Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Do you need a lawyer in your dog bite case?

Having an attorney on your side can be highly beneficial, even if it is not required by law. Keep in mind that the dog's owner is likely to be represented by an attorney. In addition, their insurance carrier will employ a lawyer whose primary responsibility is to fight your claim.


With a dedicated and experienced California dog bite attorney on your side, you will have a specialist who will fight for your rights; ensuring you win the maximum damages award for you or your loved one.

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What to do after a dog attack:

  • Take pictures to support your claim.
  • Make a list of the people (including their names and contacts) who witnessed the incident and the dogs involved in the attack.
  • Notify the relevant authorities about the attack
  • Avoid admitting fault or accepting cash settlements; doing so could jeopardize your case.

California’s dog bite liability laws:

California has the highest rate of dog bite claims in the United States. On average, the cost per claim is $45,543. In California, it is the dog owner's responsibility to ensure that you are not attacked or bitten by their dog. To minimize injuries, a dog owner must ensure their pet is properly socialized and trained. This includes keeping the dog's vaccination up to date and ensuring the dog is always restrained securely.


According to Civil Code section 3342, California follows strict liability law. The law requires dog owners to compensate injured victims for damages caused by their unruly or dangerous dogs, whether the dog bite occurs in a private residence or a public place, such as a public park or a city sidewalk.


Furthermore, the law doesn't require the dog owner to be aware that their animal was violent or dangerous. This means the owner is liable even if the incident was the dog's first bite.


This contrasts with the "one bite rule," that is in existence in some other jurisdictions—here, the dog owner is only liable if the animal has previously bitten someone or exhibited violent tendencies.

Establishing culpability in dog bite cases:

To prove the validity of your dog bite claim, you must demonstrate the following:

  • The respondent was the dog's owner;
  • You were lawfully on public property or private property at the time of the bite, and
  • You were bitten by the dog and sustained injuries.

Dog owners are both civilly and criminally liable.

A dog owner or anyone responsible for it may also face criminal penalties if the dog causes injuries to someone while roaming free. However, for criminal charges to hold any water, the dog owner or keeper must have been aware of the dog's propensity for "mischievous" behavior yet failed to rein it in.


If the bite causes death, the offense is a felony. However, if the victim is just harmed, the crime is either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the case. Even if law enforcement officers choose not to press criminal charges in connection with a dog bite, the law allows a victim to sue for civil damages.

You can receive compensation for your damages.

Generally, the sooner you get medical attention for your injuries, the less severe injuries you may sustain in the long run. Important to remember is that seeking treatment is a great way to document your losses. A reputable dog bite lawyer can help you seek compensation for your damages, such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of income
  • Past and future medical bills
  • Altered daily life (due to disfigurement or PTSD)
  • Lowered earning ability
  • Exemplary or punitive damages
  • Long term medical care
  • Wrongful death

No matter how trivial they may seem, dog bite injuries can have long-term and even chronic consequences for the victim. For instance, if you ignore a dog bite bruise, you run the risk of long-term, even permanent, nerve damage.


Contact us if you are a victim of dog attack. We’ll ensure you're reimbursed and adequately compensated for any developments resulting from the dog attack.

Dog bites are among the most common types of injury.

Every year, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs. Dog bites account for 85 percent to 90 percent of all animal bites in the U. S.   According to the CDC, dog bites cause roughly 800,000 injuries each year that require medical attention. These injuries can include:

  • Nerve damage
  • Lacerations
  • Tetanus
  • Puncture Wounds
  • Scarring
  • Infections
  • Rabies
  • Cellulitis
  • Disfigurement
  • Face and throat injuries
  • Amputations
  • Psychological issues that last for a long time, such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

How much time do I have to file a personal injury claim?

California's statute of limitations is two years. As a result, the plaintiff must sue or file a settlement claim within two years of the harm occurring Cal. Civ. Proc. Code 335.1 (This time limit may be extended in some isolated instances).

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What is the value of your dog bite Injury?

Dog bite cases may be worth a lot of money. In 2021, for example, the average dog bite claims compensation was almost $50,400.  A dog bite compensation may reach $100,000 if the victim has severe scars, dismemberment, or deformity or if the dog bites a child. In recent years, multi-million-dollar settlements have been awarded for severe dog bite attacks:


  • In 2013, a 120-pound Bullmastiff assault in Illinois resulted in a $1.1 million compensation. The animal escaped chain-link fence confinement and bit a 15-year-old kid, injuring him severely. Injury and long-term trauma insurance paid $1.125 million as compensation.
  • In 2015, a Georgia court awarded $36 million to an eight-year-old girl badly wounded by a group of dogs. The girl's injuries were so severe that one of her arms had to be amputated. The dogs’ owner was sued for reckless behavior, violating dangerous dog regulations, and failing to vaccinate them for rabies. The dog owner was also fined $36 million and imprisoned for Sixteen months.
  • In 2021, a San Luis Obispo County jury awarded $ 20 million ($7 million to a family who had lost a parent and $13.8 million to their neighbor) after a dog attack.
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