In Need of a Dog Bite Lawyer in San Diego?
At National Injury Help, our San Diego personal injury lawyers know that dog bites can leave victims with profound physical and emotional scars that extend far beyond the initial injury.
Physically, these bites often result in painful wounds, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and the risk of serious infections, all requiring extensive medical treatment and potentially surgery. Emotionally, the trauma of a dog attack can lead to lasting psychological effects such as anxiety, fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The combination of physical pain and emotional distress can significantly impact a victim’s quality of life, leading to ongoing therapy and a prolonged recovery process. This is why we are here.
Our San Diego County dog bite lawyers focus exclusively on helping injured people throughout California and nationwide. With our experience and exceptional client focus, you can be confident that you are in good hands. Our proven track record of tenacity and attention to detail has been vital in maximizing our client recovery. Our attorneys and co-counsel partners have collected hundreds of millions of dollars for injured people, and we are ready to fight for you, too.
Contact our San Diego dog bite attorneys today to discuss your claim during a free, no-obligation telephone consultation; no office visit is required.
California and San Diego Dog Bite Statistics
Dog bites are more common than many people realize, and the statistics from California and San Diego reflect the scope of this problem. By understanding the prevalence of dog bites locally and statewide, victims and their families can see they are not alone and why pursuing fair compensation is both necessary and justified.
Dog Bite Statistics in California
California consistently reports some of the highest dog bite incidents in the United States. According to the Insurance Information Institute, California has led the nation in dog bite-related homeowner insurance claims for several years.
Last year, California accounted for more than 1,954 insurance claims related to dog bites and dog-related injuries, with payouts totaling over $120 million statewide. This figure represents not only the high frequency of dog bite claims in California but also the severe nature of many of these injuries.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, California cities—including San Diego—are regularly ranked among the top cities for postal worker dog attacks. Last year, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco appeared in the top 10 for the most dog attacks on postal employees nationwide.
Statewide health statistics also show that children are the most frequent victims of dog bites in California, accounting for nearly half of all reported cases. The California Department of Public Health notes that children between the ages of 5 and 9 are particularly vulnerable regarding the frequency and severity of bites.
Dog Bite Trends in San Diego
With its large population and dog-friendly culture, San Diego sees hundreds of reported dog bite incidents each year. According to San Diego County Animal Services, between 1,500 and 2,000 dog bites are reported annually within the county. This does not account for unreported or untreated bites, which means the actual number may be higher.
Local hospital records confirm the seriousness of these attacks. Sharp HealthCare and other major San Diego medical providers report treating dozens of patients per month for dog bite injuries, ranging from minor puncture wounds to severe lacerations and infections.
San Diego’s postal workers are also at particular risk. According to USPS data, the city ranked sixth in the nation in 2022 for dog attacks on postal employees.
Despite laws requiring dog owners to maintain control over their animals, San Diego County Animal Services responds to numerous monthly incidents involving off-leash or aggressive dogs in public spaces and residential neighborhoods.
The Impact of Dog Bites on the Community
Dog bite injuries create significant medical, emotional, and financial challenges for victims throughout San Diego and California. Victims often require emergency care, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, and psychological support—sometimes for years after the attack.
The high frequency of these incidents highlights the need for dog owners to be responsible and for victims to know their rights. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog in San Diego or anywhere in California, you are part of a much larger pattern, and legal help is available.
For more information or help after a dog bite injury, contact National Injury Help’s experienced San Diego attorneys for a free consultation. We are here to support your recovery every step of the way.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Dog Bite Injuries in California?
California has specific laws regarding dog bites to protect victims and ensure responsible pet ownership.
California operates under a strict liability rule for dog bites. This means that the dog owner is responsible for any injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the dog has shown previous aggression or the owner knew about the dog’s aggressive behavior.
This means the owner is liable if:
- The bite occurs in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the dog owner’s property.
- The victim was not trespassing or provoking the dog.
Our San Diego dog bite attorneys are familiar with the legal aspects of these cases and the local context, which can be crucial in building a solid case for our clients.
