Purpose

• The statute of limitations on dog bites helps the courts and victims.dog image by Vaida from Fotolia.com
  
  The California statute of limitations for dog bites exists to ease the workload for California courts, since not everyone files a claim in a reasonable amount of time.
  
  

Time Frame

• Residents have 60 days to file a claim in some circumstances.60 limit - road sign image by Soja Andrzej from Fotolia.com
  
  California residents have two years to file a claim against a dog owner in the event of a dog bite. They only have 60 days to file a claim if a government employee is liable for the bite.
  
  

Age

• Minors have a longer time to file a claim.minority boy playing baseball image by pixelcarpenter from Fotolia.com
  
  California residents 18 or younger have until the age of 20 to file a lawsuit in the event of a dog bite. Anyone under the age of 5 cannot be held liable for provoking a dog attack in California.
  
  

Damage

• Damages for a dog bite cannot exceed $7,500 in small claims court.cash image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
  
  California residents who sue a dog owner over a dog bite might be awarded an amount based on the type of court they attend. Those who sue in small claims court can only receive a maximum of $7,500 in damages.
  
  

Laws

• Dog owners are not liable if you break the law.no trespassing image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
  
  California residents who are bitten while breaking a law, such as trespassing, do not have the legal right to sue. Dog owners are not liable if the victim provokes the dog and receives a bite in the process.