Dog Bite Lawyer in California
Bitten or attacked by a dog anywhere in California? You generally have two years to file an injury claim — and as little as six months if a public agency’s dog or property was involved. Talk to us before you speak to the dog owner’s insurer.
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California legal deadlines
In California you generally have
2years
from the date of a dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1)
6months
to present a written government claim when a public agency’s dog or property is involved (Government Code § 911.2).
Do not wait on the practical steps. Report the bite to local animal control and identify the dog and its owner as soon as you can. The report records the dog, the owner and the location, and it is usually the first document an insurer asks for.
If the dog belonged to a city, county, state or other public entity, or the attack is tied to public property, the deadline is far shorter than the two-year one you may have heard about — a written government claim is generally due within six months.
Miss those deadlines and a strong case can end before it starts. A dog bite claim is often simple on fault; the calendar is what defeats it.
California Has No One-Bite Rule
A dog attack is over in seconds and stays with you for a long time. There is the wound, the emergency visit, the worry about infection and scarring, and very often the awkward fact that you know the owner.
In many states an owner gets one free bite, and liability begins only after the dog has already shown it is dangerous. California rejected that. Under Civil Code § 3342, the owner is strictly liable for a bite that happens in a public place or while the injured person is lawfully on private property, whether or not the dog ever showed aggression before and whether or not the owner knew.
That makes the usual response — “he has never done this” — legally irrelevant to the bite claim. What remains is where it happened, whether you were lawfully there, and the extent of the injury.
It also helps to know who is on the other side. In most cases the claim is handled and paid by the owner’s homeowner or renter insurance, not by the owner personally. The adjuster who calls is a trained professional measured on what the claim costs the insurer, and an early offer often arrives before anyone knows how the wound will heal or scar.
None of that is a verdict. It is an opening position, and it moves when the injury is documented, the policy is located and the insurer understands the case can be tried.
California Dog Bite Rules That Decide Your Claim
| Rule | What California law requires |
|---|---|
| Strict liability for bites | The owner of a dog is liable for damages suffered by a person bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property, regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of it (Civil Code § 3342). There is no “one free bite.” |
| Deadline to sue for injuries | 2 years from the date of the bite (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). The same two-year period applies to a wrongful death claim, running from the date of death. |
| Claims involving a public agency | Where a public agency’s dog or property is involved, a written claim is generally due within 6 months (Government Code § 911.2). If the claim is formally rejected, suit must usually follow within 6 months of the rejection notice (§ 945.6). |
| Bites versus other injuries | Section 3342 covers bites. Injuries from a dog knocking someone down, scratching them or chasing them into the street are pursued under ordinary negligence and local leash laws instead, and those claims still frequently succeed. |
| Who actually pays | Most claims are paid by the owner’s homeowner or renter liability coverage, not by the owner personally. Some policies exclude specific breeds or cap animal liability, which is one of the first things to check. |
| Landlords | A landlord is generally not liable simply for owning the property, but can be liable where they had actual knowledge of a dangerous dog and the ability to have it removed. |
| Trespassers and working dogs | Strict liability does not apply to someone who was trespassing, and section 3342 contains exceptions for military and police dogs performing defined duties. |
| If you were partly at fault | California uses pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co. (1975) 13 Cal.3d 804). In most situations your recovery is reduced by your share of responsibility rather than barred. |
| If the injured person is a minor | The two-year deadline is generally paused until the child turns 18 (Code of Civil Procedure § 352). Government claim deadlines are treated differently and should not be assumed to pause. A settlement for a minor also requires court approval. |
| Dangerous dog proceedings | Separate from your claim, a county or city may hold a hearing to declare a dog potentially dangerous or vicious and impose conditions on the owner (Food and Agricultural Code § 31601 and following). |
How Dog Bites Happen and Who Is Responsible in California
Most dog bites we handle are not unusual. They happen on ordinary days, to people who usually know the dog or its owner. Where the bite happened and why you were there decide which rule applies and who else, besides the owner, may be responsible.
Bites in public places
Sidewalks, parks, trails, beaches and shop entrances are the simplest setting legally. A bite in a public place falls squarely within the strict liability statute (Civil Code § 3342), and the owner’s belief that the dog was friendly is not a defense to the bite claim.
Bites while visiting a home
Guests, relatives, neighbors and children on play dates are lawfully on the property, so the same strict liability applies. These are also the cases where people hesitate most, because the owner is a friend. In the ordinary case the claim is handled by an insurance policy the owner already bought for this purpose.
Apartment buildings and common areas
Hallways, courtyards, stairwells and parking areas put tenants, visitors and other people’s dogs in close quarters. The dog’s owner is the primary defendant. A landlord or property manager is generally not liable merely for owning the building, but can be where they actually knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and had the ability to have it removed.
