Fighting for Dog Bite Victims and Their Families
A dog attack can be terrifying and life-altering. In seconds, a seemingly friendly animal can cause severe injuries—deep puncture wounds, torn flesh, broken bones, and permanent scarring. Children are particularly vulnerable, often suffering bites to the face and head that leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, you’re dealing with more than just physical injuries. You may be facing expensive medical bills, time off work, psychological trauma, and the difficult process of holding the dog’s owner accountable. You need an attorney who understands dog bite law and will fight for the compensation you deserve.
At DJC Law, our dog bite lawyers have helped countless attack victims recover compensation for their injuries. We understand the physical and emotional toll these attacks take, and we’re committed to getting you justice.
We handle dog bite cases on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Dog Bites Are More Serious Than Many People Realize
Dog bites cause serious injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, with roughly 800,000 requiring medical attention. Dog bites send hundreds of thousands of people to emergency rooms annually, and dozens of people die from dog attacks each year.
The physical damage from a dog bite goes far beyond a simple puncture wound. Dogs have powerful jaws that can crush bone, tear muscle, and cause devastating tissue damage. Their mouths harbor bacteria that cause serious infections. And the psychological trauma of being attacked by an animal can last far longer than the physical wounds.
Children are at the greatest risk. They’re more likely to be bitten, more likely to suffer severe injuries, and more likely to be bitten on the face and head. A dog bite to a child’s face can require multiple reconstructive surgeries and leave permanent scars that affect them for life.
When a dog owner’s negligence allows their animal to attack, they should be held accountable for the harm caused.
Why Choose DJC Law for Your Dog Bite Case
Dog bite cases require attorneys who understand animal attack liability and know how to build strong cases. Here’s what sets us apart.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We handle all dog bite cases on contingency. You don’t pay any upfront fees, and you owe us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
We Understand Dog Bite Law
Dog bite liability varies significantly by state. We know how to navigate these laws to build the strongest possible case, whether we’re in a strict liability state or need to prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous.
We Know the Injuries
Dog bites cause specific types of injuries that require specific medical expertise. We work with plastic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and mental health professionals to ensure your injuries are fully documented and properly valued.
We Fight for Full Compensation
Insurance companies often try to minimize dog bite claims, particularly for scarring and emotional trauma. We fight for compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries—including future surgeries and long-term psychological effects.
We Handle the Difficult Situations
Dog bite cases can be emotionally complicated—sometimes the dog belongs to a friend, neighbor, or family member. We handle these sensitive situations professionally while still ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Dog Bite Liability
Dog bite laws vary significantly from state to state. Understanding the legal framework in your state is essential to your case.
Strict Liability States
Many states have strict liability dog bite statutes. In these states, dog owners are automatically liable when their dog bites someone, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten before or shown aggressive tendencies. You don’t have to prove the owner was negligent or knew the dog was dangerous—if their dog bit you, they’re liable.
Strict liability makes it easier for victims to recover compensation because you only need to prove that the dog bit you and that the defendant owned the dog. You don’t have to prove the owner did anything wrong.
One-Bite Rule States
Some states follow the traditional “one-bite rule.” Under this rule, dog owners are only liable if they knew or should have known their dog was dangerous—typically because the dog had bitten someone before or had shown aggressive behavior.
The name “one-bite rule” is somewhat misleading. Owners can be liable even without a prior bite if there’s other evidence they knew the dog was dangerous—growling, lunging, aggressive behavior, or a history of threatening people.
Negligence Claims
Even in one-bite states, you may be able to recover under general negligence principles. If the owner failed to properly restrain their dog, violated leash laws, or otherwise acted negligently, they can be held liable regardless of the dog’s prior history.
Defenses to Dog Bite Claims
Dog owners may raise several defenses:
Provocation. If you provoked the dog—hitting it, teasing it, threatening it—the owner may not be liable. However, normal interactions like petting a dog or walking near it don’t constitute provocation.
Trespassing. If you were unlawfully on the owner’s property when bitten, they may have a defense. However, this defense typically doesn’t apply to guests, customers, delivery workers, or others lawfully on the property.
Comparative negligence. The owner may argue you were partially at fault for the bite. In most states, this reduces but doesn’t eliminate your recovery.
