San Francisco Dog Bite Lawyers

Representing Dog Attack Victims Across the Bay Area

You’re in the park with your family. It’s a nice sunny day. You feel the gentle breeze of the wind, and the place is filled with laughter and fun times. You see a man walking his seemingly calm dog. You smile at the dog and their owner. Then, out of nowhere, the dog lunges forward and bites you!

What happens now? Dog bites are just like any other accident — they can happen to anyone, and they can be more serious than many realize. Dog bites can cause disfigurement, nerve damage, and infections if not properly treated. If children are involved, the psychological effects of being attacked by a dog can last for the rest of their lives.

At The Cartwright Law Firm, we have the knowledge, skills, and resources to help you recover damages linked to dog bites. We recognize that there’s no amount of money that can make up for losing one’s sense of safety and confidence after the trauma of being attacked by a dog. However, you should not have to cover medical bills or other consequences of the attack. Our personal injury attorneys can consult with a team of medical experts, psychiatrists, and animal trainers to establish dog owner liability and the true scope of your injuries. We prepare every case for trial and are not afraid to go to court if that’s what it takes to get the compensation you need and deserve.

Don’t wait to call (415) 234-4826 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our San Francisco dog bite lawyers. We take these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us attorney’s fees unless we help you recover damages.

Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in California?

California dog bite law has a “strict liability statute” when it comes to dog attacks. This means that, if the scenario in which you were bit meets certain criteria, the dog’s owner is likely liable for the attack, even if their pet has never bit anyone before.

You likely have a dog bite case if you were:

• Bitten by a dog
• In a public place or lawfully in a private place when the bite occurred

In other words, the dog’s owner does not have to act negligently to become liable for a bite, and you do not have to prove negligence to recover compensation. However, you may not have a case – or your case may be significantly weakened – if you provoked the animal into attacking or you were trespassing when the bite occurred.

Can a Dog Be Put Down for Biting Someone in California?

Some people might hesitate to pursue a dog bite claim because they are concerned doing so will lead to the dog being euthanized. This is not necessarily the case, and it should not stop you from exercising your right to compensation.

A dog could be euthanized after a biting incident if any of the following criteria apply:

• It has rabies
• It has bitten at least two people
• It has seriously injured someone
• It has been raised to attack people or fight

A hearing is required before a dog can be euthanized, even if one or more of these conditions are met. This hearing helps determine whether the dog is a real threat to public safety. Anyone can petition a court to initiate the hearing process.

The dog owner can present evidence in defense of their dog at this hearing. If the court decides that the dog is a threat to public safety, they can have the dog euthanized.

What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in a San Francisco Dog Bite Case?

If you are hurt by a dog, you can claim compensation for the damages the animal has incurred. In California, you generally have two years from the date of the bite to start the legal process under the personal injury statute of limitations. Waiting too long will prevent you from recovering any damages.

Our San Francisco dog bite attorneys can fight to recover:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost income and earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

Common Dog Bite Injuries and Medical Treatment

A dog attack can leave far more than a simple puncture wound, and understanding the range of possible injuries can help you make informed choices about medical care. Victims often suffer lacerations, torn muscles, and crushed tissue, especially if the animal shakes or pulls after biting. Infections are also a major concern, because bacteria from the dog’s mouth or from the environment can enter the wound and lead to complications if not treated promptly. Children and older adults can be particularly vulnerable to serious harm, including head and neck injuries, which may require emergency treatment at facilities such as Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

After the immediate crisis is addressed, follow-up care can involve stitches, wound debridement, antibiotics, and in some cases surgery by a plastic or reconstructive surgeon to reduce scarring. Some people also need treatment for nerve damage, reduced range of motion, or lasting sensitivity in the area of the bite. Emotional and psychological effects are common, and counseling or therapy may be helpful if you develop anxiety, nightmares, or a fear of dogs after the incident. When you work with a dog bite lawyer in our firm, we consider both your physical and emotional needs so that any claim reflects the full scope of your treatment and recovery.

Building a Strong Dog Bite Case

While you do have up to two years to pursue legal action for a dog bite case in California, it is in your best interest to consult a legal professional as soon as possible. You and your legal representatives must take steps to preserve evidence and document your injuries for insurance companies and the court. Our team at The Cartwright Law Firm can provide guidance and help gather evidence as we build a strong case on your behalf.

After a dog bite, you should make every effort to do the following:

• Take pictures of your injuries immediately after the attack. Photographs serve as concrete evidence of the severity of the bite and its immediate impact. They provide a clear visual record that can support your account of the incident while showing the physical damage caused. Documenting the injuries right away helps capture details that might fade over time, such as the size of the wounds, bruising, or swelling.
• Take pictures of the area where the attack took place. While you don’t generally need to prove negligence to prevail in a California dog bite case, it’s still a good idea to establish the context of the incident as much as possible. Any photos of the immediate area can provide valuable details about the surroundings that may support your claim about how the bite happened.
• Keep copies of your medical reports and bills. These documents show the extent of your injuries, the treatments you received, and the costs involved, which can be critical when pursuing a claim. By maintaining these records, you help establish a clear timeline of your medical care that supports your version of the events. Organized medical records can also help our team calculate the financial impact of the incident.
• Continue to take pictures of your injuries as your wounds heal. Documenting the healing process of your wounds through photos provides a clear, visual timeline of your recovery. These images highlight the progression of your injuries, from severe to healed, and demonstrate the long-term physical impact of the incident. They can underscore the extent of pain and suffering you’ve endured, which is important when negotiating settlements or presenting evidence in court. Regular photo updates also help illustrate any complications or scarring that develop during the healing process, offering a comprehensive view of the aftermath of the bite.

In addition to these steps, it can be helpful to keep a simple written journal of your symptoms, sleep disruptions, and emotional reactions in the weeks after the attack. Noting how the injury affects your daily life, including work, school, or activities around the Bay Area, can provide useful detail that medical records alone may not capture. We can use this information, along with reports from treating providers and any records from San Francisco General Hospital or other local facilities, to demonstrate the full impact of the bite on your day-to-day functioning.

Bitten by a Dog in California? We’re Prepared to Fight for You!

Settling dog bite claims can sometimes be difficult – especially when insurance companies refuse to cover the total cost of your injuries. Our San Francisco dog bite lawyers know how to handle insurance companies. With over 70 years of litigation experience, we understand the ins and outs of the industry. We aren’t fooled by anyone’s tactics.

Our team is also prepared to front the costs associated with a thorough investigation and engaging expert witnesses. Again, our firm’s fees are charged as a percentage of any recovery awarded to our clients, so if we do not recover compensation in your case, we do not recover our fees.

When you contact a dog bite attorney in our office, we walk you through the process step by step so you know what to expect from the initial investigation through possible filing in San Francisco Superior Court. We review the facts, explain how California’s strict liability rules apply, and discuss practical issues such as dealing with insurers and scheduling medical care. Our goal is to reduce the stress of the legal process so you can focus on healing while we pursue accountability from the dog owner and any applicable insurance company