The short answer
California follows strict liability for dog bites (Civ. Code § 3342)—the owner is liable even if the dog never bit anyone before. You generally have two years to file (CCP § 335.1). Seek medical care, report the bite, photograph injuries, and consult a lawyer promptly.
A dog bite can happen in seconds: on a sidewalk in Silver Lake, at a park in Echo Park, in the hallway of an apartment building, or at a friend's home in the Valley. The injuries are often worse than people expect, including deep punctures, torn tissue, nerve damage, infections, and scarring that may require plastic surgery. Children are frequently bitten on the face and neck, and the emotional effects can linger long after the wounds heal.
California has one of the stronger dog bite laws in the country. Under the state's dog bite statute, an owner is generally strictly liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog had ever shown aggression before. You do not have to prove the owner was careless. Injuries from dogs that knock someone down or chase them into traffic can also support a claim, though under different legal rules.
Most dog bite claims are paid through homeowner's or renter's insurance. Our founding attorneys spent years as insurance-defense lawyers and in-house for a major insurer, and we know how these claims are handled: questions about provocation, whether you were lawfully on the property, and whether the scarring is 'really' permanent. We use that knowledge to document your claim and respond to those arguments.
Consultations are free, and you pay no attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. If you or your child was bitten anywhere in Los Angeles County, we can help you understand your rights.
From the other side of the table
How the insurer's adjuster sees your dog bite claim
Provocation
Because strict liability makes fault hard to dispute, adjusters often argue that the victim provoked the dog by petting it, reaching toward it, or startling it. We gather witness accounts and details of the scene to show what actually happened, particularly in cases involving children who cannot be expected to read a dog's behavior.
Lawful presence
The strict liability statute protects people in public places or lawfully on private property. Insurers may question whether you had permission to be where you were. Mail carriers, delivery drivers, guests, and people performing a duty on the property are generally lawfully present, and we document that.
Scarring as 'cosmetic'
Adjusters may evaluate scarring based on its appearance shortly after healing, before it is clear whether revision surgery is needed. We work with your treating physicians and, when appropriate, plastic surgeons to document the long-term effect and future treatment.
Coverage exclusions
Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history. Insurers may deny coverage altogether. We look at all potential coverage, including the owner's policy, a landlord's policy where the landlord knew about a dangerous dog, and any other responsible party.
Why it happens
Common causes
Off-leash dogs in public spaces
Dogs running off-leash on sidewalks, beaches, trails in Griffith Park, and neighborhood parks can attack people and other dogs.
Dogs escaping yards
Broken fences, unlatched gates, and open front doors allow dogs to escape and attack passersby, delivery workers, and neighbors.
Apartment and condo complexes
Dogs in shared hallways, elevators, and courtyards in dense apartment buildings create frequent opportunities for attacks.
Bites at a friend's or relative's home
Many bites occur when guests, particularly children, visit a home with a dog. Homeowner's insurance often covers these claims.
Attacks on delivery and service workers
Mail carriers, delivery drivers, and service workers are at risk when owners fail to secure dogs during deliveries and appointments.
Knock-down injuries
Large dogs can knock people over, causing fractures and head injuries even without a bite. These claims follow different legal rules than bites.
What we see
Injuries we handle
What you may recover
Compensation in a California claim
Medical and surgical care
Emergency treatment, wound care, antibiotics, rabies prophylaxis when needed, surgery, and future plastic or reconstructive surgery.
Scarring and disfigurement
Compensation for the lasting physical and emotional effects of visible scars, which can be particularly significant for children.
Lost income
Wages lost during treatment and recovery, and any reduced earning capacity from hand or nerve injuries.
Pain and emotional distress
Compensation for physical pain, fear, anxiety, nightmares, and other emotional effects of the attack.
Counseling costs
Reasonable costs of therapy to address trauma, which is common after dog attacks, especially for children.
The rules that apply
California law you should know
Strict liability for dog bites
A dog owner is liable for damages suffered by a person bitten while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the owner's property, regardless of the dog's prior behavior or the owner's knowledge.
Cal. Civ. Code § 3342
Negligence for non-bite injuries
Injuries caused by a dog that do not involve a bite, such as being knocked down, may be pursued under general negligence principles or based on the owner's knowledge of dangerous tendencies.
Cal. Civ. Code § 1714
Filing deadline
Most dog bite lawsuits must be filed within two years of the bite.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1
Comparative fault
If the insurer argues you contributed to the injury, any recovery may be reduced by your share of fault rather than eliminated.
Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804
General information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules depend on the facts of your case, so talk to an attorney promptly.
Right now
Protect your claim
Evidence to gather
- Photos of your wounds, taken immediately and throughout healing
- The owner's name, address, and contact information
- A description and photo of the dog
- The animal control or police report number
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Your torn or bloody clothing
- Medical records, including emergency care and follow-up
- Any prior complaints about the dog from neighbors
Mistakes insurers count on
- Not reporting the bite to animal control
- Accepting the owner's promise to 'pay you back' without documenting the claim
- Giving a recorded statement to the homeowner's insurer
- Skipping follow-up care for infection or scarring
- Settling before scarring has matured and future treatment is known
Step by step
How we handle your case
- 1
Free consultation
We review how the bite happened, who owns the dog, and what insurance may apply.
- 2
Identify the owner and insurance
We work to identify the dog's owner and any homeowner's, renter's, or other applicable insurance policy.
- 3
Gather records
We obtain animal control reports, medical records, and any history of prior aggression or complaints.
- 4
Document scarring and recovery
We track your healing with photos and medical documentation, including future treatment recommendations.
- 5
Negotiate or file suit
We present the claim to the insurer and are prepared to file suit if a fair resolution is not offered.
From the Case Vault
Related results
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
No. California's dog bite statute imposes strict liability on the owner for bites in public places or when the victim is lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before. The old idea of a 'one bite rule' does not apply to bites under this statute.
Premises Liability
