How Long After A Dog Bite Can You Claim Injury?

If you’ve been bitten by a dog in California and are considering filing a claim for your injuries, you may wonder: how long after a dog bite can you claim injury?

If you’ve been bitten by a dog in California and are considering filing a claim for your injuries, it’s important to be aware of the time limitations, known as the statute of limitations, within which you can pursue legal action. The statute of limitations sets a deadline for when a lawsuit must be filed. In California, the timeframe for filing a dog bite injury claim is typically as follows:

California’s Two-Year Statute of Limitations For Personal Injury Claims

Generally, in California, adults have two years from the date of the dog bite incident to file a lawsuit for personal injury. This means adult claimant’s must initiate legal action within this two-year period; otherwise, you may lose your right to seek compensation through the court system. It’s essential to consult with our personal injury lawyers as soon as possible after a dog bite to ensure you don’t miss this deadline.

Exceptions to the Two-Year Limitation

While the general rule is a two-year statute of limitations, some exceptions may alter the timeframe for filing a dog bite claim:

Minors: If the dog bite victim is under the age of 18 at the time of the incident, the two-year limitation period may be extended. In such cases, the statute of limitations typically begins to run from the date the minor turns 18, giving them additional time to pursue legal action.

Government Entities: If the dog bite incident involves a government entity or employee, such as a law enforcement officer’s dog bites someone accidentally, there are specific rules and limitations that differ from standard personal injury claims. For personal injury claims involving a government entity or employee, you have only 6 months from the date of the injury to file a formal notice of claim. If your claim is rejected by the government entity, you have only 6 months from the date of the rejection to file a lawsuit. Consulting with our lawyers experienced in dealing with cases against government entities is crucial to understanding the applicable deadlines and requirements.

The Importance of Prompt Action In Dog Bite Claims

While there may be exceptions and specific circumstances that can affect the statute of limitations, it’s generally advisable to take prompt action after a dog bite. Initiating the legal claim and process early allows for a thorough investigation, preservation of evidence, and better chances of a successful outcome. Additionally, waiting until close to the expiration of the statute of limitations may limit your options and put unnecessary pressure on your case.

To ensure you meet all necessary deadlines and protect your rights, it’s highly recommended to consult with our personal injury lawyers as soon as possible after a dog bite incident. They can assess your case, determine the applicable statute of limitations, and guide you through the legal process to seek appropriate compensation for your injuries.

We Offer California Dog Bite Victims A Free Consultation And Work On A Contingency Fee Basis. There Is No Fee Unless We Recover Compensation For You.

We understand that attorney’s fees are a leading cause of victims not seeking the legal representation they desperately need. That’s why we work on our client’s cases on a contingency fee arrangement. Clients pay nothing upfront.

Our legal fees are calculated based on a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. That means that if there is no successful recovery of damages, there is no fee, and you owe us nothing.

We want everyone who has been seriously injured by a dog bite or animal attack to be able to access high-quality legal counsel for their personal injury case, and we have helped countless accident victims recover compensation for their injuries.

Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Read next: What kind of lawyer handles dog bites?

The general information provided on this website should not be considered legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or by contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.