Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Bite and attack claims, including the scarring and the fear that outlast the wound. Most are paid by the owner's homeowner or renter policy, not out of pocket.
Many states, California among them, hold a dog owner strictly liable for a bite: there is no need to show the dog had bitten before, or that the owner was careless. That shifts the fight to damages, and to which policy pays.
We identify the coverage first. A homeowner or renter policy usually responds, which is why pursuing the claim rarely means going after a neighbour's savings, and it is worth knowing that before you decide.
What we do on a case like this
- Owner and policy identified before any demand is made
- Animal control and prior-incident records obtained
- Scar and disfigurement claims documented properly
- Handled with care where the owner is someone you know
Questions and Answers
Q.The dog belongs to a friend. Am I really suing them?+−
In practice the claim goes to their insurer, which is what the policy exists for. We can approach it in a way that keeps the relationship intact, and many clients do.
Q.My child was bitten but the wound healed. Is there still a case?+−
Often yes. Scarring on a child, and a lasting fear of animals, are compensable, and a child's claim generally has a longer deadline than an adult's. Have it reviewed.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case turns on its own facts, and nothing on this page is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
Also in Personal Injury
Personal Injury Claims
When another party's negligence leaves you hurt, the claim covers your medical care, the income you lost, and what the injury took from your daily life. We build it for trial and negotiate from there.
Premises Liability
Injuries on property that was not kept safe: broken stairs and railings, unmarked wet floors, bad lighting, falling merchandise, and negligent security.
Wrongful Death
A claim brought by close family when negligence causes a death. It covers what the family lost financially, and the relationship that was taken from them.
Talk to an attorney before you talk to the adjuster.