We understand dog bite injuries, and pursuing the damages that result are often deeply personal, as nearly 75% of all dog bites are inflicted by a known dog. This means many injured parties must pursue a neighbor, friend, or family member for the costs associated with their medical bills, lost wages, and other recovery needs, which can cause irreparable harm to their relationships.
Our skilled dog bite injury attorneys in San Diego can take the lead in your claim, pursuing the dog owner’s property insurance coverage for compensation directly. This removes you and the dog owner from the equation, preserving the relationship while producing tangible results.
We start with a free, no-obligation telephone consultation; no office visit is required. If our attorneys are the right fit for your personal injury claim, you will only pay our legal fees if we win your case. That is a promise. This gives injury victims and families of those who lost their loved ones to negligence the opportunity to tell their stories and learn more about our law firm and how we can help without paying any upfront fees.
Contact us today to learn more about our approach to producing client results.
What Type of Compensation Can I Pursue After Suffering a Dog Bite Injury in California?
Dog bites often lead to significant injuries due to the strength and sharpness of a dog’s teeth, which can puncture deep into the skin and underlying tissues. The force of a dog’s bite can crush bones, sever nerves, and damage blood vessels, leading to severe lacerations, fractures, and extensive bleeding. The tearing action of a bite can also result in extensive tissue damage, making the injuries more severe and challenging to treat.
Additionally, dogs have bacteria in their mouths that can introduce infections into bite wounds, complicating the healing process and sometimes causing life-threatening conditions like sepsis or rabies.
These combined factors mean that dog bites can cause significant, long-lasting physical harm. Our San Diego dog bite attorneys are determined to make a difference in our clients’ lives by seeking compensation that will make them whole again.
That includes compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for all medical costs related to the injury, including emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical treatments required due to the bite.
- Lost Wages: If the injury causes you to miss work, you can seek compensation for lost income during your recovery period. This can also include loss of earning capacity if the injury impacts your ability to work in the future.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured as a result of the dog bite. It covers the trauma, anxiety, and any long-term psychological effects, such as PTSD.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: If the dog bite results in permanent scars or disfigurement, you can receive compensation for these injuries’ impact on your appearance and quality of life.
- Emotional Distress: Compensation for the psychological impact of the attack, which may include therapy or counseling costs.
- Loss of Consortium: If the injuries have affected your relationship with your spouse, you may be able to seek damages for loss of companionship and support.
Each case is unique, and the specific compensation you can seek will depend on the circumstances of the incident and the extent of your injuries. Contact our dedicated dog bite injury attorneys to understand your rights and the full scope of compensation you may be entitled to.
We Also Focus on the Following Practice Areas:
- Bicycle Accident
- Boat Accident
- Car Accident
- Construction Accident
- Motorcycle Accident
- Truck Accident
- Wrongful Death
Client-Focused Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in San Diego, California
At National Injury Help, you—the injured or grieving party—are the most crucial part of our work. You are not a case number but a human needing our help here. We understand that when you are looking for a dog bite attorney in California, the options can be overwhelming and, quite honestly, intimidating.
During your first meeting, our client-focused personal injury lawyers in San Diego will listen attentively, ask detailed questions about your case, and show genuine interest in your well-being and concerns—because we genuinely care.
At National Injury Help, professionalism is the cornerstone of our legal practice. We believe in honesty about your case’s strengths and weaknesses and avoiding making unrealistic promises. Our track record, client reviews, and testimonials attest to our responsiveness, attentiveness, and success in achieving favorable client outcomes in San Diego, California, and nationwide.
Contact us today to learn how we can help with your critical dog bite injury claim so you can focus on your recovery while we handle your claim, leaving no detail to chance.
National Injury Attorneys, an Arizona law firm holding an alternative business structure license, has extended its legal services to San Diego, California. In association with the local co-counsel, San Diego-based attorney David Hiden, they are now equipped to handle single-event personal injury cases in this region, providing comprehensive legal representation within the jurisdiction of California.