Ask a Lawyer - Archive

15 years ago my dog bit a 2 year old on the face. At that time, the parents of the child said it was okay. They took the girl to hospital and she was stitched-up. The girl now is 17 and claims to have abnormal growths on the scar. The dad is asking for my homeowners insurance and getting a lawyer. Is there a statues of limitation or could I be held liable for this 15 years later?

I am a lawyer in Texas, so the law may be different in your state. However, in Texas, minors (a person under the age of 18) are under a "legal disability" for statute of limitations purposes. In other words, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the "legal disability" is removed - usually at age 18 or by marriage. In Texas, the statute of limitations for such a claim would be two years. So, in your fact situation, the minor child could file a lawsuit all the way until age 20.

You should contact an attorney in your state to discuss the matter. Good luck!

Daniel B. Ross
Ross Law Group
Texas personal injury lawyer