Dog Bite Injuries Across California
California Dog Bite Attorney for Bite Victims and Families
California holds dog owners strictly liable for bites. If you or your child was bitten, Legal Defenders deals with the owner’s insurer, documents your injuries and pursues the compensation the law allows, so you can focus on healing.
Track record figures describe the firm’s history as a whole. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Los Angeles & California
Why Talk to a California Dog Bite Attorney
A California dog bite attorney helps people who were bitten by someone else’s dog recover the cost of their injuries from the owner, usually through the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. Dog bites can cause deep puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage and permanent scarring, and the most serious attacks often involve children.
Our dog bite attorneys at Legal Defenders represent bite victims throughout Los Angeles County, including Pasadena, Glendale, Torrance, Lakewood, Alhambra and Beverly Hills, and across California from offices in Sherman Oaks, Glendale, Beverly Hills, Irvine and Visalia.
On this page: California dog bite law · What to do after a bite · Damages · How a claim works · FAQ
Most dogs are friendly family pets. When one does bite, the law does not ask you to prove the owner was careless, which is why these claims are often more straightforward than other injury cases, as long as the facts are documented early.
Owner Responsibility
California Is a Strict Liability State for Dog Bites
What the statute requires
Under California Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is liable when the dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property, including the owner’s own property. You generally need to show two things:
- You were in a public place or lawfully on private property when the bite happened
- The bite caused you injury
It does not matter whether the dog had bitten anyone before or whether the owner knew it could be aggressive. A first bite counts.
Limits and other legal theories
The statute has narrow exceptions, for example certain bites by police or military dogs while working. It also covers bites only. If a dog knocked you down or caused a crash without biting, a claim may still be possible under general negligence, a local leash law or the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s behavior.
Owners and insurers sometimes argue that the injured person provoked the dog or was trespassing. A dog bite lawyer gathers the facts that answer those defenses.
First Steps
What to Do After a Dog Bite in California
1. Get medical care right away
Even small punctures can become infected. Seeing a doctor also creates the medical record your claim will rely on, and it lets the doctor address rabies and tetanus risks.
2. Identify the dog and its owner
Get the owner’s name, address and phone number, and ask about the dog’s rabies vaccination. California law requires the person in control of a dog that bites someone to share this information.
3. Report the bite
Report the bite to local animal control. The report documents the incident and can show whether the dog has a history of prior bites.
4. Photograph your injuries and the scene
Take photos of the wounds on the day of the bite and as they heal, plus the location, any broken fence or gate, and torn clothing.
5. Collect witness details
Neighbors, delivery drivers and passersby often see what happened. Their names and phone numbers can be important later.
6. Talk to a lawyer before the insurer
The owner’s insurer may call quickly and ask for a recorded statement. Speak with a dog bite attorney first so a casual comment is not used to reduce your claim.
Compensation
Damages You May Recover After a Dog Bite
What you can recover depends on your injuries and the facts of the bite. A California dog bite attorney can seek compensation for:
Medical care
Emergency treatment, wound care, antibiotics, follow-up visits and any hospital stay.
Scar revision and reconstruction
Plastic or reconstructive surgery for scarring and disfigurement, including future procedures a doctor recommends.
Counseling
Treatment for anxiety, nightmares or fear of dogs, which is common after an attack, especially for children.
Lost income
Wages lost while you recover, and reduced earning capacity if an injury affects your work long term.
Pain and suffering
The physical pain and emotional distress caused by the bite and the recovery.
Who usually pays
Homeowners and renters policies often cover dog bites, so recovery does not usually depend on the owner’s personal finances.
What to Expect
How a Dog Bite Claim Works With Our Firm
1. Free case review
You tell a dog bite attorney what happened and what treatment you have had. We explain whether the strict liability statute applies and what your options are.
2. Investigation
We gather the animal control report, medical records, photos, witness statements and any history of prior bites, and we identify the owner’s insurance.
3. Claim and negotiation
Once your treatment is far enough along to understand your losses, your dog bite lawyer presents the claim to the insurer and negotiates. We give you clear advice on any offer.
4. Lawsuit if needed
Many dog bite claims settle. If the insurer disputes the claim or makes an unfair offer, we can file a lawsuit and prepare the case for court.
Fees
What It Costs to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer
Your first consultation is free and there is no obligation to hire us. Our dog bite lawyers handle cases on contingency: there is no fee unless we win, and you owe nothing up front.
Fees and case costs are explained in plain language and put in a written agreement before representation begins.
Legal Defenders brings more than 20 years of fighting for the injured, 20,000+ cases won and settled, and a 99% success rate. These figures describe the firm’s history as a whole, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any particular case.
FAQ
California Dog Bite Attorney FAQs
Do I need to prove the dog was dangerous before?
No. Under California Civil Code section 3342, the owner is liable for a bite regardless of whether the dog had bitten before or the owner knew it could be aggressive, as long as you were in a public place or lawfully on private property.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in California?
The general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in California is two years from the date of the injury. If a public entity is involved, a written claim usually has to be filed within six months. Exceptions exist, so talk with a lawyer as soon as you can. This is general information, not legal advice.
What if the dog owner is a friend, neighbor or family member?
Many dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance rather than by the owner personally. That can make it easier to seek the care you need without damaging the relationship.
Can a parent bring a claim when a child is bitten?
Yes. A parent or guardian can bring a claim on a child’s behalf with the help of a dog bite lawyer. Children’s cases often focus on scarring, future medical care and emotional effects, and any settlement for a minor generally needs court approval.
What if a dog knocked me down but did not bite me?
The strict liability statute covers bites. Injuries from a knockdown or chase may still be compensable under negligence or a local leash law, depending on the facts.
Can I still recover if the owner says I provoked the dog?
Provocation and trespassing are common defenses, and a dog bite attorney gathers the evidence that answers them. California follows comparative fault, so even when an insurer argues you share some responsibility, your recovery may be reduced rather than barred. The evidence decides how fault is assigned.
This FAQ is general information only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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Car Accidents
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Motorcycle Accidents
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Legal Resources
Answers to common questions about personal injury claims in California.
Schedule a Free
Confidential Dog Bite Case Evaluation
Tell us what happened. We will review your dog bite case at no cost, explain your options in plain language, and tell you honestly whether legal representation makes sense for your situation.
No Fee Unless We Win
There is no cost to find out where you stand. Speak with a California dog bite attorney today.
Call now: (888) 509-2998Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.