In California, a dog owner can be held responsible for a bite even if the dog never showed aggression before. Many people don’t realize that, and insurers rarely mention it. An Orange County dog bite lawyer at Glotzer & Leib LLP can explain how this rule applies to your injury and pursue compensation from the owner’s insurance.
Our Anaheim office represents dog bite victims and their families throughout Orange County. Your consultation is free, and we’re available 24/7 at 747-241-8288.
No. California uses pure comparative negligence, established by the California Supreme Court in Li v. Yellow Cab Co (1975), so a cyclist can recover damages even when a jury finds the rider bears most of the blame. The award is reduced by the rider’s percentage of fault.
Almost every cyclist claim starts with the driver’s insurer saying the rider caused it. You were going too fast, you weren’t visible, and you swerved. We treat those claims as something the insurer has to prove, and we gather the evidence to answer them.
Dog bite claims often involve neighbors, friends, or family, which can make people hesitate to act. We handle the claim with the insurance company so you can focus on healing, not on an awkward conversation.
No lawyer can promise a specific outcome, and every case depends on its facts. Our dog bite lawyers in Anaheim give you an honest look at yours. Call 747-241-8288 today.
Section 3342 applies to bites. Plenty of dog-related injuries don’t involve a bite at all, and those claims follow a different path.
When a dog bites you in a public place or while you’re lawfully on private property, strict liability generally applies. The owner’s lack of prior warning signs doesn’t matter.
A large dog that jumps and knocks over an older adult, a dog that chases a cyclist into a crash, or a dog that causes a fall on a sidewalk can all cause serious harm. These claims usually proceed under ordinary negligence, meaning we show the owner failed to use reasonable care, such as ignoring a leash law or letting the dog roam.
Negligence claims take more proof than strict liability claims, but they can be just as valuable. If a dog caused a vehicle or bicycle crash, your own auto policy’s uninsured motorist coverage may also matter when the owner can’t pay.
Most dog bites happen in ordinary places, often close to home. The setting can affect who is responsible and which insurance policy applies.
An attack at an apartment complex may involve both the property owner and the dog’s owner. A bite at a business may bring in the business’s commercial policy. We look at the full setting so no responsible party is overlooked.
Strict liability is powerful, but it isn’t unlimited. We take these defenses seriously and prepare for them from the start.
A defense on paper isn’t the same as a defense that holds up. We gather witness statements, photos, and animal control records to test every claim the owner makes.
Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. These policies usually include personal liability coverage that can pay for medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Coverage isn’t always simple. Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a prior bite history, and some owners carry no insurance. When that happens, we look for other sources, such as an umbrella policy, the owner’s personal assets, or another party who shares responsibility.
A landlord can be liable for a tenant’s dog in some situations. California courts, starting with Uccello v. Laudenslayer (1975), have generally required that the landlord actually knew the dog was dangerous and had the ability to prevent the harm, such as by ending the lease.
Dog sitters, walkers, and boarding businesses may also bear responsibility when their own carelessness led to an attack. We identify everyone who had control of the dog when you were hurt.
Even with strict liability on your side, the owner’s insurer will look for ways to pay less. These are the arguments we see most often:
Scars can take many months to mature, and some need revision surgery years later. We work with your doctors to understand the long-term picture before any settlement, so the insurer can’t close your claim on its own timeline.
In Orange County, dog bites that break the skin must be reported to animal control. OC Animal Care handles field services for Anaheim, Fullerton, Orange, Huntington Beach, Tustin, and other contract cities, as well as unincorporated areas of the county.
Some Orange County cities run their own animal services, so the reporting agency depends on where the bite happened. We can help you figure out which one to contact.
A dog that bites a person and breaks the skin must be quarantined for 10 days so officials can watch for signs of rabies. Depending on the dog’s vaccination status and the circumstances, the quarantine may take place at the owner’s home or at a shelter.
Orange County’s animal ordinance defines “potentially dangerous” and “vicious” dogs and sets out how the county makes those determinations. An investigation can lead to restrictions on how the owner keeps the dog, and the records from that process can support your claim.
Children are especially vulnerable to serious bites. Because of their height, bites to young children often land on the face, head, and neck.
Facial injuries can require reconstructive surgery and scar revision as a child grows. Many children also develop fear, nightmares, or post-traumatic stress, and that emotional harm deserves full weight in the claim.
Deadlines for claims involving a child work differently. For most claims against private parties, Code of Civil Procedure Section 352 pauses the two-year filing period until the child turns 18. Claims against public entities follow separate, shorter rules.
Dog bite victims can pursue compensation for both the financial costs and the personal toll of the attack. Depending on the facts, damages may include:
Scarring is often the largest part of a dog bite claim and one of the most undervalued. We document how the injury looks and heals over time so the insurer can’t downplay it.
What you do in the first days after a bite can make a real difference. When possible, take these steps:
If you’ve already missed some of these steps, don’t worry. We can often fill in the gaps through animal control records, witnesses, and your medical providers.
Most Orange County dog bite lawsuits are filed in Orange County Superior Court. The court’s Central Justice Center in Santa Ana handles unlimited civil cases for every city in the county.
For adults, the general deadline to file is two years from the bite under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. Most claims settle without a lawsuit, but preparing as if the case could go to court is what moves insurers.
Here are answers to questions Orange County families often ask after a dog attack.
Yes. In most cases, the claim goes to the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance rather than coming out of their pocket. Many people are relieved to learn this protects the relationship.
Under California Civil Code Section 3342, a prior bite history generally doesn’t matter for a bite claim. The owner can be liable for a dog’s first bite.
Often, yes. A delivery worker who is lawfully on the property is generally protected by Section 3342. If you were hurt on the job, workers’ compensation may also apply, and the two claims can interact.
For a bite claim, strict liability can apply whether or not the dog was leashed. For non-bite injuries, a leash law violation can help show the owner was negligent.
Reporting a bite usually leads to a 10-day rabies quarantine, not the dog being put down. Further action depends on the investigation and the dog’s history.
You may have a claim for your own injuries. Civil Code Section 3342 covers bites to people, so if the attacking dog bit you while you tried to protect your pet, strict liability may apply. Harm to your dog is usually handled separately, often as a property or negligence claim for veterinary costs.
Yes. If a public entity may be responsible, such as for a bite involving a government-owned dog or a hazard on public property, a claim must generally be presented within six months under Government Code Section 911.2. That’s far shorter than the two-year deadline for most claims against private dog owners.
A dog attack can leave physical and emotional scars that last for years. Glotzer & Leib LLP will fight to hold the responsible party accountable and pursue the full compensation available under the law.
Consultations are free, and we’re here 24/7. Call 747-241-8288 to talk with an Orange County dog bite lawyer now.
GLOTZER & LEIB, LLP 1020 S Anaheim Blvd Ste 208, Anaheim, CA 92805
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
