A dog bite can turn an ordinary day into a painful, scary experience. If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog, you need to know what to do after a dog bite to protect your health and your rights. California law is on your side, and a dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles can help you get the money you deserve for your injuries. Hakakian Law Group, PC offers free consultations and works on a no win, no fee basis, so you pay nothing unless you get paid.

 

This guide covers every step you should take after a dog bite, from first aid to filing a claim.

 

Why Dog Bites Are More Serious Than They Look

Many people think a dog bite is no big deal, especially if the wound looks small. That is a mistake. Even a bite that barely breaks the skin can cause serious problems down the road.

 

Dog bites can lead to infections like Pasteurella, Capnocytophaga, and MRSA. These bacteria can spread fast, and some infections need hospital care. A bite to the hand, face, or joint is especially risky.

Beyond infection, dog bites can cause nerve damage, torn muscles, broken bones, and permanent scars. Children and older adults face the highest risk of lasting harm. Many bite victims also deal with anxiety, fear of dogs, and PTSD long after the wound heals.

Step 1: Get Medical Help Right Away

Your health comes first. Even if the bite seems minor, get medical care as soon as possible.

Immediate first aid:

• Wash the wound with soap and warm water for 5 to 10 minutes

• Apply antibiotic ointment if you have it

• Cover the wound with a clean bandage

• Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth if the bite is bleeding

Then go to the ER or urgent care. A doctor can check for deeper damage you cannot see, like torn tendons or crushed tissue. The doctor will also decide if you need stitches, antibiotics, or both.

Ask about these shots:

• A tetanus shot if you are not up to date

• Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if the dog's vaccination status is unknown

Do not skip the doctor just because the wound looks okay on the surface. Medical records from the day of the bite are also key evidence for any future claim.

Step 2: Identify the Dog and Owner

Try to get as much information about the dog and its owner as you can while you are still at the scene.

Information to collect:

• The dog owner's full name, address, and phone number

• The dog's breed, color, and size

• The dog's rabies tag number or vaccination records

• The owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance company (if they will share it)

If the owner leaves or refuses to give you information, write down a description of the dog and note the exact location where the bite happened. Ask anyone nearby if they saw what happened and get their names and phone numbers. A witness can make a big difference if the owner later denies the bite.

Step 3: Report to Animal Control in Los Angeles

Filing an animal control dog bite report in Los Angeles creates an official record of the attack. That record is an important piece of evidence if you file a claim.

Los Angeles has two separate reporting agencies depending on where you live:

• LA County residents: Contact LA County Animal Care & Control

• City of LA residents: Contact LA Animal Services

Once you file, animal control will typically place the dog under a 10-day quarantine to watch for signs of rabies. Report the bite within 72 hours if at all possible. The report will include details about the dog, the owner, and what happened, all of which support your case later.

 

Step 4: Document Everything

Good records can mean the difference between a low offer and fair compensation. Start collecting evidence right away.

Evidence checklist:

• Photos of your injuries on the day of the bite

• Follow-up photos as the wound heals (or gets worse)

• Photos of the location where the bite happened

• Photos of the dog if you can get them safely

• All medical records, bills, and prescriptions

• Names and contact info of any witnesses

• Your animal control report number

• A written account of what happened, written while your memory is fresh

• Records of any work you missed because of the injury

Keep everything in one folder (physical or digital). The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be.

 

Step 5: Know Your Legal Rights Under California Law

California gives dog bite victims strong legal protections. You do not need to prove the owner was careless or that the dog was dangerous. The law puts responsibility on the dog's owner.

California Civil Code 3342: Strict Liability

Under California Civil Code 3342, the dog's owner is liable for your injuries even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. California does not follow the "one bite rule" that some other states use. This is called dog bite strict liability in California.

You only need to show two things:

• You were bitten by the dog

• You were in a public place or lawfully on private property when the bite happened

Your skin does not need to be punctured for you to bring a claim. A bite that causes bruising, swelling, or emotional trauma can still qualify. The owner is responsible regardless of whether they knew the dog could be aggressive.

Strict liability does not apply if you were trespassing or if you provoked the dog.

 

The 2-Year Statute of Limitations

The dog bite statute of limitations in California gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. This deadline comes from California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1.

If you wait longer than two years, you lose your right to seek compensation. Two years may sound like a long time, but building a strong case takes months. Talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.

