Personal Injury

Dog Bite Lawyer in Palmdale

The short answer

If you were bitten by a dog in Palmdale, get medical care first. Dog bites get infected easily. Then report the bite to animal control and get the owner's name and address. Under California Civil Code 3342, a dog owner is responsible for a bite in a public place or on private property where you were allowed to be, even if the dog never bit anyone before. You usually have two years to file a claim, and the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance often pays.

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What to do after a dog bite

Wash the wound and get medical care. Doctors may give antibiotics, a tetanus shot, or rabies treatment. Deep bites can damage nerves and cause scars.
Identify the dog and owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and ask about the dog’s rabies vaccination.
Report the bite to animal control.
Take photos of your wounds right away and as they heal. Photograph torn clothing and the place where it happened.
Get witness names.
Do not post about it online and do not sign anything from an insurance company until you talk to a lawyer.

California’s dog bite law in plain English

California Civil Code section 3342 says a dog owner is liable when their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property. That includes a mail carrier, a delivery driver, a guest, or a neighbor walking by.

There are a few exceptions, such as police and military dogs doing their jobs. If you were trespassing or provoked the dog, the owner may argue you share the blame.

For injuries that are not bites, other rules apply. For example, a dog may knock over an elderly person or chase a cyclist into a crash. We can still bring a claim if the owner was careless, broke a leash law, or knew the dog was aggressive.

What a dog bite claim can cover

Emergency care, surgery, and plastic surgery for scars
Future medical care and counseling (many children and adults fear dogs after an attack)
Lost wages
Pain, suffering, and scarring or disfigurement

Dog bites in the Antelope Valley

Many homes in Palmdale, Lancaster, Quartz Hill, and the rural areas east of Palmdale have large yards and large dogs. We see bites from loose dogs that got through broken gates or fences, bites to delivery workers, and attacks on people walking on streets with no sidewalks.

Angelo Campano has handled dog bite cases for Antelope Valley families for years. He handles each case personally. The consultation is free, and you pay no fee unless we win.

Read more: Dog bite injuries: your legal options and causes of dog attacks. If you were bitten in Lancaster, see our Lancaster dog bite lawyer page.

How it works

Three steps. Your only job is step one.

Tell us what happened
Call, text, or use the short form. It takes a few minutes, and it is free.
We take it from there
We gather the evidence, deal with the insurers, and help you get medical care while you recover.
We work to resolve your case
Most cases settle. If the insurance company will not be fair, Angelo is ready to take your case to court.

Your only job is step one.

Client reviews

What clients say

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Testimonials are from past clients. They are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The dog never bit anyone before. Is the owner still responsible?

Yes, for a bite. California's dog bite law makes owners strictly liable. That means you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or was careless.

The dog knocked me down but did not bite me. Do I have a case?

Possibly. The strict liability law covers bites. For other injuries, such as being knocked over or chased into traffic, we must show the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. Those cases can still succeed.

Who pays for a dog bite claim?

Usually the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. You are not asking your neighbor to pay out of pocket. That often makes people more comfortable bringing a claim.

My child was bitten. What should I do?

Get medical care, photograph the wounds as they heal, and keep every bill. Children's claims have special rules, and a court often must approve a child's settlement. We can guide you through it.

Should I report the bite?

Yes. Report it to animal control. In Palmdale and Lancaster that is Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control. In Rosamond and California City it is Kern County Animal Services. The report creates a record and helps check the dog's rabies status.

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