Bitten by a dog in California? Hi, I’m Hovick Oganesyan from Ness Law, and today I want to tackle some of the most commonly Googled questions about dog bites in California. Dog attacks can be frightening and often leave victims not only with physical injuries but also with emotional trauma and financial stress.
Whether the incident happens at a friend’s home, on public property, or during an everyday walk, California law gives victims clear rights to seek compensation. Understanding what steps to take, such as documenting injuries, getting medical treatment, and knowing who is legally responsible, can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
In this blog, I’ll cover essential questions like what to do immediately after a dog bite, who may be liable, whether you need a doctor or police report, how compensation is determined, and how long you have to file a claim.
Transcript:
Hi, I’m Hovick Oganesyan from Ness Law, and I’m here to answer the most commonly Googled questions regarding dog bites.
What Should You Do If a Dog Bites You?
I honestly think that the most important thing to do immediately after a dog bite would be to document your injuries. It’s important to photograph any and all marks left on you by the dog, and that could be puncture wounds or scratches.
The second most important thing you should do would be to hire an attorney. An attorney is able to bridge the gap between you and the potential defendant. That could be a very hostile relationship, and I don’t recommend you speaking to any defendant personally. Let us handle that for you. A seasoned attorney is able to conduct an investigation. We’re able to pull homeowners insurance policies to find out what coverages are afforded to you. We’re also able to find out who owns the property and ultimately who owns the dog.
It’s also important that, if you’re able, you get as much information as possible regarding the dog and the owner or the property it came from. That would assist the attorney in their investigation. It’ll get the ball rolling and allow us to pick up where you left off and get your case closed sooner rather than later.
Who Is Responsible in the Event of a Dog Bite?
The dog owner is going to be 100% responsible for any attack or bite caused by their dog. In addition to that, in certain situations, you may also be able to hold the landlord responsible for a dog attack. This situation comes up if a renter has a dog, that attacks you, you may be able to sue the landlord for the attack by the tenant’s dog. In order to do so, however, you would have to show that the landlord knew or should have known that the animal had dangerous propensities, basically that the dog is vicious in nature.
Do You Need to See a Doctor in the Event of a Dog Bite?
Yes. Even the smallest of dog bites requires medical attention. I highly recommend that my clients get checked out for any dog bite that may result in infection. The more severe the dog bite, the more likely it is that you’re going to require medical attention.
In addition, it is very important to document your injuries via medical records. The insurance companies are not going to take your word for anything. They want to see medical diagnoses, X-rays, and opinions by doctors—proof that you suffered these injuries.
Do You Need to Report a Dog Bite to the Police?
The answer is no, but it’s highly recommended. Calling the police out to an incident can really benefit you in the long run. The police prepare a report during their investigation, which outlines all the facts that led up to the incident and what happened after. It also contains a lot of vital information that’s useful for your claim, like witness statements, witness contact information, and information about the dog owner.
What If the Dog Owner Says You Provoked the Dog?
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what the dog owner says, and it doesn’t really matter if you actually did provoke the animal. In California, we have what’s called strict liability for dog attacks. That means all you have to show is that the dog did attack you. It doesn’t matter how it happened, when it happened, why it happened—just showing that the dog attacked you is sufficient to hold the dog owner liable for your injuries.
If the Dog Bit Your Child Who Is Under the Age of Five, Does That Change Anything?
The answer is yes and no. The claims process for any victim, regardless of age, is the same. We do our investigation, we find out who the dog owner is, and we hold them responsible. We wait until our client has completed treatment. We would never settle any case before that, because then we wouldn’t know if the client’s damages exceed what we’re demanding. Once we submit a demand package to the insurance company and settle on behalf of the minor, great.
In cases involving minors, any settlement must go through court approval. This is called a minor’s compromise. We petition the court to open a blocked account, and the proceeds intended for the minor are ensured they’re for the minor when the minor turns 18.
What If You’re Not Sure Who Owns the Dog That Bit You?
That could be a problem for your case. Dog ownership is vital to be able to hold someone responsible for the injuries caused. If you don’t know who owns the dog, then you have to know where the dog resides. Through residency, we’re able to determine ownership or responsibility for the animal. One or both of these, ownership or location, is vital to a successful dog bite case.
How Much Compensation Will You Get for a Dog Bite?
That is an impossible question to answer. Settlements for dog bites vary significantly from very high to very low because there are so many factors that go into evaluating a dog bite case. For example, the location of the bite plays a major factor—a bite to the face is worth more than a bite to the thigh. Did the bite result in scarring? Is there any permanent disfigurement? All those factors need to be considered to value your case. Also, gender and age of the victim play a factor. There are way too many factors to properly give you a claim value.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?
Dog bites in California carry a two-year statute of limitations, just like any other personal injury. So you have up to two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Dog bites can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial scars, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. California’s strict liability laws hold dog owners accountable, and with the right legal guidance, you can recover the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
At Ness Law, we handle the complexities of dog bite cases so you can focus on healing. If you or a loved one has been bitten, don’t wait—contact our office today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.