Getting bitten by a dog can be very traumatic, and finding the right San Bernardino dog bite lawyer quickly can make a big difference in protecting your rights and getting you the money you deserve. A dog bite injury can cause physical harm, emotional distress, and medical bills that weren’t planned for.
The experienced lawyers at Krasney Law Accident Attorneys know how important and sensitive these cases are, so they make sure that victims get caring help and strong representation.
People who get bitten by dogs need medical help and take legal action right away because California law has strict deadlines for filing claims.
Working with a knowledgeable San Bernardino dog bite attorney early on will help you get necessary evidence, like witness statements and medical records, and preserve the value of your claim.
How Can a San Bernardino Dog Bite Lawyer Help?
Case Evaluation & Investigation
Your lawyer looks into all the details of your dog bite, including where it happened, the owner’s negligence, witness accounts, and any previous complaints or violations. This investigation may involve going to the scene, talking to witnesses, and getting reports from the police or animal control.
Establishing Liability
In most cases, California has a strict liability standard for dog bites. This means that if a dog hurts someone in a public place or legally in a private place, the owner is usually responsible, even if the dog has never shown aggression.
A skilled San Bernardino dog bite lawyer confirms that the incident falls under strict liability or, in rare cases, explores negligence theories if the owner breached duty (for instance, violating leash laws or failing to secure a gate).
Calculating Damages
People bitten by a dog may be able to get money for their medical bills, hospitalization costs, surgeries, follow-up care, medications, rehabilitation, and lost wages. They may also be able to get cash for their pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and disfigurement. When someone is permanently disabled or disfigured, figuring out how much money they should get is more difficult.
Your San Bernardino dog bite lawyer puts together all the paperwork—medical records, bills, wage statements, and expert opinions—so that you can accurately ask for fair compensation.
Negotiating with Insurers
Many dog owners use their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to cover liability. At first, insurers might not give claims the right amount of money or wait to pay them.
A San Bernardino dog bite lawyer engages directly with insurers, presenting well-supported demands and countering lowball offers. Should negotiations stall, your attorney is prepared to file suit to protect your interests.
Litigation & Court Representation
If you and the other party can’t agree on a fair settlement, your lawyer will file a lawsuit within the time limit and help you with the pleadings, discovery, depositions, and trial. Your San Bernardino dog bite lawyer protects your rights, fights for your position in an innovative way, and takes care of all the legal steps.
Support Through Recovery
In addition to legal work, a caring lawyer can help you find medical professionals, mental health professionals, or support groups when needed.
After a dog attack, you need both physical and emotional healing. Your lawyer can help you find the resources you need to recover fully.
Why Choose Krasney Law Accident Attorneys for Dog Bite Cases in San Bernardino
Local Expertise
As a San Bernardino-based firm, we understand regional factors: local animal control practices, community regulations, and court procedures in San Bernardino County. This local insight ensures efficient case management.
Proven Track Record
Our firm has successfully recovered significant verdicts and settlements for personal injury clients in San Bernardino. You can review outcomes in our client testimonials and see how we’ve helped individuals recover compensation after serious injuries.
Personalized Attention
We handle a limited number of cases to provide dedicated focus. From your initial consultation through case resolution, you work directly with experienced attorneys who listen to your concerns, answer questions clearly, and tailor strategies to your situation.
Resource Network
We collaborate with medical experts, vocational specialists, and mental health professionals to document the full impact of a dog bite. These partnerships strengthen your claim’s evidentiary basis.
No Upfront Fees
We operate on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. This approach ensures access to quality representation regardless of your financial situation.
Bilingual & Community Outreach
Recognizing San Bernardino’s diverse community, we assist in multiple languages and engage in local outreach to inform residents about their rights after a dog bite.
Explore our broader personal injury practice at San Bernardino personal injury attorney to see how we support clients across various accident types.
Why Are Dog Bites Risky?
Dog bites can cause serious problems that go beyond the initial wounds:
Infection & Rabies Risk
Even minor puncture wounds can let bacteria get deep into tissues, leading to infections like cellulitis or, in rare cases, more serious conditions like sepsis.
If you don’t know if your dog has been vaccinated, there is still a risk of rabies, even though it is less common in dogs that have been adequately vaccinated.
Nerve and Tendon Damage
Bites on the hands, arms, or legs can cut nerves, tendons, or blood vessels, which can cause long-term problems with movement. Surgery may be needed quickly to get things back to normal.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Facial or neck bites may leave permanent scars, affecting self-esteem and requiring cosmetic or reconstructive procedures. Emotional distress from visible scarring is compensable as part of non-economic damages.
Psychological Trauma
Victims, especially children, may feel anxious, scared of dogs, or have post-traumatic stress after an attack. Costs of mental health treatment, counseling, or therapy should be included in damage calculations.
Complications in Vulnerable Populations
Older people and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to get infections and take longer to heal. Children who are patients may have damage to their growth plates or a bigger effect on their mental health.
Dog Bite Injury Statistics
While precise local San Bernardino data may vary year to year, national trends highlight the prevalence and impact of dog bite injuries, underscoring the serious nature of these incidents for victims.
| Metric | Approximate Value / Insight |
| Annual ED Visits for Dog Bite Injuries (per 100,000 population) | Typically ranges from 20 to 60 visits per 100,000, with variations by age group. |
| Highest ED Visit Rates by Age | Children (especially under age 10) and older adults often experience higher visit rates. |
| Average Cost per Dog Bite Case | Medical costs can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on severity and need for surgery. |
| Percentage Requiring Hospitalization | A notable portion (roughly 10-20%) of treated dog bite cases may require hospital admission, particularly for severe wounds or complications. |
| Common Bite Locations | Hands/arms (in adults) and face/head (in children) are frequent due to defensive posture or child height. |
These figures are illustrative based on national epidemiological studies and may fluctuate annually. Early medical evaluation after a bite is critical to minimize complications and document injury severity for legal claims.
