriate third party, often the decedent’s personal representative, whichever occurs first. Christ v. Exxon Mobil Corp., 2015 WI 58 , 362 Wis. 2d 668 , 866 N.W.2d 602 , 12-1493 . 895.01 Annotation Actions under ss. 551.41 and 551.59 survive the death of the wrongdoer. Continental Assurance Co. v. American Bankshares Corp., 483 F. Supp. 175 (1980).
Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 895.01
What does Wisconsin Statutes § 895.01 cover?
Section 895.01 ("What actions survive; actions not to abate.") is part of the Wisconsin Statutes, the codified statutory law of Wisconsin. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Wisconsin § 895.01?
A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 895.01" (Wisconsin). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Wisconsin law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Wisconsin official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
How does Wisconsin § 895.01 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Wisconsin can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.