California reported over 2,400 dog bite insurance claims in a single year, with Los Angeles County leading the state in total incidents. A dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles at Borna Houman Law Group helps victims recover compensation for medical bills, scarring, emotional trauma, and lost income. We take these cases on contingency: you pay nothing unless we win.
Key Takeaway: California is a strict liability state for dog bites under Civil Code section 3342. The dog’s owner is liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has bitten anyone before or shown aggressive behavior. Victims do not need to prove the owner was negligent. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the bite under CCP section 335.1.
What Makes California a Strict Liability Dog Bite State?
California Civil Code section 3342 eliminates the “one free bite” defense that exists in many other states. The owner is responsible the first time the dog bites someone, period. You do not need to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the dog had a history of aggression.
Strict liability applies when the victim was bitten (not just knocked down or scratched), the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property, and the defendant owned the dog at the time of the bite. Postal workers, delivery drivers, guests, and anyone with lawful reason to be on the property are covered.
The only major exceptions are trespassers and people who provoke the dog. Military and police dogs acting under official orders are also exempt. If you were invited into someone’s home or walking on a public sidewalk when a dog bit you, strict liability almost certainly applies to your case.
How Much Is a Dog Bite Lawsuit Worth in California?
Dog bite settlements in Los Angeles range from $30,000 for minor puncture wounds to over $500,000 for attacks causing permanent disfigurement, nerve damage, or psychological trauma. Children bitten in the face frequently receive higher settlements because of the long-term impact on appearance and emotional development.
| Injury Severity | Typical Settlement Range | Common Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (single puncture, no scarring) | $15,000 – $50,000 | Puncture wounds, bruising, minor infection |
| Moderate (stitches, minor scarring) | $50,000 – $150,000 | Lacerations, tendon damage, visible scars |
| Severe (surgery, permanent scarring) | $150,000 – $500,000 | Reconstructive surgery, nerve damage, facial scarring |
| Catastrophic (disfigurement, child victim) | $500,000 – $2,000,000+ | Multiple surgeries, PTSD, permanent disability |
In our experience handling dog bite cases across Los Angeles, the two factors that drive settlement value highest are permanent visible scarring and documented psychological impact. A victim with PTSD symptoms, documented by a therapist, who also has facial scars that required plastic surgery, will recover significantly more than someone with identical physical injuries but no mental health documentation.
How Much Does a Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?
At Borna Houman Law, dog bite cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, no retainers, and no hourly fees. Our legal fees come as a percentage of the settlement or verdict we obtain for you, typically 33% to 40% depending on whether the case settles before or during litigation.
If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. This arrangement means we assume all financial risk. It also means our incentives are aligned with yours: the more we recover, the more both of us benefit.
Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in California?
Yes. You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner for a bite that occurs in any public place or while you are lawfully on private property. California Civil Code section 3342 provides the legal basis for strict liability, and common law negligence provides an additional avenue for non-bite injuries (knockdowns, scratches, being chased into traffic).
You may also have a claim against a landlord who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to act. Under California case law (Uccello v. Laudenslayer, 44 Cal.App.3d 504), a landlord who has actual knowledge of a tenant’s vicious dog and the ability to remove the animal can be held liable for injuries that dog causes.
Claims against government entities (a dog owned by a city employee, a stray in a public park) require a government tort claim filed within six months under Government Code section 911.2. This shortened deadline catches many victims off guard.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Dog Bite Case?
California allows dog bite victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. There is no cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases outside of medical malpractice.
Economic damages include all medical expenses (emergency room, surgery, plastic surgery, physical therapy, future treatment), lost wages and lost earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs like transportation to medical appointments. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, scarring, PTSD, anxiety around dogs, and loss of enjoyment of life.
For children, courts and juries give particular weight to the lifelong impact of facial scarring and the psychological trauma of a violent animal attack. A child who develops a lasting fear of dogs, requires years of therapy, or faces bullying because of visible scars has a strong non-economic damages claim.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite in Los Angeles?
