Getting bitten by a dog can feel like it came out of nowhere. Maybe you were walking near Skytower Park, visiting a friend, delivering a package, or heading to your car in a parking lot, when a dog lunged.
In a split second, you’re dealing with bleeding, shock, and worrying about what comes next. If you are searching for a Lancaster dog bite lawyer, you want to protect your health, your family, and figure out how to pay for treatment, missed work, and the ongoing consequences.
Our team explains how California’s dog bite law works, what steps are crucial immediately, and how the Law Offices of Steers & Associates helps Lancaster residents pursue financial recovery after a dog attack.
Key Points: Lancaster, CA Dog Bite Lawyer
- Strict liability in California dog bite cases. Under California law, a dog owner is generally responsible for injuries their dog causes, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
- Liability applies in public and private places. Owners can be liable if the bite occurs in public or when you’re lawfully on the owner’s property.
- Limited exceptions may apply. If you were trespassing or provoked the dog, liability may be reduced or eliminated.
- Compensation can be comprehensive. Victims may recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, and emotional trauma.
- Homeowner’s insurance often covers dog bite claims. Most dog bite claims are paid by the dog owner’s homeowners or renter’s policy — but uninsured owners may still be personally liable.
- Act quickly — California has a statute of limitations. You typically have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a claim.
- Legal help matters. An experienced Lancaster dog bite lawyer can investigate the attack, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers to pursue full compensation.
The Basics of Lancaster, California Dog Bite Law
In California, dog owners are generally held responsible when their dog bites someone, even if the dog had no prior history of biting or was generally considered harmless.
Under California law, an owner is liable when their dog bites someone who is lawfully in a public place or on private property. If you were allowed there, and the dog bit you, the owner is usually liable.
California and LA County also classify some dogs as “dangerous” if they have a history of vicious behavior, and owners can face additional consequences for allowing those dogs to roam or attack.
Few exceptions exist, such as when the bite victim is trespassing or provoking a dog. Provocation must be real and meaningful, not a typical interaction, such as walking past or petting with permission. Insurers often exaggerate these. A Lancaster dog bite lawyer can evaluate what applies to your case.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Lancaster
The first hours after a bite are critical for your safety and your claim. These simple tasks are instrumental for both:
- Get medical care immediately—a bite can cause infection, nerve damage, or deeper tissue injury that is not visible on day one;
- Identify the dog and owner—get names, phone numbers, address, and any vaccination info if possible;
- Photograph injuries and the scene—clear photos early make it harder for anyone to downplay what happened later;
- Report the bite—Los Angeles County has an online reporting portal and takes bite reports seriously because of rabies control rules; and
- Avoid quick statements to insurers—early calls often aim to lock in your story before full medical facts emerge.
Once these steps are complete, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure all crucial details of the incident are preserved.
Were You Bitten by a Dog at a Dog Park or in Someone Else’s Home? Here’s What to Do Before First Responders Arrive
- Get to a safe location immediately. Move away from the dog to prevent further injury. If the attack occurred at a dog park or private residence, create distance between yourself and the animal before addressing your wounds.
- Control the bleeding. Use a clean cloth, towel, or bandage to apply firm, steady pressure to the wound. Elevate the injured area above heart level if possible to help slow blood loss.
- Clean the wound carefully. If the bleeding is controlled, gently rinse the bite with clean water for several minutes. Mild soap can be used around the wound area, but avoid scrubbing deeply as this can cause further tissue damage.
- Cover the injury. Apply a sterile bandage or clean dressing to protect the wound from bacteria. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection, even if the skin break appears minor.
- Gather important information. If possible, obtain the dog owner’s name, contact information, and proof of rabies vaccination. If the bite happened at a dog park, try to identify witnesses who saw the incident.
- Seek medical care immediately. Even small puncture wounds can lead to infection, nerve damage, or scarring. Prompt medical evaluation creates documentation that may be important if you later pursue a dog bite injury claim.
What You Need to Show in a Lancaster Dog Bite Case
Although California law generally holds dog owners responsible for bites, claims still depend on the specific details of the incident. In most cases, the dispute is not whether the bite happened, but instead proving the pieces that determine who pays and how much. That usually comes down to:
- Whether the person you are pursuing is the dog’s actual owner or the one responsible for controlling the dog at the time;
- Whether the insurance company can credibly argue a legal exception based on where you were or what you were doing;
- How severe the injuries are, including the treatment you needed and what your doctors expect in the future; and
- The bite’s effect on your daily life, including pain, scarring, reduced function, or emotional fallout.
These are the pressure points insurers push hardest, and they are precisely where a well-built case makes the difference.
How a Lancaster Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Proves Fault
Even with strict liability, your case requires a clear and organized proof package. A dog bite accident lawyer builds this by:
- Documenting the bite itself through medical records and photographs;
- Identifying the correct owner or keeper;
- Gathering witness statements or neighborhood footage; and
- Addressing any defenses early, before insurers develop their own talking points.
California jury instructions regarding dog bite claims emphasize that no previous bite is necessary to prove liability.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Attack in Lancaster?
After a dog bite, California allows you to pursue financial recovery for the real, full-picture impact of what happened, including:
- Medical treatment and future care. Coverage for emergency visits, follow-up appointments, surgery, medication, therapy, and any ongoing treatment your doctor expects you will need.
- Lost income and reduced earning ability. If you missed work, had to cut back hours, or cannot return to the same job because of your injuries, those losses can be included.
- Pain, scarring, and lasting limitations. Dog bites often leave lingering physical pain, permanent marks, or reduced function, and the law recognizes those effects as part of your damages.
- Emotional impact of visible injuries. When a bite alters your feelings in public, around animals, or even within your own body, that ongoing burden can be part of the claim.
The bottom line is that your claim should reflect the true cost of this attack, not what an insurance adjuster wants to settle quickly.
Why a Lancaster Dog Attack Lawyer Can Change Your Case’s Outcome
Dog bite insurers often try to paint the incident as a misunderstanding or blame you for “startling” the dog. They may push for quick settlements before the long-term impact or medical needs are known.
A dog bite injury attorney establishes the case based on evidence and the long-term cost of infection, scarring, or nerve damage.
They help clients identify all liable parties, manage communication with landlords and tenants, and seek damages from various insurance policies and other available resources. In Lancaster, this matters because dog bites often occur at rented homes or during visits, where multiple policies may provide coverage.
A lawyer is particularly important in cases of severe injuries, when a child is involved, or when the dog has a known history of aggression. In California, the law can hold dog owners more accountable if they knowingly keep dangerous dogs that injure others.
In these cases, medical providers and animal behavior experts can be useful in demonstrating that the bite was preventable and its impact on your future.
How We Stand Out for Lancaster Dog Bite Cases
Steers & Associates treats dog bite cases as serious injuries, not minor claims. These events can have a lasting impact on a person’s comfort, confidence, and overall well-being.
For years we’ve helped thousands of clients recover millions for preventable accidents, such as dog bites. Unlike high-volume practices, we prioritize a personal approach: you’ll benefit from direct attorney involvement, prompt communication, and a consistent team that fully understands your case from start to finish.
If you or a loved one was bitten in Lancaster, contact our dog bite attorney is ready to listen, explain your options, and work toward your recovery.