Insurance companies often try to use these defenses even when they don’t apply. We know how to counter these arguments and protect your claim.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites cause a range of serious injuries, many of which have long-term or permanent consequences:
Puncture wounds and lacerations. Dogs’ teeth can penetrate deep into tissue, causing puncture wounds that damage muscles, tendons, and nerves. Tearing bites cause jagged lacerations that are difficult to repair cleanly.
Crushing injuries. Dogs have powerful jaws—some breeds can exert over 200 pounds of pressure per square inch. This force can crush bones, particularly in hands, arms, and the faces of children.
Facial injuries. Bites to the face are common, especially in children. These attacks can damage eyes, ears, noses, and lips, requiring extensive reconstructive surgery and often leaving permanent scarring.
Scarring and disfigurement. Dog bites frequently leave permanent scars. Even with the best medical care, significant scarring is often unavoidable. Visible scars, particularly on the face, can cause lasting psychological harm.
Infections. Dog mouths contain numerous bacteria, including Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Capnocytophaga. Bite wounds frequently become infected, sometimes requiring hospitalization and IV antibiotics. In severe cases, infections can lead to sepsis, which can be life-threatening.
Nerve damage. Bites can sever or damage nerves, causing numbness, weakness, chronic pain, or loss of function in the affected area.
Tendon and muscle damage. Deep bites can tear tendons and muscles, requiring surgical repair and extensive rehabilitation. Some victims never regain full function.
Broken bones. The crushing force of a dog’s bite can fracture bones in hands, arms, legs, and faces. Children’s bones are particularly vulnerable.
Eye injuries. Attacks to the face can damage eyes, potentially causing vision loss or blindness.
Ear injuries. Dogs sometimes bite ears, which can be torn or severed, requiring reconstructive surgery.
Rabies exposure. While rare in domestic dogs, rabies is fatal if not treated promptly. Dog bite victims often require rabies prophylaxis as a precaution.
Psychological trauma. Dog attacks are terrifying experiences that frequently cause lasting psychological harm. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, phobias of dogs, and nightmares are common, particularly in children.
Many dog bite injuries require multiple surgeries over months or years—initial wound repair, scar revision procedures, reconstructive surgery, and sometimes additional procedures as children grow.
Dog Bites and Children
Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites and suffer the most severe injuries. There are several reasons for this:
Children are at dog level. Young children’s faces are at the same height as many dogs, making facial bites more common. Adult victims are more often bitten on hands and arms.
Children don’t recognize warning signs. Children may not understand a dog’s body language indicating fear, anxiety, or aggression. They may approach dogs that an adult would recognize as threatening.
Children may inadvertently provoke dogs. Young children may pull tails, grab ears, or make sudden movements that startle dogs. While this doesn’t excuse the attack, it explains why children are bitten more frequently.
Children are smaller and more vulnerable. A bite that might cause moderate injury to an adult can be devastating to a small child.
When children are bitten, the consequences extend beyond immediate physical injuries:
- Facial scars may require multiple revision surgeries as the child grows
- Psychological trauma can affect development and cause lasting fear of animals
- Disfigurement can lead to bullying and social difficulties
- Severe injuries may affect a child’s future earning capacity
We fight to ensure child victims receive compensation that accounts for all of these long-term impacts.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
While the dog’s owner is the most obvious defendant, other parties may also be liable depending on the circumstances:
Dog owners are the primary defendants in most cases. Under strict liability statutes, owners are liable regardless of fault. Under the one-bite rule, they’re liable if they knew or should have known the dog was dangerous.
Property owners may be liable if they allowed a dangerous dog on their property. This can include landlords who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to take action.
Landlords may be liable if they knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and had the ability to remove the dog or require the tenant to take precautions. Liability often depends on the landlord’s knowledge and control over the property.
Dog keepers and handlers who had temporary custody of the dog—such as dog walkers, pet sitters, or kennels—may be liable if their negligence allowed the attack to occur.
Parents may be liable for attacks by dogs owned by their minor children.
Business owners may be liable if a dog attacks someone on their business premises and they knew or should have known the dog was present and dangerous.
Animal rescue organizations and shelters may be liable if they adopted out a dog they knew was dangerous without proper disclosure.
