A dog bite can cause far more than a puncture wound. Victims often face nerve damage, scarring, infection, reconstructive surgery, and lasting emotional trauma such as anxiety and a fear of dogs. At Michael Yerzinkyan Law, we represent people injured by dangerous and poorly controlled animals throughout Southern and Central California, holding negligent owners fully accountable for the harm their pets cause.
California gives dog bite victims unusually strong protections. Under California Civil Code section 3342, dog owners are strictly liable for bites that occur in public or where the victim was lawfully present, which means you generally do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the owner did anything careless. Additional claims for negligence, negligence per se (for violations of leash and licensing laws), and premises liability may also apply. Our attorneys investigate the incident, identify every responsible party, and pursue all available insurance coverage, including homeowner’s and renter’s policies.
If you were bitten, you may be entitled to recover a broad measure of damages: past and future medical and surgical bills, physical therapy, lost wages and lost earning capacity, and compensation for pain, suffering, disfigurement, and emotional distress. Where an owner’s conduct was especially reckless, punitive damages may be available as well. Michael Yerzinkyan Law offers free, no-obligation consultations and works on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.