Dog Bite Liability in Utah
Whether a dog owner in Utah is automatically liable for a bite, and the deadline to file a claim.
Short answer: Strict liability statute. A person who owns or keeps a dog is liable for an injury caused by the dog, whether or not the dog is vicious and whether or not the owner knew it was. Utah Code § 18-1-1
| Dog bites | Strict liability statute. A person who owns or keeps a dog is liable for an injury caused by the dog, whether or not the dog is vicious and whether or not the owner knew it was. Damages are determined under Utah's comparative negligence law. Exceptions include certified police dogs used properly in law enforcement, and injuries to a trespasser (in violation of the criminal trespass law) or another animal on the owner's private property while the dog is reasonably secured in a fence or enclosure. Source: Utah Code § 18-1-1 |
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| Deadline to sue for an injury | Utah's statutes do not list a specific deadline for ordinary negligence personal injury claims. They fall under the four-year limit for relief "not otherwise provided for by law." Claims against the state, a political subdivision, or their employees for injury to personal rights have a two-year limit. Applying the four-year catch-all to personal injury claims follows from the statute's text; |
More Utah personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Utah
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Utah
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Utah
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- Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries in Utah
- Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in Utah
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Utah
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Utah
- Bicycle Accident Claims in Utah
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Utah
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FAQ
Is a dog owner liable for a dog bite in Utah?
Strict liability statute. A person who owns or keeps a dog is liable for an injury caused by the dog, whether or not the dog is vicious and whether or not the owner knew it was. Damages are determined under Utah's comparative negligence law. Exceptions include certified police dogs used properly in law enforcement, and injuries to a trespasser (in violation of the criminal trespass law) or another animal on the owner's private property while the dog is reasonably secured in a fence or enclosure.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Utah?
Utah's statutes do not list a specific deadline for ordinary negligence personal injury claims. They fall under the four-year limit for relief "not otherwise provided for by law." Claims against the state, a political subdivision, or their employees for injury to personal rights have a two-year limit.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.