Valencia Dog Bite Lawyers

When an uncontrolled or aggressive dog bites you, it is a harrowing experience for several reasons. You need to take steps to protect your well-being, which means receiving medical attention and considering your legal options. You might be able to receive fair compensation to pay for your damages from the dog’s owner and/or the property owner for failing to restrain the animal.

Animal attack cases are usually hotly contested and complicated. To make sense of yours, team up with the Valencia dog bite attorneys of McGee Lerer Ogrin. We bring decades of combined legal experience to every case we accept, so you know you can trust us with your case. 

Injured by a dog and unsure of your legal rights? Speak with a trusted Valencia dog bite attorney today to explore your options for compensation. Call McGee Lerer Ogrin today at (310) 231-9717 or contact us online!

Common Causes of Dog Bites

Understanding why dog bites happen can help illustrate how liability is determined and why certain precautions are expected from dog owners. Many attacks occur when the owner fails to restrain or adequately supervise the animal. Common causes include:

• Lack of leash or enclosure in public or private spaces
• Poor training or socialization leads to unpredictable aggression
• Protective or territorial behavior when strangers approach the dog’s home
• Startling or provoking the dog, often due to loud noises or sudden movements
• Neglect or abuse by the owner, which can lead to heightened fear or aggression

While not every bite results from apparent negligence, many could be prevented with responsible pet ownership. When owners fail to take those steps, they can—and often should—be held accountable for the harm that follows.

California Strict Dog Bite Liability

You might have heard that you cannot file an injury claim against a dog owner if you were the first person their dog ever bit. This is known as the “one-bite rule.” However, California is not a one-bite rule state. Instead, it is a strict liability state.

Under strict liability, a dog owner can be held liable for any damages caused by their pet, regardless of that pet’s past or personality. You could be bitten by a dog that had only been sweet and gentle with everyone else who encountered it and still have a chance to demand compensation.

In a dog bite claim filed in California, you can seek damages related to:

• Medical care
• Lost wages
• Pain, suffering, and disability
• Mental traumatization

Why You Should File a Claim

When we hear from a dog bite victim, they often say they don’t want to get the dog or its owner in trouble. While this is admirable, it is a little misguided. Your dog bite claim isn’t causing any new problems. It is only seeking to fix issues you are already dealing with, like your finances that have taken a hit due to your medical bills stacking up.

The truth is that when you file a dog bite claim, you won’t likely be filing against the dog owner directly. Instead, you will file against their homeowner’s insurance company. Such policies usually have a provision that covers any harm done to visitors on the property, including due to animal attacks.

Furthermore, no California law says a dog must be destroyed because it bites someone. How to handle a dog after a dog bite incident is determined on a case-by-case basis. Judges will often order the dog owner to enroll the animal in behavioral training courses or to always keep it on a leash and in the owner’s yard before considering a mandate to destroy the animal.

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in California

If a dog has injured you, it’s crucial to understand that your time to take legal action is limited. California's statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim — including those involving dog bites — is two years from the incident date. If you miss this deadline, your right to recover compensation could be permanently barred, regardless of how strong your case may be.

There are some exceptions, such as cases involving minors or circumstances where the injury wasn’t immediately apparent, but these are rare and require specific legal guidance. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better positioned you’ll be to preserve evidence, document your injuries, and meet the necessary deadlines.

Contact Our Valencia Dog Bite Attorneys Today

Our dog bite attorneys in Valencia are standing by to help you understand your options after someone’s dog bites you. Whether you were visiting a friend, in the park, or walking down the street when the attack happened, you shouldn’t be the one who has to pay for its consequences out of your own finances. With us leading the way, you can confidently pursue all the compensation owed to you.

Take the next step toward recovery. Contact a skilled Valencia dog bite attorney now for a consultation!