.png)
A dog bite can happen in an instant—but its effects can last a lifetime. For a child, it’s a terrifying, often traumatic experience. For a parent, it’s a moment filled with fear, confusion, and urgent questions: Is my child going to be okay? What should I do next? Who is responsible?
Unfortunately, dog bites involving children are more common than many people realize. In California, incidents frequently occur in everyday settings—in neighborhoods, public parks, or during visits to friends or family members’ homes. Often, the dog involved is familiar to the child, making the emotional and physical aftermath even more complex.
Children are especially vulnerable because of their small size, limited ability to defend themselves, and natural curiosity. When a bite occurs, injuries are often to the face, neck, or hands—areas that can require long-term medical care and leave lasting scars, both physically and emotionally.
Children’s immune systems are still developing, and dog bites—no matter how small—can introduce bacteria that lead to dangerous infections like cellulitis or tetanus. More severe bites may require stitches, rabies treatment, or reconstructive surgery. Always take your child to urgent care or the emergency room as soon as possible.
Get the name, contact information, and address of the dog’s owner. Also, ask for proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination. If the dog is not up to date on its shots or the owner can’t be identified, your child may need preventive treatment for rabies, which can be painful and costly.
In California, all dog bites must be reported to local authorities, such as animal control or the police department. This creates an official record of the incident, helps ensure the dog is quarantined (if necessary), and documents whether the dog has a history of aggression—something that can be vital if a legal claim is filed later.
Evidence is key in any potential injury claim. Be sure to:
Soon after the incident, the dog owner’s insurance company may contact you to ask questions or offer a quick settlement. Do not give a recorded statement or accept any offers without consulting a personal injury attorney. These early settlements often fall short of covering long-term medical or emotional needs.
Under California Civil Code §3342, a dog owner is legally responsible for any injuries caused by their dog biting someone, regardless of whether the dog has ever shown signs of aggression before. This means:
This rule applies even if the dog was usually friendly or had never bitten anyone before. One bite is enough.
Strict liability applies if the child was:
If your child had permission to be where they were when the bite occurred, the dog’s owner can be held liable—even if the attack happened inside someone’s home.
Importantly, California law generally offers stronger protections for children in bite cases. Even if your child approached the dog, tried to pet it, or was playing nearby, the owner can still be held liable. Courts recognize that young children don’t always understand animal boundaries and are more likely to unintentionally provoke a response.
As long as your child wasn’t trespassing or deliberately harming the dog, provocation is rarely a valid defense in dog bite claims involving minors.
California’s strict liability law makes it clear: the dog’s owner is responsible for injuries caused by a bite, regardless of the dog’s past behavior or the owner’s intent. If your child was in a public place or lawfully on private property, the dog owner is legally obligated to pay for the resulting harm.
While landlords are generally not responsible for the actions of a tenant’s pet, there are exceptions. If a landlord:
If someone else was responsible for supervising the dog at the time of the bite—like a dog walker, pet sitter, or friend watching the dog—their negligence may also open the door to liability. For example:
In some cases, business owners, homeowners' associations, or event organizers may be held accountable if they:
Dog bites often require more than just a quick visit to the emergency room. Many young victims need:
Children may experience intense physical pain from dog bites, especially when injuries involve the face, hands, or deep tissue. Compensation can reflect this physical suffering, as well as loss of enjoyment of life during the healing process.
A traumatic dog attack can leave children with long-term emotional wounds, including:
Injuries from dog bites can have lasting effects, especially if they involve nerve damage or scarring. Compensation should account for:
If the bite leaves permanent scarring or impacts mobility, speech, or appearance, additional damages may be awarded for disfigurement and long-term disability. These injuries can affect a child’s confidence, school life, and social development for years to come.
In California, any personal injury settlement involving a minor must be reviewed and approved by the court to ensure it’s in the child’s best interest. The court may also require the funds to be held in a blocked account or trust until the child turns 18.
This legal safeguard is meant to protect your child’s future, but it also makes it essential to work with an attorney who understands the process.
A dog bite can change a child’s life in an instant—leaving behind not just physical wounds, but deep emotional trauma. These incidents are never just "accidents" to brush off. They demand prompt medical care, legal attention, and long-term planning to ensure your child’s health, safety, and future are fully protected.
Whether your child was bitten by a neighbor’s dog, attacked at a park, or injured while visiting family, California law is clear: you have the right to pursue compensation that reflects the true impact of the injury.
Insurance companies may rush to offer a settlement, hoping you’ll accept quickly and quietly. But those offers often fall short of covering your child’s long-term physical and emotional needs. Before you sign anything, speak with a trusted personal injury attorney.
At Tim Wright Law, we understand the emotional weight parents carry after a dog bite injury. We’re here to help you secure the compensation and peace of mind your family deserves—with compassionate, experienced legal support every step of the way.
✅ Free Consultation – We’ll review your child’s case and walk you through your legal options
✅ No Upfront Fees – You don’t pay unless we win your case
📞 Call: (323) 379-9995
📍 Visit: 1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302, Burbank, CA 91506
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
🔗 Follow Us for Legal Tips and Updates:
Facebook |
Instagram |
Twitter
