Dog Bites matters in Richmond
Dog Bite Injuries in Richmond
Dog attacks happen throughout Richmond, in neighborhoods like the Iron Triangle, Hilltop, and Point Richmond, at parks, on sidewalks, and even at friends' or relatives' homes. A bite can cause puncture wounds, torn tissue, nerve damage, infection, and permanent scarring. Children are especially vulnerable because they are closer to a dog's height and often suffer bites to the face and head, leaving lasting physical and psychological injuries.
California's dog bite law is among the most protective for victims in the country. Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is strictly liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before. Unlike some states, California does not give owners a "one free bite." This makes it easier for victims to recover, though there are still important details to prove.
More Than Just the Bite
Serious dog attacks cause harm well beyond the initial wound. Puncture wounds carry a high infection risk and may require antibiotics, surgery, or rabies treatment. Deep bites can sever nerves and tendons, leaving lasting loss of function, and facial bites often require reconstructive surgery and leave permanent scars. The emotional toll is real too, especially for children, who may develop lasting anxiety and a fear of dogs. We make sure these future medical and psychological costs are documented and included in your claim, not just the emergency-room bill.
Pursuing Your Dog Bite Claim
Compensation in these cases usually comes from the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. We identify the responsible owner, document the attack with medical records and photographs of the injuries, and account for future costs like scar revision surgery and counseling for trauma. Richmond bite victims are often treated at Kaiser Permanente Richmond, with severe wounds requiring specialized care.
We handle communications with the insurer, which often tries to minimize these claims or blame the victim for provoking the dog. If a fair settlement is not reached, we file in the Contra Costa County Superior Court. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Protecting Children and Families
Many dog bite victims are children, and a serious attack can leave lasting scars and deep fear. California's strict liability law means the owner is responsible even without a prior bite, but recovering fairly still takes work, because homeowner's insurers often dispute the severity or argue the child provoked the dog. We document the full picture, from the immediate wounds to future reconstructive surgery and the counseling a frightened child may need, and we pursue the owner's insurance for every dollar of it.
Our attorney
How Mihran M. Ghazaryan helps with dog bites
California holds dog owners strictly liable, and Mihran M. Ghazaryan works directly with the owner's homeowners or renters insurer so families aren't put in the position of suing a neighbor out of pocket. He documents the bite, the medical treatment, and any scarring with the seriousness these injuries — especially to children — deserve.
Types of dog bite injuries we handle
Children's dog bites
Scarring on a child has a long arc. We document the injury carefully and, when appropriate, hold the recovery in a court-supervised account.
Postal carrier and delivery worker bites
Workers' compensation and the homeowner's policy can both apply. We coordinate to maximize total recovery.
Multi-dog incidents and provocation defenses
Strict liability has narrow exceptions. We address provocation defenses head-on with witness work and documentation.
Damages
What compensation can cover
Every dog bite injury claim is different, but California law allows injured plaintiffs to seek several categories of damages. We build each one with documentation — medical records, wage statements, expert opinions — so nothing is left on the table.
Medical expenses
Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and the future treatment your providers say you'll need.
Lost wages
Income you lost while recovering — and, where the injury affects your ability to work, diminished future earning capacity.
Pain and suffering
Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways the injury has changed how you live day to day.
Property damage
Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other property damaged in the incident.
Out-of-pocket costs
Transportation to appointments, medical equipment, household help, and the other expenses an injury forces on you.
How we work
- 1
Free, no-pressure consultation
We listen first. We answer your questions. There is no fee for the initial conversation — and you decide whether to engage us at the end of it.
- 2
Investigation and evidence preservation
Police reports, scene photos, witness statements, vehicle data, surveillance video, medical records. The earlier we collect, the harder it is for the other side to reshape the story later.
- 3
Treatment, demand, and negotiation
We coordinate with your providers, document the full extent of damages — medical, lost income, pain — and present a demand backed by evidence. We push back firmly when an insurer lowballs.
- 4
Litigation when necessary
Most matters settle. When an insurer refuses to be reasonable, we file. Preparing every case as if it will be tried is what makes the settlement number move.
What to do right away
- Get medical attention; rabies and infection risk drive immediate care.
- Report the bite to animal control and request a copy of the report.
- Photograph wounds at intake and during healing — scarring damages depend on documentation.
- Get the owner's homeowners or renters insurance information.
- Call us before signing anything.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Deadlines that matter
Most California personal-injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Miss the window and the court will almost always dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Claims against government entities are much shorter — generally a written claim within six months (Government Code §911.2). Crashes involving city vehicles, public buses, or dangerous public-road conditions can fall under this rule.
Exceptions exist in both directions — discovery rules, minors, continuing violations, out-of-state defendants — so don't assume your deadline has passed or that you have time to spare. Call (818) 539-7969 and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.