Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in New Hampshire
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: RSA 508:4 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from Date plaintiff discovers or reasonably should discover the injury, under RSA 508:4.
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Under RSA 508:4, you have 3 years from Date plaintiff discovers or reasonably should discover the injury to file a dog bite lawsuit in New Hampshire. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several New Hampshire-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
New Hampshire Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 3 years | RSA 508:4 |
| Car Accident | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4, I |
| Credit Card Debt | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 |
| Medical Malpractice | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | RSA 556:11; RSA 556:12 |
| Personal Injury | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 |
| Slip and Fall | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 508:4 |
| Defamation | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 |
| Breach of Contract | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 |
| Medical Debt | 3 yrs | RSA 508:4 |
When the Clock Starts
In New Hampshire, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date plaintiff discovers or reasonably should discover the injury. New Hampshire recognizes a discovery rule for this claim type: RSA 508:4 has explicit statutory discovery rule; 3-year clock from discovery of injury and causal relationship.
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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: Written notice of claim required within 60 days for claims against governmental units under RSA 507-B:7
- Damage caps: Damages against governmental units capped at $475,000 per person under RSA 507-B:4
New Hampshire strict liability for dog bites under RSA 466:19; trespass/provocation exceptions apply. 3-year SOL under RSA 508:4 with statutory discovery rule.
Source: RSA 508:4, official New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 3 years | RSA 508:4 |
| Maine | 6 yrs | 7 M.R.S. § 3961 |
| Massachusetts | 3 yrs | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| Vermont | 3 yrs | 12 V.S.A. § 512 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in New Hampshire?
You have 3 years from Date plaintiff discovers or reasonably should discover the injury, under RSA 508:4.
Can I still sue after 3 years in New Hampshire?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (the discovery rule, tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
Does the discovery rule apply to dog bite injury claims in New Hampshire?
Yes. RSA 508:4 has explicit statutory discovery rule; 3-year clock from discovery of injury and causal relationship.
What if the victim was a minor?
New Hampshire 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?
Written notice of claim required within 60 days for claims against governmental units under RSA 507-B:7
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Sources
- Official New Hampshire RSA 508:4 - Personal Actions
- Corroborating Justia - NH RSA 508:4
- Corroborating Dog Bite Cases in NH - PMM Lawyers
- 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 New Hampshire attorney.