Dog Bite Injury LawyerYour Trusted Dog Bite Injury Attorney
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, infections, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma. California has strict liability laws that hold dog owners responsible for bites in most situations. Our attorneys represent dog bite injury victims across Redding and Northern California.
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Dog Bite VictimsCalifornia's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
Most states require dog bite victims to prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous, giving every dog essentially one free bite before liability attaches. California is different. Under Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are strictly liable the moment their dog bites someone, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten or shown aggression before.
This is a significant legal advantage for bite victims in California. The owner's knowledge, the dog's history, and the breed are all largely irrelevant. What matters is that the bite occurred and you were lawfully in the location where it happened.
What You Need to Prove:
A dog bit you — The injury must result from an actual bite, not a knock-down, scratch, or other dog-related incident (though those may still support a negligence claim).
You were in a public place — Or you were lawfully on private property as a guest, delivery worker, mail carrier, or with permission. Trespassers receive less protection.
You did not provoke the dog — Intentional provocation is an affirmative defense the owner must prove. Accidental, innocent contact does not constitute provocation under California law.
You suffered damages — Physical injury, medical expenses, scarring, emotional distress, lost wages, or other measurable harm resulting from the bite.
Common Locations for Dog Bites
Dog bites in Shasta County happen in a wide range of settings and California's strict liability law applies to virtually all of them as long as you were lawfully present.
Neighbor's Property
Many dog bites in Redding occur when visiting a neighbor's home. Being a social guest makes you a lawful visitor. The owner's homeowner's insurance is typically the source of recovery.
Retail Stores & Businesses
Dogs brought into pet-friendly businesses, or tied outside storefronts, can bite customers. The business owner may share liability alongside the dog owner in these situations.
Public Parks & Trails
Public parks, trails, and other outdoor recreation areas throughout Northern California are frequent sites of dog bite incidents, especially when dogs are off-leash or not properly controlled by their owners.
While Making Deliveries
Mail carriers, UPS, FedEx, and Amazon drivers are among the most frequently bitten workers in the country. Delivery workers are lawfully on property and fully protected by Civil Code § 3342.
Public Sidewalks & Streets
Children are the most common victims of dog bites, often suffering facial wounds, scarring, and emotional trauma from attacks, which can require medical treatment and psychological support.
Dog Parks
Incidents at off-leash dog parks involve complex liability questions. The owner of an attacking dog remains strictly liable under Civil Code § 3342 regardless of the off-leash environment.
What to do after a crashSteps That Protect Your Dog Bite Injury Claim
The actions you take in the hours and days after a dog bite can significantly affect what you recover. Follow these steps to protect your injury claim.
01
Seek Medical Care
Dog bites can cause infections and serious injuries. Seek medical treatment immediately.
02
Report the Dog Bite
Report the dog bite to local animal control or law enforcement so there is an official report.
03
Document Everything
Take photographs of the injuries, the location, the dog, and obtain the dog owner’s information.
04
Contact an Attorney
Before speaking to insurance companies, contact a dog bite attorney in Redding.
Never give a recorded statement to an insurance company without legal counsel. Insurance companies often try to minimize dog bite injury claims. Contact Landsem Law Office first, at no cost to you.
Your CompensationTypes of Compensation in Dog Bite Cases
California law allows dog bite injury victims to recover a broad range of economic and non-economic damages from the dog owner or responsible party.
Emergency medical care and hospitalization
Surgery, wound care and follow-up treatment
Reconstructive and plastic surgery
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Rabies treatment and infection management
Future medical costs for ongoing care
Lost wages during recovery
Reduced earning capacity (for serious injuries)
Wrongful death damages (for surviving family)
Scarring, disfigurement and emotional harm
Non-economic damages are often the largest component of a dog bite claim — particularly in cases involving facial scarring, permanent disfigurement, PTSD, and lasting fear of dogs (cynophobia). California does not cap these damages in most personal injury cases.
In cases involving children, damages may also include the cost of psychological counseling, the impact on educational development, and lifetime pain and suffering calculated over a much longer span than an adult claim. We work with medical and psychological experts to build a complete picture of your total losses.
In egregious cases, such as an owner who knew their dog was dangerous and failed to restrain it, punitive damages under Civil Code § 3294 may also be available.
Frequently Asked QuestionsDog Bite Questions
This FAQ offers general guidance under California law and is not a substitute for advice about your specific situation. Before signing anything, speak with a dog bite lawyer in Redding who can protect your rights and fight for full compensation you deserve.
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In California, you generally have two years from the date of the dog bite injury to file a personal injury claim. If the dog bite occurred on government property, a government claim may need to be filed within six months.
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California has strict liability dog bite laws, which means the dog owner is usually responsible for injuries caused by their dog, even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. There are limited exceptions such as trespassing or provoking the dog.
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After a dog bite, seek medical attention immediately, report the bite to animal control, take photographs of injuries and the location, get the dog owner’s information, and contact a dog bite attorney before speaking to insurance companies.
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Dog bite claims are usually paid through homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance, not directly by the dog owner personally. Many people are hesitant to file a claim against someone they know, but the insurance policy typically covers the injury.
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Most dog bite injury cases settle through insurance claims, especially when liability is clear under California strict liability laws. Settlement amounts depend on injuries, scarring, medical bills, and emotional trauma.
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Children are the most common victims of dog bite injuries and often suffer serious injuries to the face, head, and neck. Dog bite cases involving children often result in higher settlements due to scarring and emotional trauma.
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The value of a dog bite case depends on medical expenses, future medical treatment, scarring, emotional trauma, lost wages, and the severity of injuries. Dog bite cases involving permanent scarring or surgery often result in significant settlements.
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Even if the dog owner does not have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation through personal assets or other applicable insurance policies. A dog bite attorney can investigate all possible sources of compensation, including landlord insurance policies, property insurance, or other liability coverage that may apply to the dog bite injury claim.