Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in New Jersey

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2(a) ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

2 years

from Date of the dog bite injury, under N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2(a).

The deadline to file a dog bite lawsuit in New Jersey is 2 years, set by N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2(a). It starts running on Date of the dog bite injury. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.

New Jersey Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Dog Bite	2 years	N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2(a)
Car Accident	2 yrs	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-2(a)
Credit Card Debt	6 yrs	N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1
Medical Malpractice	2 yrs	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-2
Wrongful Death	2 yrs	N.J. Stat. § 2A:31-3
Personal Injury	2 yrs	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-2(a)
Slip and Fall	2 yrs	N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:14-2
Defamation	1 yr	N.J.S.A. 2A:14-3
Breach of Contract	6 yrs	N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1
Medical Debt	6 yrs	N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-1

When the Clock Starts

In New Jersey, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of the dog bite injury. New Jersey does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.

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: 90-day written Tort Claim Notice required before suing government entities under NJ Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A. § 59:8-8

New Jersey applies strict liability for dog bites under N.J.S.A. § 4:19-16. 2-year SOL under NJSA § 2A:14-2(a).

Source: N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2(a), official New Jersey 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 Jersey 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 Jersey Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
New Jersey	2 years	N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2(a)
New York	3 yrs	CPLR § 214(5)
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

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in New Jersey?

You have 2 years from Date of the dog bite injury, under N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2(a).

Can I still sue after 2 years in New Jersey?

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?

New Jersey 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?

90-day written Tort Claim Notice required before suing government entities under NJ Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A. § 59:8-8

Sources

Official N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2 - NJ Legislature
Corroborating Justia - N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2
Corroborating NJ Dog Bite SOL - Epstein Law Firm
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 Jersey attorney.