Arizona's Dog Bite Deadline Is One Year, Not Two
Arizona gives dog-bite victims one of the strongest claims in the country and one of the shortest windows to bring it. Those two facts together catch people out constantly, because almost everything written about injury deadlines says two years.
The strong claim and the short clock
Arizona's strict-liability dog-bite statute means you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous — the first bite counts, if you were lawfully where you were. But that claim carries a one-year statute of limitations rather than the two years that applies to most injury claims.
Where the "two years" idea comes from
Two years is Arizona's general personal-injury deadline, and a separate negligence-based dog-bite theory may run on it. That theory is harder — it requires showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous — which is exactly why letting the strict-liability year lapse costs so much.
What the year means in practice
Serious bites involve plastic surgery consultations, scar revision, and — for children — treatment staged over months. A year passes while that is still under way. Treat any bite as a one-year case, and get the deadline confirmed early rather than after treatment ends.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Arizona?
One year for the strict-liability claim. A negligence theory may run two years, but the strict-liability claim is usually the stronger one, so the one-year date is the one that matters.
The bite was more than a year ago. Is anything left?
Possibly a negligence-based claim, which is harder to prove and has its own requirements. Have the timeline reviewed rather than assuming it is closed.
This article is general information about Arizona injury law, not legal advice. Every case is different — talk to a lawyer about your situation.
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