Pasadena Dog Bite Lawyer

Pasadena is a city of walkable neighborhoods, busy parks, and outdoor gathering spots, which means people and dogs cross paths constantly. Most encounters are harmless, but when an owner fails to control or restrain an aggressive animal, the results can be serious, particularly for children and older adults.

MMG Law Firm represents dog bite victims from our Glendale office, a short drive away. We know the neighborhoods and parks where these incidents happen and how California's strong dog bite law protects the people who are hurt.

Where Dog Bites Happen in Pasadena

Bites and attacks tend to cluster where people and dogs gather or pass close to one another:

• Neighborhood parks and off-leash areas where dogs slip free or are left unrestrained
• The Rose Bowl and Arroyo area, popular for walking, running, and weekend crowds
• Residential streets and front yards, where unleashed or unfenced dogs reach passersby
• Apartment courtyards, shared walkways, and building entrances where tenants and guests pass close to one another
• Sidewalks and trails where a leashed dog lunges or an owner loses control

Children are especially vulnerable because they are at face level with many dogs and may not read warning signs in an animal's behavior, which is one reason these injuries are so often severe and permanent.

California's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

California is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog's owner is generally liable when their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten before. This means there is no free first bite in California: the victim usually does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Strict liability applies to bite injuries; claims for being knocked down or otherwise hurt without a bite may proceed under ordinary negligence instead.

Common Injuries We See

• Puncture wounds, deep lacerations, and crushed tissue
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement, often to the face and hands
• Nerve and tendon damage affecting grip and movement
• Infections, and lasting emotional trauma such as anxiety around dogs

Facial wounds and scarring carry consequences well beyond the initial injury, often requiring multiple reconstructive procedures and leaving permanent marks that affect a person's confidence for years. We treat these harms with the seriousness they deserve.

Compensation You May Recover

California law allows recovery of economic and non-economic damages. Economic losses can include emergency treatment, reconstructive or plastic surgery, future medical care, and lost income. Non-economic losses can include physical pain, emotional distress, and the impact of permanent scarring. Because California uses pure comparative negligence, any share of fault assigned to the victim reduces but does not eliminate recovery. In many cases the dog owner's homeowner or renter insurance is the source of compensation, and identifying that coverage early can make a real difference. We never promise an amount; we document the injury thoroughly and pursue what the facts support.

Deadlines, Courts, and How MMG Law Firm Helps

Dog bite claims in California generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Pasadena cases proceed through the Los Angeles County Superior Court, and because the historic Pasadena courthouse is closed, they are typically heard at the Alhambra Courthouse or the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.

From our Glendale office about ten miles from Pasadena, MMG Law Firm identifies the dog's owner, locates homeowner or renter insurance coverage, and gathers the records that prove the harm. We offer free consultations in English, Armenian, and Russian, and we work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.