Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in California
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of bite/injury, under Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1.
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Under Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1, you have 2 years from Date of bite/injury to file a dog bite lawsuit in California. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several California-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
California Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Credit Card Debt | 4 yrs | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 337(a) |
| Medical Malpractice | 3 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340.5 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 340(c) |
| Breach of Contract | 4 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 |
| Medical Debt | 4 yrs | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337 |
When the Clock Starts
In California, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of bite/injury. California does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Government claim must be filed within 6 months of the incident under Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 before suing any California public entity
California imposes strict liability on dog owners regardless of prior viciousness; the statute covers bites in public places or while lawfully on private property. Minors' SOL is tolled until age 18 under CCP § 352.
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1, official California statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for California government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How California Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2 years | Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Oregon | 2 yrs | ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1) |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | NRS 11.190(4)(e) |
| Arizona | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in California?
You have 2 years from Date of bite/injury, under Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1.
Can I still sue after 2 years in California?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
California generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Government claim must be filed within 6 months of the incident under Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 before suing any California public entity
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Sources
- Official California Civil Code § 3342 - CA Legislature
- Corroborating Justia - Cal. Civ. Code § 3342
- Corroborating Nolo - California Dog Bite Laws
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed California attorney.