Skip to main content

San Diego Dog Bite Lawyers

The Advocates work with victims of dog bites to secure a fair amount of compensation for their injuries. Client relationships are our priority, and we will always strive to provide you with compassionate, expert legal representation.

A Dog Bite Attorney Can Help Assist You with Your Case

Many households in San Diego County own dogs. People are out walking their canine friends on public property across the city. The high numbers of dogs naturally lead to more dog bite injuries.

The Advocates are San Diego dog bite lawyers ready to help anyone in California with a dog bite claim. If you are the victim of aggressive behavior from a dog, then reach out to our law firm for a free consultation.

Personal injuries from dog bites might not seem worthy of legal representation. However, serious injuries are often sustained in dog bite incidents such as disfigurement or nerve damage and, therefore, deserve justice for damages incurred.

With The Advocates, you have an expert legal team ready to take on your dog bite claim, get you compensation for medical bills, and guide you through the legal process.

The Next Steps in Your California Dog Bite Case

Injury

Immediately after being bitten, assess your injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Medical Records

Keep track of all treatment you receive during recovery

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.

For more information on how settlements and payments work, please see our contingency fee information page.

If the dog attack resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced Advocate attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.

Your attorney will gather evidence, monitor your medical treatment progress, ensure you keep an accurate record of all relevant documents and facts to support your claim, negotiate and correspond with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary. 

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will zealously pursue your claim through resolution. 

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process depends on many factors, including but not limited to the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and much more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which, if you do not resolve or file a lawsuit within the prescribed time, you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you focus on healing. Generally, once all evidence has been gathered and your medical treatment has been completed or you are back to feeling yourself again, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to secure a settlement on your behalf.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a lawsuit in the litigation phase. Your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Dog Bite Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their injuries, and we are prepared to do the same for you.

We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters
  • Obtain a fair resolution of your claim

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

California Law on Dogs

golden retriever out for a walk on a leash

Leash laws in San Diego 

California does not have statewide dog bite laws requiring dog owners to restrain their pets. That is left to local governments. San Diego has various local ordinances requiring pet owners to keep their dogs restrained with a leash. Whoever is holding the leash must be able to control the dog.

What happens if a dog bites someone?

Most states have the one-bite rule, which holds dog owners responsible for injuries their dogs inflict if they know about the animal’s aggressive behavior. California does not follow this rule.

California has strict liability for dog bites. Dog owners are responsible for animal attacks by their pets in public places, even if it’s the first time a dog has bitten someone, subject to some exceptions. Contact an Advocate attorney to determine if you have a case.  

Under liability laws, victims can sue for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Loss of the use of a limb
  • Disfigurement
  • Emotional trauma
Medical bill from the hospital, concept of rising medical cost.
Frustrated dog shows warning signs before biting

Situations where dog bites most often occur 

Dog attacks often occur quick as a bolt of lightning, coming unexpectedly and leaving you unprepared. Being prepared as best as you can is helpful. 

  • The dog is poorly trained: A dog is an investment requiring proper training and socialization. Pet owners must take the time to train their dogs. Failure to do so may result in a pet that will bark, lunge, and try to bite people and other animals.
  • A human tries to break up a dog fight: Dog fights look and sound terrifying. Do everything you can not to get physically involved in a dog fight, for the dogs may think you are combatant; if you must do something because, for example, your dog is involved, know what to do.
  • A stranger approaches a dog: Dogs sometimes feel fear and anxiety around people they do not know. Their response to these intense feelings is usually to defend themselves and may lead to lashing out.

The most common dog bite injuries 

Even if you do not think you have severe injuries from a dog bite, you should still seek medical care. According to the California Department of Public Health, five million people are bitten by dogs every year. Dog bite injuries can be more severe than initially thought due to rare but still prevalent diseases such as rabies. 

There are the common injuries dog bite victims face: 

  • Punctured skin
  • Broken bones
  • Emotional trauma
  • Eye and face injuries
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Bruising and lacerations
  • Tissue and nerve damage
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

Essential Information for Dog Bite Victims

Renters Insurance form on a table and keys.

Does insurance cover dog bites? 

Injuries from aggressive dogs are usually covered by renters’ or homeowners’ insurance. These insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability up to certain limits. If an injury claim from a dog bite exceeds the limit, the dog owner is usually responsible for any additional damages.  

What is the statute of limitations for dog bites? 

Dog bite claims generally fall under negligence personal injury law. Therefore, a dog bite victim generally has two years from the incident to file a claim.  

man using smartphone taken dog sitting photo with blurred and sunlight background

Steps to take after getting bit by a dog 

  • Report the incident to the police.
  • Contact animal control
  • Give a detailed description of the animal(s) or send photos
  • Provide owner information, such as name, address, phone
  • Provide witness information
  • If you cannot identify the dog owner, try to get information like descriptions, or physical features
  • Provide the exact location and time of the incident
  • Give a brief description of the incident
  • Contact your physician
  • Call The Advocates

When Should I Hire a California Dog Bite Injury Attorney?

Our legal advice is to call an injury lawyer soon after a dog bites you. Your medical bills will stack up quickly, and seeking maximum compensation through the proper legal channels takes time. Two years to file a dog bite claim may seem like plenty of time, but it flies by when paired with everything else you must do during the recovery process.

We will start with a free case evaluation when you call The Advocates at our San Diego office. Our lawyers will learn all the details of your case and then explain your legal rights.

We specialize in personal injury claims resulting from dog attacks. These types of incidents usually result in serious injuries requiring extensive medical care. Add to that the emotional trauma that can occur after the incident, and you have a recipe for a slow and potentially difficult road to recovery.

Our law office’s priority is to ensure the legal process for your injury claim is as painless as possible. You deserve a fair settlement for your dog bite case and a San Diego dog bite lawyer who can make that happen. You deserve an Advocate.

By clicking the button below, I consent to giving my information to The Advocates Injury Attorneys and agree to all privacy policies that are included on this page. I agree to receive SMS/text messages. Message and data rates may apply. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.