Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Oregon
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of bite/injury, under ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1).
Advertisement
If you're researching dog bite injury claims in Oregon, the single most important number is 2 years. That's how long ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1) gives you to file a dog bite lawsuit, counted from Date of bite/injury. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Oregon Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | ORS 12.110(4) |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | ORS § 30.020 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1) |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.110(1) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | ORS 12.120(2) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | ORS 12.080(1) |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.080(1) |
When the Clock Starts
In Oregon, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of bite/injury. Oregon does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
Advertisement
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 under ORS 30.275 for claims against public bodies
Oregon ORS 31.360 (enacted 2009) imposes strict liability on dog owners for physical injury or death caused by the dog when the victim is in a public place or lawfully on private property; non-economic damages may be limited if the victim was contributorily at fault. The 2-year personal injury SOL under ORS 12.110(1) applies.
Source: ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1), official Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 2 years | ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1) |
| Washington | 3 yrs | RCW § 16.08.040; SOL: RCW § 4.16.080 |
| Idaho | 2 yrs | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | NRS 11.190(4)(e) |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Oregon?
You have 2 years from Date of bite/injury, under ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1).
Can I still sue after 2 years in Oregon?
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?
Oregon 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 under ORS 30.275 for claims against public bodies
Advertisement
Sources
- Official Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 31 - ORS 31.360 Liability of dog owner
- Corroborating Justia - ORS § 31.360
- Corroborating Oregon Dog Bite Laws - Nolo
- 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 Oregon attorney.