California Filing Deadline
2 yrs
California's general statute of limitations for personal-injury claims is two years from the date of injury. Miss it and the claim is usually barred.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1
North County San Diego · Dog Bites
California is a strict-liability state.
North County San Diego Dog Bites Attorney
California is a strict-liability state for dog bites. The owner is responsible the first time. We've handled bite cases from neighborhood walks to commercial property.
33% contingency · no fee and no case costs unless we win · Every new case is reviewed by an attorney personally
What you should know about dog bites cases in North County San Diego.
We start every new case with the same posture: assume the insurance company will try to close fast and pay light. Our job is to slow it down, build the file properly, and force the carrier to value the claim correctly.
Most dog bites files have a small handful of issues that decide value: liability evidence, the strength of treatment documentation, lost-wage proof, and the available insurance limits. We handle each of those personally rather than passing them through paralegals.
Why timing matters
The clock starts the day you're hurt.
California's deadlines are strict, and evidence like video and witness memories fades fast.
Calling early lets us preserve evidence and file on time, so the insurer can't use the calendar against you.
Government-Entity Deadline
6 mo
Claims against a city, county, Caltrans, NCTD, or any other public entity must be filed within six months, far shorter than the standard two years.
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2
Property Damage
3 yrs
Claims for damage to your car or other property have a three-year deadline, but injury claims run on the shorter two-year clock.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338(c)
Dog Bites · FAQ
Common questions about dog bites cases.
Is the dog owner automatically liable in California?
California Civil Code § 3342 makes owners strictly liable for dog bites — meaning liability is automatic if the dog bit you in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property. Prior viciousness is not required.
What if the dog had never bitten anyone before?
Doesn't matter under the strict-liability statute for bites. The 'one free bite' rule was abolished in California decades ago for bite cases. For non-bite injuries (knocked down, scratched), traditional negligence applies.
Does it matter if I was on someone else's property?
You must have been lawfully on the property — invited guest, mail carrier, meter reader, or in a public place. Trespassers and people committing crimes on the property may not recover under the strict-liability statute.
Are scarring and disfigurement separately compensable?
Yes. Permanent scarring, disfigurement, and psychological injury are recoverable as non-economic damages on top of medical bills. Facial scars on children or visible scars on adults are valued especially highly by juries.