California holds dog owners strictly liable when their animal bites someone. You do not need to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had a history of aggression. If you or your child was bitten by a dog in Sacramento, Phoong Law will pursue full compensation for your injuries, scarring, and emotional trauma.
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Dog bites carry high infection risk and can cause deep tissue damage, nerve injury, and scarring. Go to an emergency room or urgent care. Request documentation of every wound, especially photographs taken by medical staff.
Sacramento County Animal Care requires reports of all dog bites. Contact them at 311 or through the County website. An official report creates a record of the incident and triggers a quarantine hold on the animal.
Get the owner’s name, address, phone number, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information. If there were witnesses, collect their contact details. If the dog is unknown or stray, note the breed, size, color, and location.
Dog bite claims can involve homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, or landlord liability. Call us at 866-GOT-PAIN before accepting any offer. We make sure you recover the full value of your injuries and trauma.
Under California Civil Code Section 3342, dog owners are strictly liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has ever shown aggression before. Unlike many other states, California does not give dog owners a ‘first bite free.’ If the dog bites someone who is lawfully on public or private property, the owner is responsible for all resulting damages. Sacramento County reports hundreds of dog bite incidents each year, with attacks occurring in parks, neighborhoods, on sidewalks, and at private residences. Phoong Law has successfully handled dog bite cases involving children, mail carriers, joggers, and visitors, recovering compensation for medical treatment, plastic surgery, psychological counseling, and more.
Dog bite injuries range from puncture wounds to disfiguring facial lacerations and permanent nerve damage. California’s strict liability framework means the owner pays for all damages their animal caused, including:
ER treatment, wound care, antibiotics, rabies prophylaxis, plastic surgery for scarring, and follow-up procedures. Dog bite wounds often require multiple surgeries to minimize disfigurement.
Recovery from serious bites, especially those involving the hands or face, can keep you out of work for weeks or months. Lost income is fully recoverable.
Physical pain, permanent scarring, fear of dogs, PTSD, nightmares, and anxiety are all compensable. Children are particularly susceptible to lasting psychological trauma after a dog attack.
Children suffer the highest rates of dog bite injuries, often to the face and head. Damages include medical care, psychological counseling, future reconstructive procedures, and the emotional impact on the child and family.
Dog attacks happen in a variety of settings and involve different liability scenarios. Our attorneys handle every type of dog bite case and know how to identify all responsible parties and insurance coverage.
Visiting a friend, neighbor, or family member and being bitten by their dog. The homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy typically covers these claims, often with significant policy limits.
Dog parks, trails along the American River Parkway, and Sacramento neighborhood sidewalks are common locations for off-leash dog attacks. Owners who violate leash laws face additional liability.
Children under 10 are the most frequent dog bite victims and suffer the most severe facial and head injuries. We pursue maximum compensation for medical care, counseling, and reconstructive procedures.
Postal workers, Amazon drivers, and food delivery personnel face elevated dog bite risk. Workers’ compensation and third-party liability claims may both apply in these cases.
When a landlord knows a tenant’s dog is dangerous and fails to act, the landlord may share liability. We investigate lease agreements, prior complaints, and landlord knowledge to build these claims.
Owners who allow aggressive dogs off-leash or fail to properly contain them face heightened liability. Sacramento County’s animal control records can provide evidence of prior complaints and violations.
Dog bite cases involve unique legal and emotional challenges, especially when children are victims. Our attorneys combine legal expertise with genuine compassion to help families recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
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When you hire Phoong Law for a dog bite case, we handle the insurance companies, coordinate your medical care, document your injuries and scarring, and build a claim designed to recover every dollar available. Here is how we work.
No. California is a strict liability state for dog bites. The owner is responsible even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and has no known history of aggression.
As long as you were lawfully on the property, whether as a guest, delivery person, or service provider, the owner is liable. Trespassers may have limited rights, but lawful visitors are fully protected.
Yes, if the landlord knew or had reason to know the dog was dangerous. Prior complaints from neighbors, breed restriction violations in the lease, and animal control records can all support landlord liability.
Children can recover damages for medical treatment, plastic surgery, psychological counseling, pain and suffering, and future reconstructive procedures. Parents can also claim damages for their own emotional distress and financial losses.
The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the bite. For minor children, the deadline is extended until two years after they turn 18. However, filing promptly ensures evidence is preserved.
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency. If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. Your consultation is always free.
Every day that passes makes your case harder to prove. Get your free, no-obligation case review right now and find out what your claim is really worth.
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