Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Tennessee
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
1 year
from date of bite/injury, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104.
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If you're researching dog bite injury claims in Tennessee, the single most important number is 1 year. That's how long Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104 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.
Tennessee Deadlines for Related Claims
When the Clock Starts
In Tennessee, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Tennessee 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.
Tennessee enacted strict liability for dog bites under § 44-8-413 (effective 2007), making owners liable regardless of prior bite history. The 1-year personal injury SOL under § 28-3-104 is among the shortest in the US.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104, official Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 1 year | Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104 |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | KRS § 258.235(4) |
| Virginia | 2 yrs | Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6540; SOL: § 8.01-243 |
| North Carolina | 3 yrs | N.C.G.S. § 1-52(16) |
| Georgia | 2 yrs | O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7 (vicious animal liability); SOL: O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 |
| Alabama | 2 yrs | Ala. Code § 3-6-1 (dog bite liability); SOL: Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l) |
| Mississippi | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Arkansas | 3 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 (3-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Tennessee?
You have 1 year from date of bite/injury, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104.
Can I still sue after 1 years in Tennessee?
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?
Tennessee 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 Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413 - Justia
- Corroborating Tennessee Dog-Bite Laws - Nolo
- Corroborating Tennessee Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Lawsuits - LRW 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 Tennessee attorney.