California Dog Bite & Animal Attack Attorneys

Statute of Limitations

2 years

2 years from the date of the bite/attack (Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1)

Dog-Bite Statute

Strict liability

Strict liability — Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 — owner liable for bites in any public place or while victim is lawfully on private property, regardless of prior knowledge

Comparative Fault Rule

Pure comparative

Pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal. 3d 804) — recovery reduced by your percentage of fault

Dangerous Dog Law

§ 31601

Cal. Food & Agric. Code § 31601 et seq. — “potentially dangerous” and “vicious” dog designations, registration, and enhanced civil liability

Leash Law

Local ordinance

Set by city/county ordinance (e.g., LAMC § 53.06.02, SF Health Code Art. 1) — violation supports negligence per se in addition to § 3342

Typical attorney fee

33%

33%–40% contingency — no fee unless you win

California Civil Code § 3342 imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites that occur in any public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property — including the owner’s property. No prior-bite history, viciousness, or owner negligence is required. The statute even applies to bites by police K-9s in some circumstances (with a narrower public-duty exception). California’s pure comparative fault rule (Li v. Yellow Cab) means even a partially at-fault plaintiff recovers — though provocation can reduce the award. Most California claims are paid through homeowner’s or renter’s policies; breed exclusions are common, but California has restricted some practices. An attorney enforces § 3342, beats back insurance lowballs, and protects the 2-year SOL.