Dogs off leash or loose from the property
Many attacks begin with a dog that was off leash in violation of a city or county ordinance, or one that got through a gate, a fence or a screen door. How the dog got loose is strong evidence of carelessness, and it matters most when the injury was not a bite.
Children
Children are bitten at face height and are less able to read a dog’s warning signs, so their injuries are disproportionately to the face and hands. A child’s case is valued and handled differently, including planning for scar treatment years ahead and court approval of any settlement.
People bitten while working
Delivery drivers, postal workers and service workers are bitten at front doors and in yards they entered to do their jobs. They are generally lawfully on the property, and the owner’s liability is the same as it would be to an invited guest.
Knock-downs, scratches and chase injuries
A large dog can break a hip or a wrist without ever biting. Because section 3342 covers bites, these injuries are pursued under ordinary negligence and local leash laws instead. The proof is different, but the claims regularly succeed.
Dogs with a known history
Prior complaints, animal control reports and dangerous dog proceedings (Food and Agricultural Code § 31601 and following) are not required for a bite claim, but they matter. They can establish what a landlord knew, support a negligence claim, and answer an insurer who suggests you provoked the dog.
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Dog Bite Injuries We Represent
The injury drives the value of the claim, and with dog bites much of that value lies in how the wound heals. Documentation from day one, and again as the scar matures, is what makes the difference.
Puncture wounds and lacerations
Puncture injuries are often deeper than they appear on the surface, and torn skin may need careful repair. What looks manageable at the scene can still call for cleaning, closure and follow-up care.
Infection
Bite wounds carry a high risk of infection. That is the main reason we urge same-day medical care, and why the provider should record that the injury was a dog bite.
Facial injuries and scarring
Permanent scarring and disfigurement are a significant part of many dog bite claims. Valuing them properly often depends on a plastic surgeon’s opinion about revision surgery and what will remain afterwards.
Hand, arm and leg injuries
People raise their hands and arms to protect themselves, and dogs often go for the legs. Deep bites in these areas can affect grip, movement and the ability to work while they heal.
Fractures and fall injuries
Being knocked down or pulled over by a dog can break a wrist, a hip or an ankle, particularly in older adults. These injuries are compensable even where there was no bite, under a negligence claim.
Injuries to children
Because children are bitten at face height, their scars are often visible and change as they grow. Future care, including scar revision, may need to be planned years ahead and built into the claim.
Wrongful death
When a dog attack is fatal, California law allows specified surviving family members to bring a wrongful death claim (Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60), and the estate may bring a separate survival action.
Psychological injuries
Post-traumatic stress, nightmares and a lasting fear of dogs are common after an attack, especially in children, and are compensable when properly diagnosed and documented.
After a dog bite in California: what to do
Get to safety and call 911 if it is serious
Put distance or a barrier between you and the dog. Heavy bleeding, a bite to the face or neck, or any attack on a child is an emergency.
Get medical care the same day
Bite wounds carry a high infection risk, and punctures are often deeper than they look. Tell the provider it was a dog bite so it is recorded that way.
Report it to animal control
The report establishes the dog, the owner and the location, and triggers the rabies observation period. It is also the document insurers ask for first.
Identify the owner and the dog
Name, address, phone number, and whether they rent or own the home. Ask about vaccination records rather than arguing about fault.
Photograph the wounds over time
Photograph the injuries the same day and again as they heal. Also photograph torn clothing, the dog if it is safe to do so, and the gate, fence or leash involved.
Get witness names and numbers
Neighbors and passers-by are hard to find later. A name and mobile number written down that day is worth a great deal months on.
Note exactly where it happened
Sidewalk, park, the owner’s yard, a friend’s home, a rental unit or a common area. Location decides which rule applies and who else may be responsible.
Do not give a recorded statement
You are not required to give the dog owner’s insurer a recorded statement. Early statements are used later to suggest you provoked the dog or to narrow your injuries.
Talk to a lawyer before accepting anything
An early offer usually arrives before anyone knows how the wound will scar. Once you sign a release, the claim is over, including for treatment you have not had yet.
Speak With a California Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If you were injured by a dog bite in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, you do not have to handle the claim alone. Akhavan Law Firm can review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you take the next step with confidence.
Call +1 310-694-8999 today to request a free consultation with a California dog bite lawyer. The sooner you get guidance, the easier it may be to protect evidence, manage insurance communication, and move your claim forward.
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Schedule a Free Consultation with a California Dog Bite Lawyer
Do not wait to get legal help after a serious dog bite injury. Akhavan Law Firm can review your case, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward recovery.