Identifying all liable parties is important because it may increase available insurance coverage.
Insurance Coverage for Dog Bite Claims
Most dog bite claims are covered by homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies. Understanding how this coverage works is important:
Homeowner’s insurance typically includes liability coverage that pays for injuries caused by the policyholder’s dog. Coverage limits usually range from $100,000 to $300,000, though some policies have higher limits.
Renter’s insurance also typically includes liability coverage for dog bites, though limits may be lower than homeowner’s policies.
Umbrella policies provide additional liability coverage beyond the limits of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. These policies can provide significant additional compensation for serious injuries.
Some policies exclude certain breeds. Some insurance companies exclude coverage for breeds they consider dangerous—commonly pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and others. If the owner’s policy excludes their dog’s breed, there may be no coverage.
Some policies exclude dogs with bite history. Insurers may deny coverage for dogs that have bitten before or been declared dangerous.
Landlord insurance may provide coverage if the landlord is found liable for the attack.
We investigate all potential sources of coverage to maximize your recovery.
Compensation in Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite victims may be entitled to significant compensation, particularly when injuries involve scarring, disfigurement, or attacks on children. You may be entitled to:
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, wound care, antibiotics, rabies prophylaxis, and ongoing treatment
- Future medical costs: Reconstructive surgery, scar revision procedures, physical therapy, and additional surgeries as children grow
- Mental health treatment: Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, phobias, and other psychological injuries
- Lost wages: Income lost during recovery
- Loss of earning capacity: Reduced ability to work due to permanent injuries or disfigurement
- Property damage: Damaged clothing, glasses, or other personal property
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain from the attack, wound care, and surgical procedures
- Mental anguish: Fear, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and emotional trauma
- Disfigurement: Permanent scarring, particularly on visible areas like the face
- Disability: Loss of function due to nerve, tendon, or muscle damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Fear of dogs affecting daily activities and quality of life
- Loss of consortium: Impact on spousal relationships
In cases involving particularly reckless behavior—such as owners who knew their dog was vicious and failed to restrain it, or who encouraged the dog to attack—punitive damages may be available.
If a dog attack results in death, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Scarring deserves special attention in dog bite cases because it’s so common and so impactful. Dog bites frequently leave permanent scars, and insurance companies often try to minimize compensation for scarring—particularly in adults.
The reality is that visible scars, especially on the face, can profoundly affect a person’s life:
- Constant reminders of a traumatic event
- Self-consciousness and reduced self-esteem
- Social anxiety and difficulty in personal relationships
- Potential impact on employment opportunities
- For children, potential bullying and social difficulties
We work with plastic surgeons to document scars thoroughly, understand what future treatment may be needed, and communicate the full impact of disfigurement to insurance companies and juries. We fight for compensation that reflects the true long-term impact of scarring.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Homeowner’s insurance companies handle dog bite claims, and they use many of the same tactics as auto insurers to minimize what they pay. Common tactics include:
- Claiming provocation even when none occurred—arguing that normal interactions like approaching the dog constituted provocation
- Arguing trespass when you were lawfully on the property
- Minimizing injuries and claiming scars will fade or aren’t as significant as documented
- Disputing psychological injuries or claiming they’re not related to the attack
- Offering quick settlements before you know the extent of scarring and future treatment needs
- Delaying claims hoping you’ll accept less out of frustration
- Claiming policy exclusions that may not actually apply
Don’t give recorded statements or accept settlement offers without consulting an attorney. We handle all communications with insurance companies and protect your claim.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
The steps you take after a dog bite can significantly impact both your health and your legal case:
Immediately after the attack:
- Get to safety away from the dog
- Call 911 if injuries are serious
- Identify the dog’s owner and get their contact information
- Ask about the dog’s vaccination history, particularly rabies
- Get contact information from any witnesses
- Take photos of your injuries, the dog if possible, and the location
- Report the attack to animal control
Medical care:
- Seek medical attention promptly—even minor-looking bites can become seriously infected
- Follow all medical advice for wound care and antibiotics
- Watch for signs of infection (increasing pain, redness, swelling, fever)
- Complete any recommended rabies prophylaxis
- Follow up with specialists if needed (plastic surgery, orthopedics)
- Seek mental health support if experiencing anxiety, nightmares, or other psychological effects
Protecting your claim:
- Document your injuries with photos throughout the healing process
- Keep records of all medical treatment and expenses
- Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies
- Don’t accept early settlement offers before understanding the full extent of your injuries
- Contact a dog bite attorney
Reporting the Attack
Reporting a dog attack to animal control is important for several reasons:
- It creates an official record of the attack
- Animal control can verify the dog’s vaccination status
- It may reveal prior attacks or complaints about the dog
- It can trigger a dangerous dog investigation
- It helps protect others from future attacks
Animal control reports can be valuable evidence in your case, particularly in one-bite jurisdictions where proving the owner knew their dog was dangerous is important.
