Strict liability means what it says
Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is liable when their dog bites someone in public or lawfully on private property. You don't need to prove the dog was vicious or the owner careless. The bite is enough.
Children are most of these cases
Kids suffer the majority of serious dog bites, usually to the face. That means plastic surgery, scarring, and trauma that shows up at bedtime for years. California allows recovery for future treatment and emotional harm, and minors' settlements get court protection. We handle all of it.
The money comes from insurance
Homeowner's and renter's policies cover most dog bites, typically with six-figure limits. Neighbors and friends worry about suing someone they know. You're not taking their house. You're using the insurance they've been paying for.
Questions we hear
The owner says the dog never bit anyone before. Does that matter?
Not for liability. California's strict liability statute applies to the first bite. History matters only for extra theories like negligence and punitive exposure.
What if the bite happened while I was working, like a delivery?
You were lawfully on the property, so strict liability still applies, and workers' comp may add another layer of recovery.
The dog knocked me down but didn't bite. Case?
Possibly, under negligence rather than the bite statute. Injuries from being jumped on or chased are compensable when the owner failed to control the dog.