California Dog Bite Lawyers
California is a strict liability state for dog bites. You do not have to prove the dog was dangerous or that the owner did anything wrong. The owner is responsible from the first bite. We make sure the claim covers the real costs: emergency care, scar revision, therapy, and the time you lost. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
What to Do After a Dog Attack
Bite wounds infect easily and scar permanently. Act quickly to protect your health and your claim.
Get medical care
Dog saliva carries bacteria that cause serious infection. Go to an ER or urgent care for cleaning, a rabies check, and documentation.
Identify the owner
Name, address, and insurance information. If the dog was loose, note exactly where it happened for animal control.
Photograph the injuries
Clear, close-up photos of every puncture, bruise, and tear, plus torn clothing. Take more as the wounds heal.
File an animal control report
An official report creates a legal record and shows whether the dog has a history of aggression.
Note the circumstances
Was the dog leashed? Was there a broken fence or an open gate? Who saw it happen?
Call a lawyer before an adjuster
The insurer will try to claim you provoked the dog. Do not give a statement. 800-707-0707.
Strict Liability Under Civil Code 3342
Unlike states with a one-bite rule, California puts responsibility on the owner from the start.
What the law says
Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is liable for damages when their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the owner's own property. You do not need to prove the dog was dangerous or that the owner was negligent. The bite itself establishes liability.
What the insurer will argue anyway
- Provocation. Comparative fault can reduce a recovery if the victim provoked the dog. It rarely eliminates one, and it is the first thing an adjuster claims.
- Trespassing. Strict liability protects people lawfully on the property. Someone who was trespassing must prove negligence instead.
- Working police or military dogs. Exempt from strict liability while performing their duties.
- Non-bite injuries. A knockdown, a chase into traffic, or a fall caused by an aggressive dog falls under ordinary negligence rather than section 3342, and is still a valid claim.
Dog Bite and Animal Attack Cases
Where the attack happened and who was hurt changes the insurance, the defenses, and the value.
Dog Bites Involving Children
Children are bitten on the face and head far more often than adults, and scars grow with them. These cases involve plastic surgeons, court-approved settlements, and long-term planning.
Attacks at a Friend's or Neighbor's Home
The most common scenario. The claim runs through the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, not their wallet. We handle the carrier so the relationship survives.
Delivery Drivers, Mail Carriers, and Workers
Bitten on the job. A third-party claim against the owner alongside workers' compensation, which does not cover pain and suffering.
Off-Leash and Dog Park Attacks
Leash law violations in Concord, Walnut Creek, and county parks strengthen the claim. Animal control records and witness accounts decide fault.
Landlord and Property Owner Liability
When a landlord knew a tenant's dog was dangerous and did nothing, the landlord's insurance can be reached as well.
Knockdowns and Non-Bite Injuries
Fractures and head injuries from being knocked over, chased, or pulled down. No bite required for the owner to be responsible.
Why the Insurer Wants You to Think It Was Minor
Most dog bite claims are undervalued because no one prices the scar that will still be there in twenty years.
| What matters | The insurance approach | The Scranton approach |
|---|---|---|
| Strict liability (CC 3342) | "It was the dog's first bite" | Owner is liable regardless of the dog's history |
| Scarring | Future cosmetic needs ignored | Plastic surgery estimates for lifetime revision |
| Psychological trauma | PTSD and fear of dogs dismissed | Documented with treating providers and expert testimony |
| Insurance | "There isn't enough coverage" | Homeowner's, renter's, umbrella, and landlord policies audited |
Dog Bite Settlement Ranges in California
There is no formula. Location of the injury, permanence of the scarring, and the victim's age drive the number more than anything else.
Punctures that heal with minimal scarring, short treatment, no surgery.
Deep lacerations, infection, visible scarring, or bites requiring stitches and follow-up care.
Nerve damage, facial scarring, reconstructive surgery, or lasting psychological trauma.
Permanent disfigurement, loss of function, or attacks on young children with lifelong revision needs. Often limited by available coverage.