Statute of Limitations
Every state has a deadline for filing dog bite lawsuits. These deadlines vary—typically between one and six years, with two to three years being common.
Claims involving children often have extended deadlines. In many states, the statute of limitations doesn’t begin running until the child reaches adulthood.
Claims against government entities (such as attacks by police dogs or dogs owned by government employees acting in their official capacity) typically have much shorter notice requirements.
Missing the deadline means losing your right to compensation. Don’t wait to consult an attorney, especially because some injuries—like the full extent of scarring—may not be apparent for months.
How Our Dog Bite Lawyers Help
Dog bite cases require thorough investigation and careful documentation. Here’s how we help:
We investigate the attack, identifying the dog and owner, obtaining animal control records, researching the dog’s history, and interviewing witnesses.
We document your injuries thoroughly, working with medical specialists to ensure the full extent of your injuries—including scarring and psychological trauma—is properly documented.
We identify all liable parties, looking beyond the owner to landlords, property owners, and others who may share responsibility.
We locate insurance coverage, investigating homeowner’s policies, renter’s policies, umbrella coverage, and other potential sources of compensation.
We fight for full compensation, including future medical expenses, scar revision surgery, and long-term psychological treatment.
We handle sensitive situations professionally, understanding that pursuing a claim against a neighbor or acquaintance can be difficult.
We negotiate aggressively and are prepared to take your case to trial if insurance companies won’t offer fair compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a dog bite lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
The dog belongs to a friend/neighbor/family member. Do I have to sue them?
You’re not really suing them personally—you’re filing a claim against their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. The insurance company pays any settlement, not your friend or family member. In most cases, pursuing a claim doesn’t have to damage the relationship.
The owner says the dog has never bitten anyone before. Can I still recover?
In strict liability states, yes—prior bites don’t matter. In one-bite states, we look for other evidence the owner knew the dog was dangerous, or we pursue a negligence claim based on how the owner handled the dog.
The owner claims I provoked the dog. What now?
Provocation is a common defense, but it has a specific legal meaning. Normal interactions—petting, walking near the dog, or being present on the property—don’t constitute provocation. We know how to counter this defense.
What if the dog owner doesn’t have insurance?
We investigate all potential sources of recovery, including landlord insurance, umbrella policies, and the owner’s personal assets. We also look for other liable parties who may have insurance.
My child was bitten. Can I file a claim on their behalf?
Yes. Parents can file claims on behalf of minor children. In fact, it’s important to do so to ensure compensation is available for future surgeries and treatment as your child grows.
Will the dog be put down?
That’s determined by animal control, not the civil lawsuit. Dangerous dog proceedings are separate from your injury claim. Some dogs are euthanized after serious attacks; others may be subject to restrictions like muzzling or confinement.
How long will my case take?
It varies. We typically wait until your medical treatment is complete and the full extent of scarring is known before settling. This ensures you receive compensation for all your injuries. Some cases settle in months; others take longer.
How much is my dog bite case worth?
Value depends on the severity of injuries, extent of scarring, location of scars (facial scars are valued higher), psychological trauma, and long-term effects. We can give you a better estimate after reviewing your case.
Contact Our Dog Bite Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, you deserve compensation for your injuries—physical and emotional. At DJC Law, we fight for dog bite victims against insurance companies that try to minimize their suffering.
We’ve helped countless dog bite victims recover compensation for medical expenses, scarring, and trauma. Let us put that experience to work for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve. There’s no obligation, and you’ll pay nothing unless we win.
