Were you or a loved one bitten or attacked by a dog in Orange County, California? An Orange County dog bite lawyer at Fielding Law can explain your rights and help you seek compensation for your injuries. Contact our firm at 833.88.SHARK to schedule a free consultation.
Dog bites can cause lasting physical and emotional harm. Our client-focused legal team can investigate the attack, identify available insurance coverage, and help you decide how to move forward.
Why Choose Fielding Law for Help After a Dog Bite in Orange County, CA?
Fielding Law is a boutique personal injury law firm that provides focused, personal attention to people harmed by dog attacks. As trusted advocates, we understand that victims may be dealing with painful treatment, emotional trauma, visible scarring, and concerns about what comes next.
Our law office offers compassionate legal guidance without pressure or confusing legal language. We listen carefully, explain each stage of the claims process, and remain accessible when clients have questions.
With 33 years of combined legal experience and $98 million recovered for past clients, our seasoned Orange County personal injury lawyers are prepared to provide ethical and capable representation. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, but they reflect the care and preparation we bring to each case.
We believe injured people deserve clear and accessible legal support. Contact our Orange County dog bite attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your rights and options.
How Does California Dog Bite Law Work?
California generally holds a dog owner responsible when their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property. The injured person typically does not have to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the dog had bitten someone before.
To bring a claim under California’s strict liability dog bite statute, the injured person generally must show that:
- The defendant owned the dog.
- The dog bit the injured person.
- The bite occurred in a public place or while the person was lawfully on private property.
- The bite caused harm.
The law may apply even when the owner acted carefully or had no reason to expect an attack. However, defenses may arise when a person was trespassing, provoking the animal, or performing certain duties involving dogs.
Not every dog-related injury involves a bite. A large dog may knock someone down, chase a cyclist, or cause another type of accident. These cases may be based on negligence rather than the dog bite statute.
What Is My Orange County Dog Bite Case Worth?
There is no fixed value for a dog bite claim. The amount available depends on the facts of the attack, the extent of the injuries, and how those injuries affect the victim’s life.
Factors that may influence the value of a claim include:
- The location and severity of the wounds
- Whether surgery or stitches were required
- The extent of any scarring or disfigurement
- The need for future treatment
- Whether the victim can return to work
- The victim’s age
- The strength of the evidence
- The available insurance coverage
An insurance company may make an early offer before the full effects of the injury are known. Accepting a settlement generally ends the claim, even if more care is needed later. An Orange County personal injury attorney can review the evidence and help determine whether an offer accounts for current and future losses.
What Types of Compensation Are Available to Orange County Dog Bite Victims?
A person injured in a dog attack may seek compensatory damages for financial losses and the personal effects of the injury.
Economic damages may include:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital and surgical bills
- Wound care
- Prescription medication
- Plastic or reconstructive surgery
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Mental health treatment
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Other accident-related expenses
Bills, medical records, wage statements, and professional opinions may help prove these losses.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
These losses do not have a set price. Their value depends on the nature of the injury and how it affects the victim’s health, confidence, daily activities, and relationships.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer?
Fielding Law handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, the attorney’s fee is based on a percentage of the compensation recovered for the client.
Clients do not pay attorney’s fees at the beginning of the case. If the firm does not recover compensation, the client generally does not owe attorney’s fees.
The written fee agreement should explain the percentage charged, how case expenses are handled, and how the final recovery will be distributed. Our attorneys can review these terms and answer questions during a free consultation.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Am Partly at Fault for a Dog Bite in California?
It is possible because California uses a pure comparative fault system. An injured person may still recover compensation when their own actions contributed to an incident, but the recovery can be reduced by their percentage of responsibility.
For example, suppose a victim has $100,000 in damages but is found 20% responsible for the attack. The available recovery may be reduced to $80,000.
A dog owner or insurer may argue that the injured person:
- Provoked or teased the dog
- Ignored a warning
- Entered private property without permission
- Handled the dog in an unsafe way
- Contributed to the incident through other conduct
Young children may not be judged by the same standards as adults. The effect of comparative fault depends on the victim’s age, conduct, and the specific facts of the attack.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Orange County, California
Dog attacks can cause far more than small puncture wounds. Victims may suffer serious injuries when a dog bites repeatedly, knocks them to the ground, or attacks the face, hands, or neck.
Common dog bite injuries include:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Cuts and torn skin
- Nerve damage
- Muscle or tendon injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Infections
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Head injuries
- Emotional trauma
Children can be especially vulnerable because of their height and limited ability to protect themselves. Bites to the face may require stitches, reconstructive procedures, and long-term follow-up care.
What Causes Most Dog Attacks in California?
Dogs may bite because they are afraid, injured, guarding food or property, or reacting to an unfamiliar situation. However, owners are responsible for taking reasonable steps to control their animals and protect others.
Factors that may contribute to an attack include:
- Allowing a dog to roam without a leash
- Leaving a dog unsupervised around children
- Failing to repair a broken fence or gate
- Ignoring aggressive behavior
- Improper restraint
- Poor training or socialization
- Allowing guests to approach a fearful dog
- Failing to warn visitors about known behavior
- Leaving a dog in a stressful setting
A property owner, landlord, caretaker, or business may share responsibility in some cases. For example, a landlord could face a negligence claim if they knew about a dangerous dog and had the ability to address the risk.
Determining responsibility may require reviewing ownership records, leases, prior complaints, veterinary records, and animal control reports.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in California?
California generally gives an injured person two years to file a lawsuit for personal injuries caused by another party’s wrongful act or neglect. Missing the applicable deadline may prevent the victim from seeking compensation through the courts.
Different deadlines may apply in some cases. Claims involving a government entity may require action within a much shorter period. The victim’s age and other circumstances may also affect the time limit.
Waiting can make a case harder to prove. Surveillance recordings may be erased, witnesses may forget details, and records about the dog may become difficult to locate.
Speaking with an attorney early can help preserve evidence and determine which deadline applies.
Contact an Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer at Fielding Law for a Free Consultation
A dog bite can leave a victim with painful wounds, visible scars, and lasting fear. Understanding the claims process can help you make informed decisions about medical care, insurance issues, and your next steps.
Contact an Orange County dog bite attorney at Fielding Law to schedule a free consultation. Our legal team can listen to your concerns, review the circumstances of the attack, and explain the options that may apply.