Personal Injury
Dog Bite Lawyers
California holds dog owners responsible for most bites, whether or not the dog had ever bitten anyone before. We pursue the owner’s insurance so your medical bills, scarring, and recovery are accounted for. Free consultation. No fee and no costs unless we recover.
Dog bites
The owner is usually responsible
Under California Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is liable when the dog bites someone in a public place or someone lawfully on private property, even if the dog had never shown aggression before. You do not have to prove the owner was careless.
Dog bite claims are usually paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not out of the owner’s pocket. Montanez Yu presents the claim, negotiates with the insurer, and documents your medical costs, lost income, scarring, and the emotional effects of the attack. If the insurer will not pay a fair amount, we are prepared to go to court.
After a bite
Get medical care promptly
Identify the dog and its owner
Ask for the dog’s rabies vaccination status
Photograph your injuries as they heal
Report the bite to local animal control
Keep every medical record and bill
What we document
What a dog bite claim covers
01
Medical treatment
Emergency care, wound treatment, antibiotics, rabies shots if needed, and follow-up visits, including future care your doctors expect you to need.
02
Scarring
Bites to the face, hands, and arms can leave permanent scars. We document them with photos over time and, where appropriate, medical opinions on future treatment.
03
Lost income
Time away from work for treatment and recovery, and any longer-term effect of the injury on your ability to earn a living.
04
Pain and fear
Pain, anxiety around dogs, and disrupted sleep are part of the claim, for adults and children alike, and we make sure they are documented.
Common questions
Dog bite questions
What if the dog did not bite me?
Section 3342 covers bites. Injuries from a dog that knocked you down or chased you into traffic can still support a claim, usually based on the owner’s negligence or a local leash law.
The dog belongs to a friend or relative. Do I still have a claim?
Often, yes. The claim is typically paid by the owner’s insurance, which exists to cover exactly this situation. We can explain how it works before you decide anything.
How long do I have?
Most dog bite claims in California must be filed within two years. If a government-owned dog, such as a police dog, was involved, different rules and a six-month claim deadline can apply.
What does it cost?
The consultation is free, and there is nothing to pay up front. No fee and no costs unless we recover. Call (951) 444-7407 to talk with an attorney.