Practice Area
Dog Bite Lawyers in California
California holds dog owners strictly responsible for bites — even if the dog never showed aggression before. We pursue the full cost of serious attacks, including the scarring and trauma children so often suffer.
- FeeNo fee unless we win
- First conversationFree and confidential
- LanguageSe habla español
Overview
How these claims work.
Unlike many states, California does not give owners a “one free bite.” Under Civil Code §3342, a dog owner is strictly liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten before.
Dog attacks frequently cause deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, and permanent scarring, and children are the most common and most seriously affected victims. Compensation usually comes through the owner’s homeowner or renter insurance, and we handle the claim so families can focus on healing.
What We Handle
Dog attack injuries we handle
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Facial injuries and scarring
- Nerve and tissue damage
- Infections from bites
- Injuries to children
- Emotional trauma and PTSD
- Permanent disfigurement
California Law
What you should know.
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Strict liability under Civil Code §3342
A California dog owner is liable for a bite even with no prior history of aggression. The injured person does not have to prove the owner was careless — only that the bite occurred lawfully in public or on private property.
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Insurance and the two-year deadline
Dog bite claims are usually paid through the owner’s homeowner or renter insurance. The standard two-year statute of limitations applies, and claims involving children may have adjusted timing.
General information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules depend on the facts of your case, so talk to a lawyer about yours. Read our FAQ.
How We Help
What Reardon Stodolka brings to your case.
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We read the medicine, not just the file
The firm was built around reading treatment records the way clinicians do — connecting the mechanism of your injury to the diagnosis, the prognosis, and the long-term cost. That is what stops an insurer from dismissing a serious injury as minor.
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California is the whole practice
Deadlines, comparative-fault rules, and the insurers and courts you will face are all California-specific. The work is built around how injury claims actually move here, from the first claim letter to trial if it comes to that.
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No fee unless we win
You pay nothing up front and nothing unless we recover for you. The first conversation is free and focused on giving you a clear, honest read on your claim.
The dog never bit anyone before. Can I still recover?
Yes. California’s strict liability rule means an owner is responsible even for a first bite, without any prior history of aggression.
Who pays for a dog bite injury?
Usually the owner’s homeowner or renter insurance policy. We handle the claim against that coverage so you do not have to negotiate with the insurer alone.
My child was bitten. What should we do?
Get medical care, photograph the injuries, identify the dog and owner, and contact a lawyer. Children suffer the most serious dog-bite injuries, and the law provides strong protection.
Free Case Review
Ready to talk about your case?
Share what happened and the questions weighing on you. The first conversation is free, confidential, and focused on clarity — with no fee unless we win.