Dog Bites matters in Santa Monica
Santa Monica is one of the most dog-friendly cities on the Westside, and that lifestyle puts people and unfamiliar dogs in close contact all day long. The beach paths, Palisades Park along the bluffs, and Reed Park and other neighborhood greens are full of leashed and off-leash dogs meeting strangers. The Third Street Promenade and outdoor dining areas welcome dogs into crowded, stimulating spaces where animals can become overwhelmed. Quiet residential streets bring their own risks, from dogs that lunge at passing walkers to animals that slip a gate or charge a delivery worker.
This density of dog encounters is wonderful for the community, but it also means bites happen with regularity. Children are especially vulnerable because they are at face level and may not read a dog's warning signs. Understanding California's strict-liability rule helps victims see that they often have a claim even when the owner insists the dog had never bitten anyone before.
Why dog bites happen in Santa Monica
- Crowded beach paths and the strand where leashed and off-leash dogs cross paths
- Palisades Park, Reed Park, and other greens where dogs meet strangers
- Dog-friendly promenades, patios, and outdoor dining that overstimulate animals
- Residential streets where dogs lunge at walkers, joggers, and cyclists
- Gates, yards, and doorways where delivery and service workers are exposed
California's strict-liability dog-bite law
California does not follow a "one free bite" rule. Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is strictly liable when their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the owner's property. That means the victim usually does not need to prove the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. The owner's liability attaches even if the dog had never bitten anyone before, which is why so many Santa Monica victims have a stronger claim than they expect.
Strict liability under the statute applies specifically to bites. Where an injury comes from a dog knocking someone down or other non-bite conduct, ordinary negligence principles may apply instead, and we evaluate which theory fits your facts.
Injuries and case types we handle
- Puncture wounds, deep lacerations, and crush injuries
- Nerve and tendon damage affecting hands and limbs
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement, especially facial injuries
- Infections, including the risk from delayed treatment
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, and fear of dogs, particularly in children
What compensation may cover
No outcome is guaranteed, and every claim depends on its own facts. California law allows bite victims to seek economic damages such as emergency care, reconstructive or plastic surgery, future treatment, and lost income. It also allows non-economic damages for pain, disfigurement, and emotional distress, which can be significant where scarring is permanent or a child has developed a lasting fear. Under pure comparative negligence, recovery may be reduced if the victim provoked the dog or trespassed, but partial fault does not automatically end a claim.
Deadlines and the Santa Monica courthouse
California generally requires dog-bite lawsuits to be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Santa Monica dog-bite cases are handled within the Los Angeles County Superior Court system, with matters heard at the Santa Monica Courthouse. Working from our Glendale office about twenty miles away, MMG Law Firm investigates the attack, identifies the owner and any applicable insurance, and pursues full compensation. Consultations are free and offered in English, Armenian, and Russian, and we work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.
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.