No Win, No Fee — How Our Contingency Fee Works
You pay us nothing up front. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, and if we recover nothing, you owe us no attorney’s fee.
California requires contingency fee agreements to be in writing and to state the fee rate, how costs affect your recovery, and that the rate is negotiable and not set by law (Business & Professions Code § 6147). You receive a signed copy before we begin.
We also explain case costs plainly — filing fees, records, expert witnesses — and how they are handled, before you decide whether to hire us. The consultation itself is free, with no obligation to proceed.
Working with our firm
We are a California personal injury firm led by founding attorney Edwin Akhavan, California State Bar #270338. We handle dog bite claims across the state, from disputed liability cases to catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters. Our main office is in Beverly Hills and we keep offices throughout California, so a local meeting is usually possible without a long drive. We work with clients in English and Spanish.
Dog Bite Help Across California
This page covers the statewide rules. For the courts, animal control agencies and local leash ordinances where the attack actually happened, start with the office closest to you.
Related practice areas
We also handle other types of injury cases. If yours involved one of these, that page will be more specific:
Reviewed by Edwin Akhavan, Founding Attorney, California State Bar #270338
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Common questions answered
A dog bite raises questions quickly: who is responsible, who pays the medical bills, and how long you have to act. Below are plain answers to the questions we hear most from people bitten by dogs across California. They are general information; a free consultation is the place to talk about your own situation.
Dog Bite Questions We Hear Most
Does California have a one-bite rule?
No. Civil Code § 3342 makes a dog owner strictly liable for a bite that occurs in a public place or while the injured person is lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before and regardless of whether the owner knew it might be dangerous.
The owner’s lack of knowledge is not a defense to the bite claim.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in California?
Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the bite (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If the person bitten was a minor, the deadline is generally paused until their 18th birthday. If a public agency’s dog or property is involved, a written government claim is generally due within six months (Government Code § 911.2). Insurance policies can have their own notice requirements, so call early.
What should I do right after a dog bite?
Get medical care the same day and tell the provider it was a dog bite. Report the bite to animal control, identify the dog and its owner, and photograph the wounds that day and again as they heal.
Note exactly where it happened, and speak with a lawyer before giving the dog owner’s insurer a recorded statement.
Who pays a dog bite claim?
In most cases the owner’s homeowner or renter liability insurance pays, not the owner personally. Some policies exclude particular breeds or place a separate limit on animal liability, so reviewing the policy early matters. Where no policy exists, the claim proceeds against the owner directly.
What if the dog belongs to a friend, neighbor or family member?
It is still an insurance claim in most cases, and the insurer, not your friend, handles and pays it. People often delay a claim out of loyalty and are left with the medical bills themselves. A free consultation can tell you how the claim would actually be handled before you decide.
Can I bring a claim if the dog knocked me down but did not bite me?
Yes, though under a different theory. Strict liability under section 3342 applies to bites, so a knock-down, scratch or chase injury is pursued under ordinary negligence and local leash ordinances. Those claims succeed regularly, particularly where the dog was off leash in violation of a city or county ordinance.
Can the landlord be held responsible?
Sometimes. A landlord is generally not liable merely for owning the property, but can be liable where they had actual knowledge that a tenant’s dog was dangerous and had the ability to remove it or require its removal. Prior complaints, animal control reports and written notices to management are what establish that knowledge.
My child was bitten. What is different?
Children are bitten at face height, so facial scarring is common, and the value of the case often depends on a plastic surgeon’s opinion about future revision surgery. The filing deadline is generally paused until the child turns 18, but waiting is rarely an advantage because evidence and witnesses disperse. Any settlement for a minor requires court approval in California, which we handle as part of the case.
What if I was partly at fault, or the owner says I provoked the dog?
You can still recover in most situations. California uses pure comparative fault, so damages are reduced by your share of responsibility rather than barred. Insurers often push for a larger share of blame than the evidence supports. Strict liability does not apply if you were trespassing, and section 3342 contains exceptions for military and police dogs performing defined duties.
What does it cost to hire Akhavan Law Firm?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, so we are paid only if we recover money for you. There is no hourly billing and no fee if we do not win. The consultation is free, and we can meet you at the office, at home or at the hospital.
Do you help Spanish-speaking clients?
Yes. Se habla español. Our team handles consultations, documents and case updates in Spanish, and this page is also available in Spanish.
Areas We Serve
Akhavan Law Firm APC handles dog bite claims throughout California. Our headquarters is in Beverly Hills and we have eleven more offices across the state, so you can meet an attorney close to home. Visit the office nearest you or call us today for immediate legal assistance.