A dog attack can be both physically painful and emotionally traumatizing. Once you’ve received medical care and begin processing the experience, you may start to wonder what your legal rights are and what damages you may be entitled to. At Hillstone Law, our West Covina dog bite attorneys are here to help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Compensation for Human Dog Bite Victims

California follows a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites involving human victims. This means that a dog owner is automatically liable if their dog bites someone who was lawfully on public or private property—even if the dog had never shown aggression before. The only requirements are:

• The dog belongs to the defendant
• A bite occurred

If these conditions are met, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: This includes emergency care, surgeries, hospital visits, physical therapy, psychiatric treatment, and future medical costs related to the injury.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries kept you from working, you can be compensated for your missed income.
• Reduced Earning Capacity: If the attack left you permanently impaired or unable to return to your previous profession, you may recover damages for diminished future earnings.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life can all be factored into your claim.
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Permanent marks from the bite may justify additional compensation.
• Physical Impairment: If the attack caused a disability or loss of function, you may be entitled to further damages.
• Property Damage: If any personal belongings were damaged during the incident, such as clothing or a phone, you can include those in your claim.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where the dog owner acted with extreme negligence or intent to harm, California allows for punitive damages to punish such behavior.

When Your Pet Is the Victim

If your pet was attacked by another dog, different legal standards apply. California does not apply strict liability in these cases, but you still have legal options:

1. Negligence-Based Claims: You can pursue compensation if the other dog’s owner was negligent—for example, by failing to leash their dog in a non-designated area. You can seek reimbursement for veterinary bills and other necessary treatment expenses.
2. Knowledge of Dangerous Behavior: If the dog had a known history of aggression and the owner (or caretaker) failed to take proper precautions, strict liability may apply under common law principles.

If you or your pet has been harmed in a dog attack in West Covina, don’t wait. Contact Hillstone Law today to schedule a free consultation. Our team is experienced in handling dog bite cases and will fight to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.