Dog Bite Attorneys in Orange County
One minute you’re on your way to the park, and the next you’re on the ground with an aggressive dog sinking its teeth into your leg. Dog bites are unfortunately quite common, resulting in a total cost of $98.6 million to insurance companies every year.
If you get bitten by a dog, you must seek immediate medical care and find out if you’re entitled to compensation.
Choosing the best Orange County dog bite attorney for your claim is important if you want to get maximum compensation.
Our list only includes local attorneys we’ve verified are local to Orange County. Contact one of the firms listed below to schedule a free consultation regarding your claim.
Orange County Dog Bite Lawyers:
4220 Von Karman Avenue Newport Beach, CA 92660
Helpful Information About Choosing an Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer
- You can research the Bar license status, suspensions or reprimands of an attorney at the California Bar Association website.
- Typically, you have only two years from the date of the dog bite, or discovery of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations for personal injury claims. There are exceptions and rules for this, so you need to talk to a local attorney for details.
- Dog bite lawyers are paid on contingency, typically 33% – 45% (plus case costs).
- Some attorneys will be able to meet with you at their office, your home, the hospital, or over Zoom. It’s important to ask these questions when you call.
How Much is a Dog Bite Case Worth?
The value of a California dog bite claim depends on the facts of the attack, the seriousness of the injuries, the amount of medical treatment required, and whether the victim is left with lasting physical or emotional harm. While every case is different, dog bite settlements often fall into general ranges based on injury severity.
Minor dog bite injuries may resolve in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 when the victim suffers shallow puncture wounds, limited medical treatment, little or no visible scarring, and a relatively fast recovery.
Moderate dog bite injuries may result in settlements between $30,000 and $75,000, particularly when the bite causes infection, nerve irritation or damage, noticeable scarring, or requires follow-up care beyond the initial emergency visit.
Severe dog bite injuries can reach $75,000 to $150,000 or more when the victim is left with permanent scars, disfigurement, deep tissue damage, or needs multiple procedures to repair the injury.
Catastrophic dog bite cases may be worth $150,000 to several million dollars when the attack causes severe muscle damage, permanent nerve damage, major reconstructive surgery, disability, or long-term impairment.
In many dog bite cases, compensation is paid through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy rather than directly out of the owner’s pocket. California also applies a strict liability rule under Civil Code § 3342.
This means a dog owner may be legally responsible for injuries caused by a bite even if the dog had never bitten anyone before, provided the victim was in a public place or was lawfully on private property at the time of the attack.
It’s also worth noting that in some cases, dog bite injury claims may be resolved through mediation with the dog owner’s insurance company, rather than going to a jury trial.
An Orange County dog bite attorney can help you determine the potential value of your claim, and negotiate with the insurance company.
California Strict Liability Law
California is a strict liability state, which means that owners are liable for any damage their dog causes when it bites someone, even if it is their first time biting someone. In comparison, some states like Nevada and New Mexico have a “one bite” law which makes pet owners liable for damages if the dog has bitten someone before.
Under California law, owners are not strictly liable for a dog bite if someone is trespassing on the property. A pet sitter or dog walker is also not strictly liable but may be found negligent in their handling of the dog. If someone is bitten after taunting, harassing, or provoking the dog, the owner is not strictly liable.
State and county law dictates that any dog bite that breaks the skin must be quarantined for 10 days. In Orange County, dog owners must have a license for their dog. This may make it easier to identify the dog and get vet records if you are bitten.
What Happens to Dogs That Bite?
To start, the dog will be quarantined for 10 days and tested for rabies. Assuming that neither rabies nor any other illness show up during the quarantine, the dog will be released back to its owner.
In most cases, a dog who bites someone is not euthanized. If the dog has bitten at least two people, another party can request that the dog be euthanized. This includes the victim but may also include neighbors or local officials.
The dog may also be euthanized if it has been trained to attack or maim and bites someone once.
My Neighbor Will be Upset That I Filed a Homeowner’s Insurance Claim Because Their Dog Bit Me
Maintaining a good relationship with your neighbor whose dog bit you can be challenging, but it’s important to try to resolve the situation in a calm and diplomatic manner.
It’s possible that neighbors can have a civil relationship after a dog attack comes between them, but not always. This is a situation where you have to put your family’s needs above your relationship with your neighbor.
Dog Bite Attorney Near Me
The dog bite lawyers listed on this page serve cities near you in: Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Buena Park, Tustin, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, La Habra, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Brea, Ladera Ranch and all courts throughout Orange County and Southern California. If you or a family member was injured in an animal attack and need to talk to an attorney and get your questions answered, you need to talk to a lawyer today.
Find the Right Dog Bite Law Firm for Your Claim
You’ll want to connect with an Orange County dog bite attorney with extensive knowledge of dog bite laws, determining whether or not a dog has bitten before, and proving the severity of dog bite injuries. These injuries can be extremely painful and leave you with lifelong scars, so don’t wait to hire a lawyer. Use our website to find a local, qualified Orange County dog bite attorney near you.
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