Dog attacks can happen without warning—and in a city like San Gabriel, where families frequent local parks, residential streets, and community spaces, the risks are more common than many realize. Whether it’s a bite in Plaza Park, a neighborhood along Valley Boulevard, or outside a retail area, a single dog attack can lead to serious injuries, permanent scarring, and lasting emotional trauma.
Dog bite victims often suffer more than physical wounds. These incidents can leave you or your child with medical bills, time away from work or school, and the long-term psychological impact of the attack. California law provides protections for victims—but understanding how to pursue compensation and who is legally responsible isn’t always straightforward.
At Tim D. Wright Law, we help dog bite victims in San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Valley recover compensation for medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. If you or a loved one has been bitten, we’re here to fight for your recovery and hold negligent dog owners accountable.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in San Gabriel, understanding your legal rights is critical. Fortunately, California law strongly protects dog bite victims through what’s known as a strict liability statute.
California Civil Code § 3342 holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their dogs cause through biting. This means that a dog owner is legally responsible for a bite regardless of whether the dog had ever shown aggression or bitten anyone before.
In other words, there is no “one free bite” rule in California.
Unlike many other types of personal injury cases, a dog bite victim in California does not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent. You only need to establish two basic facts:
If those conditions are met, the dog owner is typically automatically liable for any injuries or damages you suffered.
You are considered lawfully present if you were:
Even if the dog was leashed or the bite occurred on the owner’s property, strict liability still applies if you had a right to be there.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, including deep wounds, infections, and nerve damage. Even a seemingly minor bite can become dangerous if untreated. Visit a nearby urgent care or emergency room and follow all medical advice. Prompt treatment not only protects your health—it also documents your injuries, which is essential for any legal claim.
All dog bites in San Gabriel should be reported to:
This creates an official record of the incident, which can help identify the dog’s history and confirm ownership. It also helps protect others from future attacks.
Try to get the following information:
If the owner is unknown or uncooperative, ask witnesses or neighbors for help identifying them. This information is vital for holding the correct party liable.
Use your phone to take photos of:
Visual evidence can be powerful in proving the severity of the attack and where it occurred.
Shortly after the incident, an insurance company may call you requesting a statement or offering a quick settlement. Do not speak to adjusters or sign anything before consulting an attorney. Their goal is to minimize payouts, not to protect your interests.
Dog bite cases can be complex, especially when serious injuries, emotional trauma, or disputed liability are involved. At Tim D. Wright Law, we’ll:
In California, dog bite laws are designed to protect a wide range of victims—not just pedestrians or strangers in public spaces. If you were lawfully present when the bite occurred, there’s a strong chance you may be entitled to compensation under California’s strict liability statute.
Anyone who is legally present in a public place—such as a sidewalk, park, or community trail in San Gabriel—is covered by California’s dog bite law. The same applies if you were visiting a private home, apartment, or business with the owner’s permission.
Some of the most common dog bite victims include:
These individuals are lawfully on private property, and the dog’s owner is typically responsible for any injury caused by a bite—even if the dog was “normally friendly.”
If you're a tenant or renter, and you’re bitten by a dog on the rental property or in a shared space (like a courtyard or laundry area), you may still be eligible for compensation. This includes bites from:
In some cases, landlords may also share liability if they knew about a dangerous dog on the property and failed to act.
Dog bites often require urgent and ongoing medical care. Compensation may cover:
We also include future medical costs if your injuries require long-term care or follow-up treatment.
If your injuries forced you to miss work or impacted your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to:
We work with economic experts to ensure no wage-related losses are overlooked.
The law recognizes that not all harm is financial. You may be compensated for:
These “non-economic” damages reflect the true human impact of your experience.
Dog attacks frequently cause permanent scarring, especially on the face, arms, or legs. Victims may also face nerve damage or visible deformities. These injuries can affect your self-esteem, social life, and quality of life—and should be fully compensated.
Recovery doesn’t end with physical healing. Dog attack victims—especially children—may need:
We include the cost of professional mental health services in your total compensation demand.
In rare but severe cases—such as when a dog owner knew the dog was dangerous and did nothing to prevent the attack—you may be eligible for punitive damages. These are meant to punish reckless or intentional conduct and send a message that public safety matters.
A dog attack can leave you with lasting physical and emotional scars—but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Tim D. Wright Law, we’re committed to helping dog bite victims in San Gabriel get the medical care, financial support, and justice they need to move forward.
Don’t settle for less—get the compensation you deserve.
Whether you're dealing with mounting medical bills, missed work, or lasting trauma, we’re here to help you hold negligent dog owners accountable. We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
📞 Phone: (323) 379-9995
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com
📍 Office Address:
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506
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