Dog Bites Questions & Answers
Straight answers to what people ask most. These hold wherever you were hurt — for the deadlines and rules that depend on your state, choose your state below.
Who Actually Pays for a Dog Bite Claim?
One of the most common reasons people hesitate to pursue a dog bite claim is that they do not want to take money from a friend, neighbor, or family member. But in most cases, the recovery does not come from the dog owner personally — it comes from their homeowner's or renter's insurance.
Read the answer →What Should I Do Right After a Dog Bite?
Take care of the medical side first. Dog bites carry a real risk of infection, and if the dog's vaccination status is unknown, rabies can be a concern — so get medical care promptly, even for a bite that looks minor. Prompt treatment also creates a record connecting the injury to the attack.
Read the answer →Can I Make a Claim if a Friend's Dog Bit Me?
Yes, usually. Being an invited guest means you were lawfully present, which is exactly what California's strict-liability rule protects. A bite at a friend's, neighbor's, or relative's home generally supports a claim just as a bite elsewhere would.
Read the answer →How Much Does a Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?
We handle dog bite claims on a contingency basis for the cases we take, which means there is no fee unless we recover for you. Instead of paying by the hour, the fee is a percentage of the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you do not owe an attorney fee.
Read the answer →Questions about the law in your state?
Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state. Choose where you were hurt for answers under that state's law.
General information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.