California Dog Bite Attorneys
Dog bites and animal attacks can cause serious and lasting injuries. Victims may suffer deep lacerations, puncture wounds, nerve damage, infections, permanent scarring, and significant emotional trauma. In more serious cases, a dog attack can lead to broken bones, reconstructive treatment, and long-term medical care. Children are particularly vulnerable because of their size and limited ability to protect themselves during an attack.
At Oaken Injury Law, dog bite cases are evaluated with a thorough understanding of both sides of these claims. Before representing injured victims, founding partner Matthew Bradley spent years defending dog bite cases for insurance companies and dog owners. That experience provides valuable insight into how these claims are investigated and where disputes commonly arise.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Dog Bite
Under California’s dog bite statute California Civil Code section 3342, dog owners are generally held strictly liable when a bite occurs in a public place or when the injured person is lawfully on private property.
However, even when liability appears clear in a dog bite case, questions can still arise regarding the full extent of the injuries, the treatment that may be needed in the future, and the insurance coverage available to address losses. Careful documentation of the dog bite incident, the injuries, and the surrounding circumstances can play an important role in evaluating a potential claim.
Even when liability appears clear, a dog bite claim still requires careful documentation of the injuries, treatment needs, and available insurance coverage.
Speaking with an attorney can help clarify how the law applies to the facts of a particular case and what steps may be appropriate moving forward. A review of the incident may include medical records, photographs of the injuries, witness information, and any reports generated by animal control or law enforcement.
It’s important to hire an attorney who knows the laws and specific nuances that play a role in handling dog bite cases.
Common Injuries Caused by Dog Bites
Dog bites often cause injuries that go far beyond a simple puncture wound. Because a dog’s jaws can exert substantial pressure, and because attacks may involve tearing or shaking motions, victims can suffer a broad range of serious physical injuries.
Deep lacerations and puncture wounds can damage underlying muscles, tendons, and nerves. In many cases, surgical treatment or wound closure is required, and permanent scarring may result.
Facial injuries, particularly when children are involved, may require reconstructive or plastic surgery.
Infections from dog bites also pose a significant risk. A dog’s mouth can introduce bacteria into the wound during an attack, sometimes leading to infections that require antibiotics or additional medical treatment. In some cases, medical providers may delay or avoid immediately closing a dog bite wound with sutures because closing the skin too quickly can increase the risk of trapping bacteria beneath the surface. When a wound must remain partially open to reduce infection risk, healing may take longer and visible scarring may become worse.
Lasting psychological injuries may exist beyond the physical harm from a dog attack. Many victims experience anxiety around dogs, sleep disturbance, or trauma symptoms after an attack. For children especially, the emotional impact of a dog bite can be significant and long-lasting.
Because of the potential for both physical and emotional harm, prompt medical attention and careful documentation of the injuries are often important after a dog attack.
Common Locations for Dog Bite Injuries Across California
Dog bites can occur in many different environments. While some attacks happen in public places, many occur in locations where people reasonably expect to be safe, including homes, neighborhoods, and apartment communities.
Residential homes may be the location of attacks when someone is visiting a friend or family member, when children are playing near a neighbor’s dog, or when a person is lawfully entering property for routine purposes such as deliveries, maintenance, or service work.
Apartment complexes and other multifamily housing environments can involve shared hallways, stairwells, courtyards, and common areas that bring residents and visitors in close proximity with dogs that may not be familiar with them.
Public spaces such as parks, sidewalks, hiking trails, and community walkways are common places for dog attacks. In those settings, dogs may be off-leash, improperly restrained, or unexpectedly aggressive toward strangers or other animals.
Because location can affect whether the injured person was lawfully present under California law, it may also influence how liability and insurance coverage are analyzed after a dog bite incident.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in California
Being attacked or bitten by a dog can be a scary situation, and you may not know what to do or where to go for help. Consider following the 5 steps below:
- Seek medical attention. Your health and safety should come first. Even if an injury seems minor at first, bacteria from a dog bite can cause infections to lacerations that may worsen over time if not treated properly. Prompt medical evaluation also creates documentation of the injury.
- Attempt to locate the dog’s owners. Collect the contact information of the dog owners. Request as much information as possible including names, address, phone number, and email.
- Report the bite to your local police department or animal control. Contacting the police or animal control to report the bite creates documentation that could be important for your case.
- Collect evidence and document the scene. Take pictures of the dog, location of the attack, and your injuries. You should also attempt to obtain information from any witnesses who may have seen the attack.
- Contact an attorney. An attorney can help you to understand the laws and your rights. They’ll help to evaluate the claim, identify responsible parties, and take steps to preserve evidence early.
Compensation For a Dog Bite Injury in California
A person injured by a dog bite may be entitled to pursue compensation for the harm caused by the attack. In California, a dog bite claim may include both economic and non-economic damages, depending on the nature and extent of the injuries.
Compensation in a dog bite case may include damages for:
Medical expenses and future treatment
Medical expenses may include hospital bills, medications, rehabilitation, and future treatment related to the dog bite injury.
Lost wages or loss of earning capacity
If the injury affects the person’s ability to work, compensation may include lost wages or loss of earning capacity.
Scarring, disfigurement, and reconstructive care
Dog bite claims may include scarring, disfigurement, and the cost of reconstructive care when the attack leaves permanent physical effects.
Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and psychological trauma
Compensation may also account for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and psychological trauma caused by the attack.
Dog bite injuries often leave lasting effects that go well beyond the initial wound. In more serious cases, victims may require reconstructive surgery, long-term medical care, or ongoing treatment for both physical and emotional injuries. Properly evaluating a dog bite claim often means accounting not only for the treatment already received, but also for the future impact of the injury.
Speak With an Experienced Dog Bite Attorney Today
Dog bite incidents can raise a number of legal and factual issues, particularly when the injuries are significant or the circumstances surrounding the attack are disputed. Understanding how California’s dog bite laws apply to a particular situation is often an important first step in determining what options may be available.
The attorneys at Oaken Injury Law represent individuals who have been injured by dog attacks and other acts of negligence. If you or a member of your family has been injured by a dog, speaking with an attorney may help you better understand your legal rights and the options available under California law.