What moves a case up or down the range
- Location of the injury: face and hands are valued higher
- Permanence of the scarring and cost of future revision
- The victim's age, especially children
- Psychological harm and the therapy it requires
- Available insurance: homeowner's, renter's, umbrella, landlord
- Whether provocation can credibly be argued
Ranges are illustrative and based on general experience with California dog bite claims. They are not a prediction for any individual case. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Dog Bite Claims in Contra Costa County
We handle dog bite claims throughout Contra Costa County and Northern California, from residential neighborhoods in Concord and Pleasant Hill to parks and trails in Walnut Creek and the county's open space. We know the local leash ordinances, which animal control agency holds the records, and how the homeowner's insurers that dominate this market value these claims.
Deadlines
Under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit. Insurance details, animal control records, and witness memories should be secured long before that.
Six-month government deadline: if the dog belonged to a government entity, such as a police K9 or a city-owned animal, a formal written claim must be filed within six months.
Dog bite lawyers near you
"Dog bites are uniquely upsetting because they happen where we should feel safe: our own neighborhoods, a friend's home. The insurance company will try to make it awkward. They want you to feel like you are attacking a neighbor. You are not. You are making a claim on an insurance policy that exists for exactly this. Our firm deals with the carrier so you do not have to."
What to Expect When You Hire Us
Free case review
You call or send the form. We review the circumstances of the attack, the owner's insurance situation, and your injuries, and tell you plainly what the claim involves.
Insurance and records
Most bites are covered by homeowner's or renter's insurance. We identify every policy that applies and obtain the animal control report and any prior complaints about the dog.
Medical and scar evaluation
Plastic surgeons who evaluate bite scars for long-term revision, and therapists for trauma. Many treat on a lien basis, so nothing comes out of your pocket.
Demand and negotiation
A demand covering surgeries, scar revision, lost wages, therapy, and pain and suffering. Most cases settle here.
Litigation and trial
If the carrier will not pay fair value, we file suit. Fifty years of trying cases in Northern California is the leverage.
Resolution and payment
We resolve liens and paperwork and get your money to you quickly. You pay nothing unless we win.
The Attorneys Who Handle Your Case
Dog Bite Guides
Children and Dog Bites: Special Considerations in Legal Cases
Why children are bitten differently, what parents should do first, and how California's strict liability law protects them.
Read the guide → Fatal attacksWrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Dog Attack
How Civil Code 3342 applies when an attack is fatal, and what a family's wrongful death claim can recover.
Read the guide →More on insurance tactics, evidence, and injury claims in the Legal Knowledge Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the dog get one free bite in California?
No. California is a strict liability state under Civil Code section 3342. The owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog from the very first incident, whether or not the dog has ever shown aggression before.
What if the bite happened at a friend's or family member's house?
These claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, not out of their pocket. We deal with the insurance company directly so the relationship is not damaged while you get the care you need.
Can I file a claim if the dog didn't actually bite me?
Yes. Strict liability applies to bites, but if a dog knocked you down, chased you into traffic, or caused you to fall, the owner can still be held liable under ordinary negligence.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in California?
Generally two years from the date of the attack under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. If the dog was owned by a government entity, a formal government claim must be filed within six months.
What damages can I recover for a dog bite?
Medical bills, future scar revision and plastic surgery, lost wages, therapy for trauma and fear of dogs, and pain and suffering. If the owner's conduct was especially reckless, punitive damages may also be available.
The owner says I provoked the dog. Does that end my case?
No. Provocation is the most common defense, and it can reduce a recovery under comparative fault, but it rarely eliminates one. We use witness statements, animal control records, and the circumstances of the attack to show what actually happened.
Who pays for my medical bills now?
We work with doctors and plastic surgeons who accept medical liens. They treat you now and are paid from the settlement later, so you pay nothing out of pocket today.
How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?
We work on a contingency fee. You pay $0 upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. If we do not recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
Bitten? Tell Us What Happened.
An attorney reviews your details and calls you back. We deal with the owner's insurance so you do not have to.
Or call 800-707-0707- 100% confidential
- No fee unless we win
- Available 24/7, English and Spanish
Got it. We'll call you shortly.
While you wait:
- Do not give the owner's insurer a statement.
- Keep photographing the wounds as they heal.
- Save the animal control report number if you have one.
The Owner's Insurance Exists for This
Do not let an adjuster decide what your injury is worth. Get a free case review from a Northern California dog bite lawyer today.
Attorney Advertising. Scranton Law Firm, 2450 Stanwell Dr, Concord, CA 94520. Responsible attorney: Christian Scranton, California State Bar #196959. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.