Dog Bites Lawyer San Diego
You Have Rights After A Dog Bite
People often consider dogs to be humans’ best friends. However, sometimes a dog can attack, leading to serious injuries and complications. Dog attacks and bites can result in painful injuries, permanent scarring and a lifetime of mental trauma.
Guiding You Through The Legal Process
In California, you can hold pet owners liable for the injuries their pet causes. Unlike other states, California does not require you to prove negligence or a history of viciousness to recover compensation in a lawsuit. As long as you were lawfully on the property where the attack happened, and not trespassing, you can file a valid claim. However, if the dog owner asserts that you provoked the dog, partial fault can reduce the total amount of your recovery.
The process of filing a personal injury lawsuit for a dog bite can differ from other accidents. To have a strong claim, you must photograph the bite weekly, provide evidence of the nature of the injury and document permanent scarring.
Common dog bite injuries include:
- Lacerations
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
- Brain injuries
Many dog attack victims hesitate to file a claim because they do not want to be the cause of financial hardships for the dog owner or get them in trouble. However, the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance will typically pay for your personal injury claim.
Learn More About How We Can Help You
Dog Bite FAQs
Can AK Injury Law Firm afford to take on a complex or expensive case?
Yes. We advance every cost your case needs, including medical experts, investigators, depositions and court filing fees, and we prepare every case to go to trial if the insurer will not pay fairly. You pay nothing up front, and if we do not win, you owe nothing: no attorney fee and no repayment of costs. We have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, though past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See our recent results.
Will I work directly with the attorney?
Yes. AK Injury Law Firm is a boutique firm, and Dr. Azadeh Keshavarz personally handles every case. You can reach her directly, and a dedicated case manager helps with day-to-day questions.
Is a dog owner always responsible for a bite in California?
California has a strict liability dog bite law. An owner is liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before (Civil Code section 3342).
What if the dog knocked me down but did not bite?
The strict liability statute covers bites. Other injuries caused by a dog can still be pursued under general negligence, for example when an owner ignores a leash law.
Who pays for a dog bite claim?
Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies often cover dog bites, including bites that happen away from the home.
Should I report the bite?
Yes. Get medical care and report the bite to animal control. In San Diego County that is the Department of Animal Services. Most injury claims must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1).
Dr. Azadeh Keshavarz, Esq
Founder/Managing Attorney
Bilingual - English I Spanish