What Compensation Can Cover

If you were bitten by a dog in California, you may be able to recover money for:

• Medical bills (past and future, including surgery, medication, and physical therapy)

• Lost wages from missed work

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD

• Scarring and disfigurement

• Loss of enjoyment of life

Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on how bad your injuries are, how much treatment you need, and how the bite has changed your daily life.

Step 6: Talk to a Dog Bite Attorney in Los Angeles Before the Insurance Company

After a dog bite, the dog owner's insurance company may reach out to you quickly. They might sound friendly and offer you a fast settlement. That offer is almost always much less than your case is worth.

Insurance companies are in the business of paying as little as possible. They may ask you to give a recorded statement or sign paperwork that limits what you can claim. Anything you say to them can be used to lower your payout.

 

A dog bite attorney in Los Angeles can handle all communication with the insurance company for you. Your attorney will know how much your case is worth and will fight to get you fair compensation. At Hakakian Law Group,PC  you get personalized attention from a team that treats every client like family, not a case number.

 

Hakakian Law Group, PC offers free consultations, so you can get answers without paying a dime. Because they work on a no win, no fee basis, you owe nothing unless they recover money for you.

 

What NOT to Do After a Dog Bite

Avoiding a few common mistakes can protect your claim.

• Do not delay medical care. Waiting to see a doctor makes your injuries harder to connect to the bite. It also puts your health at risk.

• Do not talk to the insurance company alone. Adjusters are trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. Let an attorney speak for you.

• Do not post about the bite on social media. Insurance companies check Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for posts they can use against you. Even a photo of you smiling at a family dinner can be twisted to suggest you are not hurt.

• Do not accept the first settlement offer. The first offer is almost never fair. Once you accept, you cannot go back and ask for more, even if your injuries get worse.

How Much Is a Dog Bite Settlement Worth in California?

Every dog bite settlement in California depends on the facts of the case, but data gives us a useful starting point.

The average dog bite claim in California was worth about $68,125 in 2023, based on data from State Farm and the Insurance Information Institute. Nationally, insurers paid out $1,862 million in dog bite claims in 2025, which was $292 million more than the year before.

 

Typical settlement ranges:

• Minor injuries (small wound, short recovery): under $15,000

• Moderate injuries (infection, some scarring, weeks of treatment): $30,000 to $100,000

• Severe injuries (surgery, permanent scarring, nerve damage, PTSD): $150,000 or more

Factors that affect the value of your case:

• How bad the injuries are

• Total medical costs (past and future)

• How much work you missed

• Whether the bite left visible scars, especially on the face

• The quality of your documentation and evidence

• Whether the dog was unvaccinated

The only way to know what your specific case is worth is to talk to an experienced attorney who can review your records and injuries.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the dog has never bitten anyone before?

It does not matter. California does not follow the "one bite rule." Under California Civil Code 3342, the dog's owner is responsible for your injuries even if the dog has no history of biting or aggression. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

 

What if the dog wasn't vaccinated?

An unvaccinated dog actually strengthens your claim. It also means you will likely need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which adds to your medical costs. Report the dog's vaccination status (or lack of it) to animal control right away so they can take the right steps to protect public safety.

 

Do I need a lawyer for a minor dog bite?

Even a bite that looks minor can lead to infection, scarring, or lasting anxiety. Medical bills add up fast, and insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible. A free consultation costs you nothing and can help you understand whether your case is worth pursuing.

 

How long do I have to file a claim?

You have two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit in California under Code of Civil Procedure §335.1. After that deadline passes, you lose your right to seek compensation. Contact an attorney as soon as possible so you have time to build a strong case.

 

Contact Hakakian Law Group,PC Dog Bite Attorneys in Los Angeles

If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog in Los Angeles, Hakakian Law Group, PC is here to help. The team at Hakakian Law Group, PC treats every client like family and gives your case the personal attention it deserves.

 

Call today for a free consultation. There is no cost to talk about your case, and you pay nothing unless Hakakian Law Group, PC wins money for you. That is the no win, no fee promise.

 

You do not have to deal with insurance companies, medical bills, or legal deadlines on your own. A dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles at Hakakian Law Group,PC will handle everything so you can focus on healing. Reach out now to get started.

 

Disclaimer: This post is considered attorney advertising and is for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.