Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts in California (2025)

Given the popularity of dogs as pets, it is easy to forget that canines can inflict serious bodily harm on individuals and children. California’s personal injury laws provide a legal pathway for injured dog bite victims to pursue compensation, but the legal process can be complicated. If you are seeking compensation with the help of an attorney, you may be wondering about average dog bite settlement amounts in California. Settlement amounts can vary widely following a dog bite.

Am I Eligible for Compensation Following a Dog Bite?

Around 20,000 people suffer dog bite injuries in Los Angeles County each year, and dog bites can occur through a variety of scenarios. In some cases, victims are bitten when visiting the dog owner’s home. A dog that gets loose and harms someone may lead the owner to become liable for any harm the animal causes under the state’s premises liability laws. Dog owners have an ethical and legal duty to restrain their pets if they pose a potential danger to visitors or strangers.

In California, injured victims may still seek compensation even if they are partially at fault for an accident. Under the state’s comparative negligence rules, compensation is adjusted based on the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. This means that any settlement or jury award is reduced proportionately, ensuring that accountability is fairly distributed while allowing injured parties to recover damages for their losses.

What Can I Be Compensated for?

Victims of dog bites may be entitled to compensation for a range of damages. Economic damages often include medical expenses such as emergency care, surgeries, and ongoing treatments like physical therapy.

Lost wages and diminished earning capacity may also be compensated if the injury affects your ability to work. Non-economic damages address the emotional toll of a dog bite, such as pain, suffering, and mental anguish, including trauma from the incident or resulting disfigurement.

In cases of severe injuries, victims might recover compensation for future medical expenses or the cost of reconstructive surgeries. Scarring or permanent disability can also increase the compensation amount. If the dog owner’s negligence or intentional actions were egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to penalize the behavior and deter similar conduct.

Factors That May Determine the Size of Your Dog Bite Settlement

For many dog bite cases, the main factors that determine the size of the eventual settlement are the extent of the injuries (both physical and emotional) and the level of negligence or misconduct on the part of the dog owners. The goal of a personal injury case is to restore injured victims financially, whether or not the at-fault party is criminally liable for causing harm.

A personal injury lawyer can assess your injuries to fully account for the financial harm you suffered as a result of the dog bite. Injuries can also result from claw-related lacerations or a fall caused by the dog. There are immediate costs of medical treatments to account for, but long-term treatments, including reconstructive plastic surgery and therapy costs, may also be included as damages in a personal injury claim. Lost wages are also common forms of economic damages.

Some scars are not visible, as bites often lead to psychological duress and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Following a dog attack, injured victims may experience flashbacks and other mental health afflictions when they see any dog or relieve the traumatic memories that led to their injuries. Although these non-economic damages may not be accounted for through a paper trail, there are established formulas that can calculate the monetary value of the psychological harm you suffered.

In cases where the dog attack was instigated by the owner or where the owner knew the animal had a high probability of attacking the victim, a court may award punitive damages on top of economic and non-economic damages. Determining these damages can be a complicated process if plaintiffs do not have experienced legal counsel.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Dog Bite Payout in California?

A: The average settlement for a dog bite in California depends on factors like the severity of injuries, medical treatment costs, and emotional impact. California allows victims to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. Each case is different, so settlement amounts vary based on the unique circumstances of the incident and the extent of the injuries suffered by the victim.

Q: Does California Have a One-Bite Rule?

A: No, California does not have a one-bite rule. Rather, the state’s strict liability laws mean dog owners can be held liable for a bite even if their dog has never bitten anyone or shown aggression in the past. However, even in states with different laws, the one-bite rule is not always interpreted literally. States with one-bite laws focus on whether the owner knew of their dog’s dangerous nature before the bite and whether they took the proper precautions to prevent it.

Q: How Do You Negotiate a Dog Bite Settlement?

A: Negotiating a dog bite settlement involves gathering evidence, documenting injuries and expenses, and presenting a compelling claim to the responsible party or their insurer. Having medical records, proof of lost income, and other damages strengthens your case. An attorney can help handle negotiations to ensure that the compensation offered reflects the full extent of your losses.

Q: How Bad Does a Dog Bite Have to Be to Take Legal Action?

A: There is no exact threshold for how severe a dog bite must be to warrant legal action. If the injury requires medical treatment, causes scarring, or results in emotional trauma, you may have a valid claim. California’s strict liability laws mean a dog bite victim can file a claim against the owners of the dog who bit them, even if it is the first time the dog has attacked someone.

Schedule Your Dog Bite Consultation Today

If you’ve been injured in a dog bite incident, seeking legal guidance is an essential step toward protecting your rights and pursuing fair compensation. Dog bites can result in significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges, and it’s important to understand your options.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your potential claim and how to hold responsible parties accountable. With the right approach, you can work toward recovering medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. Take the first step toward securing justice and peace of mind by scheduling your consultation with Duque & Price today.

About The Author

Brent A. Duque

From humble beginnings and son of hard-working immigrant parents, Brent Duque was raised in La Puente, California. After graduating from West Covina High School and Mt. San Antonio College, Mr. Duque went on to graduate from Cal State University Fullerton with a Bachelors degree in Political Science. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, Mr. Duque did his graduate studies in Education and Public Administration at California Polytechnic University Pomona. After working for other firms, Mr. Duque knew that if he opened his own firm, he could provide more aggressive representation, better communication with clients, and secure larger settlements and verdicts for his clients. In 2006, he started his firm and has had a remarkable and successful career that he attributes to his firm’s aggressive and relentless pursuit of justice for his clients. As owner and managing attorney of the firm, Mr. Duque has fought for and secured millions of dollars for his clients.

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