Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Indiana
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from date of bite/injury, under Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3.
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Under Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3, you have 2 years from date of bite/injury to file a dog bite lawsuit in Indiana. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Indiana-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Indiana Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4(a) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-18-7-1 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Indiana Code § 34-23-1-1 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4(a)(1) |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 |
| Breach of Contract | 10 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-11 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9 |
When the Clock Starts
In Indiana, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Indiana 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.
Indiana imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites under IC § 15-20-1-3 regardless of prior viciousness. The 2-year general personal injury SOL under IC § 34-11-2-4 applies to all dog bite claims.
Source: Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3, official Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 2 years | Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 |
| Illinois | 2 yrs | 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | KRS § 258.235(4) |
| Ohio | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Michigan | 3 yrs | MCL § 287.351 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Indiana?
You have 2 years from date of bite/injury, under Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Indiana?
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?
Indiana 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.
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Sources
- Official Indiana Code § 15-20-1-3 - Dog Bite Strict Liability
- Corroborating Justia - Indiana Code § 15-20-1-3
- Corroborating Nolo - Indiana 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 Indiana attorney.