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Personal Injury
California Dog Bite Lawyers
Were you or your child bitten or attacked by a dog in California? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help victims pursue compensation for medical bills, scarring, and pain and suffering. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.
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Understanding Your Dog Bite Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that has represented thousands of injured Californians. Our attorneys identify the dog owner and their insurance coverage, gather medical and animal-control records, and handle every conversation with the insurer so you can focus on healing. There are no fees unless you get paid.
In California, the dog's owner is generally liable for a bite under the state's strict-liability law, California Civil Code §3342. This means the owner is responsible for the victim's injuries even if the dog had never bitten anyone before and the owner had no reason to believe the dog was dangerous. Liability can extend to landlords or others who knew of a dangerous animal, and a legal professional can review who may be responsible in your case.
Take five steps to protect your health and your claim: (1) seek medical attention immediately, as bites carry a high risk of infection; (2) report the bite to animal control or local police so an official record is created; (3) identify the dog's owner and any witnesses; (4) photograph your injuries, the location, and the animal if possible; and (5) speak with a dog bite lawyer before giving a recorded statement to any insurer.
Dog bite victims in California can generally recover both economic and non-economic damages. These commonly include medical expenses (including surgery and reconstructive care), lost wages, future treatment for scarring or disfigurement, and pain and suffering, including emotional trauma. Because every case is unique, a legal professional can review your losses during a free case review.
Yes — children are among the most frequent and most seriously injured dog bite victims. Because of their height, kids are often bitten on the face, head, and neck, which can lead to permanent scarring and lasting emotional harm. Cases involving a child injury deserve special care, and our attorneys handle them with the sensitivity they require. Learn more about our work for injured children at /california-child-injury-lawyer.
In most California dog bite cases you generally have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Claims involving a government entity — for example, a bite by a police or agency dog — can carry much shorter deadlines, often six months. Because missing a deadline can end your case, it's best to speak with a legal professional early.
Meet Our Dog Bite Attorneys
Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. GuestPartner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.Partner$3.0M
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Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Do I Know If I Have a Dog Bite Claim in California?
You generally have a valid dog bite claim if a dog bit you in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property, and you suffered injuries as a result. California's strict-liability statute (Civil Code §3342) means you usually do not have to prove the owner was careless — only that the bite happened and caused harm. California's two-year statute of limitations applies, so contact Wilshire Law Firm's dog bite attorneys for a free case evaluation.
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Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.
17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
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*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Dog Bite FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
California is a strict-liability state for dog bites under Civil Code § 3342. That means the owner is generally responsible for a bite that happens in a public place or while you are lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before and the owner had no reason to think it was dangerous. You do not have to prove the owner was careless.
No. Some states give a dog a free first bite, but California's statute imposes strict liability from the very first bite. Prior viciousness is not required for the owner to be responsible for bite injuries.
The strict-liability statute is written specifically for bites, so injuries from a dog that jumps on you, knocks you over, or scratches you may instead be pursued under ordinary negligence, for example, if the owner failed to control or leash the animal. These claims are fact-specific, so it is worth having a lawyer review what happened.
California follows pure comparative negligence, so provoking or teasing a dog may reduce your recovery by your share of fault but usually does not eliminate it. Provocation and trespassing are common defenses that owners and insurers raise, and they are often disputed. An attorney can assess how these issues affect your claim.
You generally have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. The deadline can be shorter if a government entity is involved. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm yours promptly.