California’s strict liability dog bite law should make these cases straightforward-owners are liable when their dogs bite people lawfully present, regardless of the dog’s history or owner’s knowledge. Yet insurance companies fight claims aggressively, arguing victims trespassed, provoked dogs, or somehow deserved bites. Overcoming these defenses requires attorneys who understand dog bite law and won’t accept victim-blaming narratives.
Strict Liability Protects Victims
Civil Code Section 3342 creates owner liability for injuries their dogs cause, whether or not dogs showed previous aggression. This differs from “one bite” states where owners aren’t liable until dogs demonstrate dangerous tendencies. California protects victims from first attacks.
However, strict liability doesn’t apply if victims trespassed or provoked dogs. Insurance companies immediately investigate whether victims somehow “deserved” bites-even when allegations are absurd. They claim victims teased dogs, made sudden movements, got too close, or triggered attacks. California law says minor provocation doesn’t excuse attacks-provocation must be substantial and unreasonable.
1. Avian Law Group
Avian Law Group represents Burbank dog bite victims understanding these cases involve both physical injuries requiring extensive treatment and psychological trauma lasting lifetimes. Their approach combines aggressive compensation pursuit with compassionate client support.
Investigation documents attacks, proves lawful presence, and counters provocation claims. They obtain animal control reports, witness statements, medical records, injury photographs (immediate and healing), and prior incident reports showing dog aggression history.
Proving lawful presence is usually straightforward-attacked on public sidewalks, in parks, or on property with permission. But insurance companies sometimes argue trespass. Attorneys counter with evidence like mail carrier documentation, meter reader records, or social invitations.
Common Burbank scenarios include home attacks (visitors bitten by resident dogs), neighborhood attacks (dogs escaping yards), and delivery worker attacks (mail carriers, package delivery bitten on properties).
Injuries range from minor punctures to catastrophic harm. Serious cases involve facial disfigurement (particularly devastating for children), permanent scarring requiring plastic surgery, nerve damage causing sensation loss, infections, psychological trauma and PTSD, and rare cases of fatalities (wrongful death claims).
Medical treatment often includes emergency room care, rabies prophylaxis if vaccination status unknown, surgical repair, plastic surgery for scarring, wound care and infection monitoring, psychological counseling, and revision surgeries.
They calculate damages: medical expenses (past and future surgeries), lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent scarring, psychological trauma and therapy, and in child cases, developmental impacts.
2. The Dominguez Firm
The Dominguez Firm handles dog bite cases understanding strict liability and insurance coverage issues. Resources include medical experts documenting injuries and animal behavior specialists if needed.
3. Citywide Law Group
Citywide Law Group provides dedicated dog bite representation emphasizing serious injury cases. They investigate attacks thoroughly, document injuries comprehensively, and challenge provocation defenses aggressively.
4. West Coast Trial Lawyers
West Coast Trial Lawyers handles dog bite cases with litigation readiness motivating settlements. Experience with facial scarring and disfigurement helps maximize compensation for permanent impacts.
5. The Reeves Law Group
The Reeves Law Group serves dog bite victims with systematic case handling addressing immediate injuries and long-term impacts. They coordinate medical documentation, expert consultation, insurance negotiation, and trial preparation.
Protecting Your Rights
After attacks, seek medical attention even if bites seem minor. Report to animal control creating official records. Document everything: injury photos, dog and owner information, witness contacts, attack location, and your account while fresh.
Don’t accept quick settlements without attorney consultation. Initial offers undervalue claims, especially when future plastic surgery may be needed.
California’s two-year statute of limitations applies. However, children have until their 20th birthday to file for attacks as minors. Don’t wait-evidence deteriorates.
Comparative negligence applies-if partially at fault, damages reduce by percentage. However, insurance companies exaggerate victim fault. Attorneys counter with evidence showing lawful presence and absence of provocation.
