California Dog Bite Law Is on Your Side — We Help You Use It

Under California Civil Code Section 3342, dog owners are strictly liable when their dog bites someone. That means you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had bitten before. If the bite happened, the owner is responsible. As a dog bite lawyer serving San Diego, Brennan Quigley built his practice on exactly these cases — straightforward in law, but meaningful in impact on real people's lives.

What California's Strict Liability Law Means for Your Claim

California's dog bite law is one of the strongest in the country for victims. Strict liability means the legal presumption of fault is already established the moment the bite occurs. You do not need a bite history, a prior complaint, or any evidence that the owner was negligent. The dog bit you — that is the threshold.

The Owner's Defenses Are Limited

Dog owners can raise two primary defenses under California law: provocation and trespassing. Both require the owner to prove affirmative facts — that you provoked the dog, or that you were unlawfully on their property. In most residential bite cases, neither defense applies. We evaluate your specific circumstances and tell you plainly where you stand.

San Diego County Animal Services Bite Records

San Diego County Animal Services keeps official records of dog bite incidents and prior bite history. These records can be requested and used as supporting evidence in your claim — particularly when the owner disputes the circumstances or claims the dog had no history of aggression. Knowing how to access and use these records is part of how we build a thorough case.

What Your Damages Can Include

Dog bite damages go beyond the initial medical bill. A full claim can include:

 

  • Emergency and follow-up medical treatment
  • Infection treatment and wound care
  • Future scar revision or reconstructive surgery
  • Physical therapy and ongoing care
  • Psychological trauma and emotional distress
  • Lost wages during recovery
  • Pain and suffering

 

Scars and trauma do not always show their full cost right away. We help you account for what is ahead, not just what has already happened.

The Claim Goes to Their Insurance — Not to Them Personally

This is the detail that stops many bite victims from calling a lawyer. The dog owner is your neighbor, your friend, your family member — and you do not want to damage that relationship. Here is what most people do not know: dog bite claims in California are almost always paid by the owner's homeowners or renters insurance policy. You are not filing a lawsuit against your neighbor personally. You are filing a claim with their insurance carrier. The relationship stays separate from the legal process.

When a Child Is Bitten — What Parents Need to Know

Children account for a disproportionate share of serious dog bite injuries, and the consequences are often more severe. A bite to the face, neck, or hands of a child can cause permanent scarring, nerve damage, and lasting emotional trauma. Children are also less able to advocate for themselves during the claims process — which is why having a parent and an attorney working together matters.

 

In California, the statute of limitations for a minor's personal injury claim is tolled until the child turns 18. That means you have time to pursue a claim even if your child's injuries are still being treated or their long-term prognosis is unclear. We work with families throughout San Diego on child injury cases, and we take the time to explain every step in plain language.

How We Handle Dog Bite Cases in San Diego

We keep our caseload small by design. When you work with us, you have direct access to Brennan — not a paralegal, not a case manager, not a junior associate. Brennan spent years on the defense side of personal injury litigation, representing insurance companies. He knows how adjusters evaluate bite claims, where they look to minimize payouts, and what evidence makes a claim impossible to undervalue.

 

Our process is straightforward: we review your incident, gather the medical records and any available animal services documentation, assess the full scope of your damages, and handle all communication with the insurance carrier. You focus on recovering. We handle the rest.

Dog Bite Scenarios We See Most Often in San Diego

Dog attacks happen in a wide range of circumstances, and California's strict liability law applies across most of them. We regularly handle cases involving:

 

  • Neighborhood and residential bites, including incidents involving familiar dogs
  • Apartment complex and rental property attacks where a landlord may share liability
  • Dog park and off-leash area incidents
  • Delivery worker, mail carrier, and service provider bites
  • Bites that occur during a visit to the dog owner's home
  • Attacks involving children at parks, playgrounds, or school zones

 

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, call us. The consultation is free, and we will tell you honestly what we see.

Ready to Talk About What Happened?

You do not need to have all the answers before you call. You need one conversation with someone who will listen and tell you the truth about your options. Our consultations are free, there is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Car accident scene: White SUV damaged, black SUV overturned, bystanders, urban setting.
Watercolor illustration of green parsley sprig.

Dog Bite Questions We Hear Most

  • What if the dog bit me while I was on the owner's property?

    Being on the owner's property does not disqualify your claim. California's strict liability law applies whether the bite occurred in a public place or on private property, as long as you were lawfully present — meaning you were invited, had permission, or had a legal right to be there. An uninvited trespasser has a much harder case, but a guest, a neighbor who knocked on the door, or a delivery worker does not.

  • What if the owner says the dog never bit anyone before?

    It does not matter under California law. Strict liability means the owner cannot escape responsibility by pointing to the dog's prior good behavior. The "one free bite" rule applies in some other states — it does not apply here. The bite itself establishes liability, regardless of history.

  • What if the bite happened at a dog park or off-leash area?

    Off-leash areas add complexity, but they do not automatically eliminate your claim. The dog owner still owns the animal and can still be held responsible. The specific circumstances — whether you provoked the dog, whether the park had posted rules about aggressive animals — matter. We evaluate these cases individually.

  • What if my injuries seem minor right now?

    Dog bites carry a real risk of infection, including serious bacterial infections that can require hospitalization. Puncture wounds can damage nerves and tendons that are not immediately apparent. Facial bites can result in scarring that requires future surgical revision. Before you accept any settlement offer, it is worth having an attorney review what your full damages could look like — not just what they look like today.

  • How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in California?

    In most cases, California's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury claim. For children, the clock generally does not start until they turn 18. Do not wait to find out where you stand — evidence gets harder to gather and memories fade. The sooner you call, the better positioned your case will be.

Speak With a San Diego Dog Bite Attorney Today

If you or your child was injured in a dog attack, we want to hear what happened. We serve clients throughout San Diego and the surrounding communities, and we handle every case with the same direct, personal attention. There are no upfront costs and no fees unless we win.