Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Maryland
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Md. Code Ann., Courts & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from date of bite/injury, under Md. Code Ann., Courts & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901.
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Under Md. Code Ann., Courts & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901, you have 3 years from date of bite/injury to file a dog bite lawsuit in Maryland. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Maryland-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Maryland Deadlines for Related Claims
When the Clock Starts
In Maryland, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Maryland 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: 180-day written notice required for claims against local governments under Md. Code Ann., Courts & Jud. Proc. § 5-304.
Maryland enacted strict liability for dog bites in 2014 under CJ § 3-1901, eliminating the prior one-bite rule for pit bulls. Maryland applies contributory negligence as a complete bar to recovery; the 3-year SOL under CJ § 5-101 applies.
Source: Md. Code Ann., Courts & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901, official Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 3 years | Md. Code Ann., Courts & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901 |
| Virginia | 2 yrs | Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6540; SOL: § 8.01-243 |
| West Virginia | 2 yrs | W. Va. Code § 19-20-13; SOL: § 55-2-12 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 yrs | 3 Pa.C.S. § 459-502 (Dog Law); SOL: 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2) |
| Delaware | 2 yrs | 10 Del. C. § 8119 (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific strict liability dog bite statute — common law negligence/one-bite rule applies |
| District of Columbia | 3 yrs | D.C. Code § 8-1808 (dangerous animal liability); SOL: D.C. Code § 12-301(8) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Maryland?
You have 3 years from date of bite/injury, under Md. Code Ann., Courts & Jud. Proc. § 3-1901.
Can I still sue after 3 years in Maryland?
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?
Maryland 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?
180-day written notice required for claims against local governments under Md. Code Ann., Courts & Jud. Proc. § 5-304.
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Sources
- Official Maryland CJ § 3-1901 - Dog Bite Strict Liability
- Corroborating Justia - Maryland CJ § 3-1901
- Corroborating Nolo - Maryland 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 Maryland attorney.