Dog Bite Attorney in California

Key Rules of California Dog Bite Liability:

• Strict Liability: California’s strict-liability rule applies when the statutory requirements are met, meaning the owner can be liable for the bite even if the dog had never shown aggressive behavior before.
• Location: The bite must occur in a public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property. A person who was unlawfully trespassing generally cannot rely on California’s statutory strict-liability rule.
• Time Limit: A personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the injury.
• Exceptions: Provocation and certain police or military dog cases can involve additional limitations. The specific circumstances of the incident must be examined before determining whether an exception applies.
• Non-Bite Injuries: California’s strict-liability statute applies specifically to bites. When a dog knocks someone down, jumps on them, scratches them, or otherwise causes an injury without biting, the claim may instead depend on negligence and the circumstances of the incident.

What If the Dog Owner Denies Responsibility for the Bite?

A dog owner may deny responsibility or dispute the dog bite claims, particularly when the circumstances of the attack are unclear. When that happens, the evidence surrounding the incident becomes important. Photographs, witness statements, medical records, animal-control reports, and other documentation can help establish what happened and how the injury occurred.

A dog bite may also involve a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, depending on the circumstances and available coverage. The insurance company may investigate the incident, ask about the attack, request medical records, and evaluate the injuries and losses you are claiming.

What to do When an Owner Denies the Bite

• Get Medical Treatment: Seek medical attention promptly to treat the wound, prevent infection, and document your injuries.
• Report the Incident: Report the attack to local animal control or law enforcement so the incident can be officially documented.
• Gather Evidence: Take photographs of your injuries, damaged clothing, and the attack location, and collect witness information and available surveillance footage.
• Identify Insurance: Determine whether the dog owner has homeowners or renters insurance that may provide coverage for the injury.

We have handled dog bite cases involving serious injuries and disputed responsibility. In one case, a client suffered significant facial injuries after a neighbor’s dog escaped through a broken fence. The injuries required plastic surgery and resulted in permanent numbness of the lip.

Despite the dog owner’s initial resistance to covering the medical expenses, the case settled for $100,000, with homeowners insurance involved in the settlement. Read the full Dog Bite: $100,000 Recovered case result

How We Handle California Dog Bite Injury Claims

When a dog attack occurs, the first step is understanding what happened and identifying the evidence that can establish responsibility. We investigate the circumstances of the incident and gather medical records, photographs, witness information, animal control reports, insurance details, and other relevant records. This evidence helps us build Dog Bite Claims in California around the facts of the case.

We also look beyond the initial treatment to understand how the injury has affected your life. Medical expenses, ongoing treatment, lost income, scarring, permanent limitations, and other documented losses may all affect the value of your claim. Our work can include:

• Investigating the Attack: Determine how the incident occurred, who may be responsible, and what evidence supports the claim.
• Documenting Your Losses: Gather medical records, treatment costs, lost income, scarring, and other damages resulting from the injury.
• Pursuing the Claim: Identify applicable insurance coverage, negotiate with insurers, and prepare for litigation when necessary.

The goal is to build your dog bite claim around the actual circumstances, evidence, injuries, and losses involved rather than treating every case the same. A dog bite attorney can help determine what evidence matters and how California law applies to your circumstances.

California Dog Bite Lawyers With 30+ Years of Experience!

The Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim has more than 30 years of personal injury experience and has recovered more than $100 million in verdicts and settlements. We understand the physical, financial, and emotional effects a dog bite can cause and build each case around the evidence, injuries, and losses involved.

If you were injured in a dog attack, contact our dog bite attorney California team for a free consultation. We can review the circumstances of the attack, discuss your legal options, and help you understand what steps to take next.