Seek medical attention immediately, even for bites that look minor. Dog bites carry high infection rates, including the risk of MRSA, pasteurella, and in rare cases, rabies. Prompt medical treatment creates a documented record linking your injuries to the specific incident.
Report the bite to LA County Animal Control within 24 hours. Animal Control will quarantine the dog for 10 days to rule out rabies and create an official incident report. This report becomes critical evidence in your case.
Photograph your injuries immediately after the bite, during treatment, and throughout the healing process. Scarring changes over time, and a photographic timeline demonstrates the progression from initial wound to permanent scar.
Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s name, address, phone number, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information. If the attack happened in a park or public area, look for security cameras and ask witnesses for contact information. Contact a personal injury lawyer before speaking with the dog owner’s insurance company.
Is It Hard to Sue for a Dog Bite in California?
California’s strict liability statute makes dog bite cases easier to prove than most personal injury claims. Unlike a car accident case where you must prove the other driver was negligent, a dog bite case requires only three elements: the defendant owned the dog, you were bitten, and you were in a public place or lawfully on private property.
The most common defense is provocation. The owner will argue the victim teased, hit, or antagonized the dog. For children under five, California courts apply a stricter standard, as young children often do not have the capacity to understand that pulling a dog’s tail might trigger a bite.
The second most common defense is trespassing. If you were unlawfully on the owner’s property when bitten, strict liability does not apply. You may still have a negligence claim, but the burden of proof is higher.
Common Dog Bite Injuries and Long-Term Consequences
Dog bites cause puncture wounds that trap bacteria deep in tissue, leading to infection rates between 15% and 20% according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Large breed attacks frequently cause crush injuries to hands, arms, and faces because of the bite force involved. A German Shepherd’s bite force exceeds 230 pounds per square inch.
Long-term consequences that increase case value include permanent nerve damage causing numbness or loss of function, keloid or hypertrophic scarring that remains raised and discolored, limited range of motion in hands or fingers after tendon damage, and post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional.
The most common mistake we see is victims settling too early, before the full extent of scarring is known. Scars take 12 to 18 months to fully mature. A scar that looks like it might fade can become permanent and raised. Settling before you know the final cosmetic outcome leaves money on the table.
How Our Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyers Fight for You
At Borna Houman Law, we handle dog bite cases with the same intensity we bring to our slip and fall cases and truck accident cases. We investigate the dog’s history (prior complaints, prior bites, breed-specific behavior), identify all insurance policies that cover the owner, document injuries through medical expert review, and negotiate aggressively for full compensation.
We represent dog bite victims throughout Los Angeles County, from Hollywood to Compton, Glendale to Long Beach, Pasadena to Van Nuys.
FAQ: Dog Bite Claims in Los Angeles
How much does a dog bite lawyer cost in Los Angeles?
Most dog bite lawyers in Los Angeles work on contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Fees are a percentage of the settlement, typically 33-40%, paid only if you win your case.
How much is a dog bite lawsuit worth in California?
Dog bite settlements range from $15,000 for minor wounds to over $500,000 for severe attacks causing permanent scarring or disfigurement. Child victims and those with facial injuries typically receive higher settlements.
Is California a strict liability state for dog bites?
Yes. Under Civil Code section 3342, dog owners are liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has bitten before or shown aggression. Victims do not need to prove negligence.
Is it worth suing for a dog bite?
In most cases, yes. California’s strict liability law makes dog bite claims relatively straightforward. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability up to $100,000-$300,000, providing a source of recovery.
What should I do immediately after a dog bite?
Seek medical attention, report the bite to LA County Animal Control, photograph your injuries, identify the dog owner and get their insurance information, and contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with any insurance company.
Can a landlord be liable for a tenant’s dog bite?
Yes. Under Uccello v. Laudenslayer, a landlord with actual knowledge of a tenant’s dangerous dog and the ability to remove the animal can be held liable for injuries. This applies to both residential and commercial landlords.
Free Consultation With a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bite injuries cause physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial stress. You should not have to bear those costs alone. At Borna Houman Law Group, we offer a free consultation to evaluate your dog bite claim and explain your options. No fee unless we win. Call us today or contact us online to speak with an experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney who will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.