You don’t have to figure out these complicated laws on your own if you or someone you care about has been bitten by a dog in San Bernardino. After a dog attack, you may be left with physical injuries, emotional pain, and rising medical bills.
A good dog bite lawyer in San Bernardino knows all the details and is ready to fight for your rights.
California Dog Bite Laws
Strict Liability Standard
California Civil Code § 3342 establishes that dog owners are strictly liable if their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully in a private place, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior. Under this rule:
The victim need not prove previous knowledge of dangerous propensities.
The owner cannot avoid liability by showing no reason to expect aggression.
Strict liability applies except when the victim was trespassing or provoking the dog. Your attorney evaluates whether any exceptions apply, but generally, strict liability favors victims in most scenarios.
Leash and Housing Regulations
Local municipal codes and county ordinances often impose leash requirements, secure containment rules (e.g., fences, gates), and licensing mandates.
Violations of leash laws or failure to confine a dog securely can bolster a claim by demonstrating owner negligence in preventing an attack.
“One-Bite” Rule vs. Strict Liability
Unlike some jurisdictions that follow a “one-bite” rule—where the owner is liable only if aware of prior dangerous behavior—California’s strict liability makes “one-bite” arguments largely irrelevant.
Even a first-time attack can trigger liability, underscoring the importance of swift legal action when bitten.
Dangerous Dog Designation
If a dog has prior incidents or is officially designated “dangerous” under local animal control laws, this can strengthen evidence of owner negligence or willful disregard for public safety. Your lawyer investigates any prior complaints or orders regarding the dog.
Don’t let a dog bite ruin your life. Call Krasney Law Accident Attorneys right now for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let our knowledgeable team help you understand your legal options and get the justice and money you deserve.
How Common Are Dog Bite Accidents?
Dog bites are a big public health problem, and they often cause serious injuries in San Bernardino County. These aren’t small things; they usually need immediate medical attention and can leave lasting scars on the body and mind.
- Recent data from San Bernardino County shows hundreds of dog bites each year. In 2023, there were 883 bites reported.
- Seventy percent of these happen on the dog owner’s property, which shows that even pets that are familiar to you can be dangerous.
- Sadly, kids are straightforward targets. Between 2010 and 2019, three out of five dog bite deaths in San Bernardino involved kids under three.
These events are often caused by the owner’s carelessness, like not watching their pet closely enough or not giving them the proper training.
Dog Bite Law Firm in San Bernardino, California
Getting bitten by a dog can make you feel violated, hurt, and not sure where to turn. In addition to the physical injuries, the emotional shock, fear, and stress of rising medical bills can be too much to handle.
We don’t just see a case at Krasney Law Accident Attorneys; we see someone who has been through a scary and unfair experience.
We are a dog bite law firm in San Bernardino, California, and we are committed to giving you personalized, results-oriented representation that understands what you’re going through.
We take a comprehensive approach to take the pressure off of you so you can focus on getting better while we fight for the justice you deserve:
Free, Confidential Consultation:
We evaluate your case details, explain legal rights, and outline potential strategies—no obligation.
Thorough Investigation:
Collecting animal control reports, medical records, witness statements, photographic evidence of injuries, and scene conditions.
Aggressive Negotiation:
We communicate firmly with insurers, rejecting lowball offers and insisting on full compensation.
Litigation Readiness:
If settlement talks stall, we will file suit promptly to protect your claim within California’s statute of limitations. Our litigators handle all court procedures to maintain momentum and leverage.
Client Support:
Beyond legal representation, we guide you toward medical providers, counselors, and recovery resources to address physical and emotional needs.
We serve all San Bernardino communities, from urban neighborhoods to outlying areas, ensuring local accessibility and responsiveness. By choosing our firm, you gain committed advocates who view your recovery and well-being as a top priority.
Contact Krasney Law Accident Attorneys to Speak with a San Bernardino Dog Bite Lawyer for Free Today!
If you or someone you care about has been bitten by a dog in San Bernardino, the road to recovery can be challenging, both physically and emotionally.
Please don’t wait. Every second that goes by could destroy necessary evidence, cause you to miss legal deadlines, and make it harder to get the full amount of money you need to heal and move on.
The road to justice can be challenging, but you don’t have to go it alone. Call Krasney Law Accident Attorneys immediately for a free consultation with no strings attached.
We are here to listen to your story compassionately, answer all your urgent questions, and clearly explain how our experienced San Bernardino dog bite attorney team can help you get the justice and full compensation you deserve. Let us fight for your future.
Dog Bite Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to see a doctor if the bite seems minor?
Yes. Even minor-appearing bites can lead to serious infection or unseen tissue damage. Prompt medical evaluation documents your injury and supports your legal claim.
2. What if the dog owner’s insurance denies liability?
California’s strict liability standard typically makes it difficult for insurers to deny responsibility outright if the bite occurred in a public place or lawful private setting. Your attorney can challenge denials, provide legal arguments, and pursue litigation if required.
3. How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in California?
Under California law, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Acting early allows time for investigation, negotiation, and, if needed, court proceedings.
4. Can I recover compensation if I was bitten on my property?
Yes, if you were lawfully on the property (e.g., as an invitee or licensee) and the bite occurred without provocation. Strict liability still applies when the victim has the right to be on the premises.
5. What if the bite left permanent scarring or nerve damage?
Permanent injuries increase the claim value. Your San Bernardino dog bite attorney works with medical experts and life-care planners to quantify long-term treatment costs, lost future earning capacity, and non-economic damages such as disfigurement and reduced quality of life.