What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Texas?
In Texas, a person injured by a dog bite or other personal injury has two years from the date of injury to file a civil lawsuit, or the claim is forever barred.
Texas law sets a two-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, whether the claim arises from a dog bite, slip-and-fall, or other bodily harm. This deadline, codified in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003, begins on the date the injury occurs. Once two years pass without filing suit, a person loses the right to pursue damages in court, and the claim becomes unenforceable.
The statute of limitations exists to protect defendants from stale claims and to ensure disputes are resolved while evidence and witness memories remain fresh. For dog bite injuries, the clock starts when the dog makes contact that causes injury. Settling a claim with the dog owner's insurance company before the deadline does not extend the filing period, so it is critical to understand when the two-year window expires.
A key exception applies to minors. If a child is bitten or injured, the statute does not begin to run until the child turns 18 years old. This tolling provision gives guardians additional time to pursue a claim on a minor's behalf. An adult injured by a dog bite should consult a dog bite lawyer well before the two-year mark to ensure all deadlines are met and legal options are preserved.