San Francisco Dog Bite Lawyer
No win, no fee dog bite attorneys: You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you.
Dogs are part of everyday life in San Francisco, from Golden Gate Park to neighborhoods like the Mission. Most are friendly and well-behaved. But sometimes, a dog can become aggressive without warning.
If you were injured in a dog attack, you may have a right to damages for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. However, you’ll want to act quickly. In California, you generally only have 2 years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim.
So, where do you go from here? A skilled San Francisco dog bite lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and next steps. Stoll & Haynes operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay any attorney’s fees unless we win you compensation.
Why Choose Our San Francisco Dog Bite Lawyers?
Here at Stoll & Haynes, we provide legal support to dog bite victims across San Francisco and the wider Bay Area.
Our attorneys offer:
- 30+ years of experience: We’ve proudly supported injury victims in San Francisco since 1994.
- Tried and tested results: We’ve secured substantial victories in personal injury cases, including multi-million-dollar settlements.
- Free and confidential consultations: We can review your dog bite case at no cost.
Meet Our San Francisco Attorney Team
Learn more about our San Francisco dog bite lawyers:
Albert G. Stoll, Jr.
With more than three decades of personal injury law experience, Al has an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Walter A. Haynes IV
Walter Haynes builds cases supported by evidence and analysis. He is co-founder of the San Francisco Lawyers Network.
Joseph Cagigas
Personal injury lawyer Joseph holds negligent parties in the Bay Area and San Diego County accountable for their actions.
Michael Seville
Michael can fight in your corner after a dog bite and represent you throughout the personal injury claims process.
What Is a Dog Bite Injury Claim?
A dog bite claim is a type of personal injury case in California. It’s brought when someone is bitten or attacked by a dog and wants to pursue compensation for their injuries and losses.
Under California Civil Code § 3342, a dog owner is responsible for injuries if their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property.
Source: California Civil Code
If someone is legally responsible for a dog bite, they can be held accountable for the harm caused.
A San Francisco dog bite lawyer can handle the claim from start to finish, allowing the victim to focus on recovery.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, Stoll & Haynes provides the legal guidance you need at this difficult time. Our team has extensive experience negotiating with insurers and can help you seek full compensation.
You may be able to file a dog bite claim in California even if:
- The dog has never shown aggression before
- The owner didn’t intend for the attack to happen
- The incident happened on private property (where you were allowed to be present)
Learn more with a free case review from Stoll & Haynes.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in San Francisco
Dog bites can occur for a wide range of reasons. Unfortunately, they are almost always preventable. Here are some common causes:
- Unleashed dogs in public places (this may violate San Francisco’s leash ordinance)
- Dogs that aren’t trained properly
- Dogs that feel scared or threatened (common in public places)
- Dogs that aren’t supervised by their owner
We often see dog bites happen when a normally calm dog suddenly becomes overwhelmed in a public place and reacts defensively. It’s up to the owner to keep their pet under control and prevent a situation from escalating.
More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Children account for at least half of all injuries.
How a Dog Bite Can Affect Your Life
Most dog bites are minor, causing scratches, small bruises, and other small injuries. However, some bites can be more serious and require medical care. Victims might experience:
- Puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Broken bones
More serious dog attacks can result in blood loss, organ damage, and fall-related injuries. Learn more about slips and falls.
One complication from dog bites is infection. A dog’s mouth can contain bacteria that enter the skin through small puncture wounds. If not treated, these wounds may become swollen and painful and potentially spread deeper into the tissue.
Then there are injuries from a dog bite that you can’t see. In some cases, victims experience psychological and emotional effects, such as depression and PTSD. Even when physical wounds heal, someone might feel uncomfortable around dogs.
Why Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in San Francisco?
Dog bite cases aren’t always straightforward, especially if the responsible party’s insurer tries to reduce or deny a claim.
An experienced Bay Area dog bite attorney team can:
- Investigate what happened
- Estimate what your damages are worth
- Collect evidence that supports your claim
- Deal with insurance companies for you
- Represent your case in court, if it comes to that (most dog bite claims settle out of court)
San Francisco Dog Bite Lawyer FAQs
If you were injured by a dog in San Francisco, you may have a valid claim under California law. Doing so can hold the responsible party accountable and help you get justice.
See a doctor straight away, report the incident, and document your injuries the best you can. You should also contact a San Francisco dog bite attorney to protect your rights.
It depends on your circumstances, but you may be able to recover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
There’s no fixed value associated with dog bite cases. How much you may be able to recover depends on the severity of your injuries, the medical treatment you need, recovery time, and other factors. More serious injuries may be worth more than minor injuries.
Read more personal injury FAQs.
Contact a San Francisco Dog Bite Lawyer
The sooner you act after a dog bite, the better. California law generally only gives you 2 years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need advice about your specific situation, please contact Stoll & Haynes directly.