Dog Bites matters in Irvine
Irvine was designed around open space, and its village greenbelts, paved trails, and neighborhood parks keep residents and their dogs outdoors year-round. That same walkable, dog-friendly character means people and dogs cross paths constantly, on trail networks linking the villages, in shared courtyards and dog-run areas at apartment communities, and along sidewalks throughout the master-planned neighborhoods. When an owner fails to leash or control a dog, the result can be a serious bite, and children playing in these shared spaces are especially vulnerable.
California treats dog bites more strictly than many other injuries. A victim usually does not have to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had bitten before, which makes these cases distinct from a typical negligence claim. Understanding that framework, and the limited exceptions to it, is key to building a strong case.
Where Irvine dog bites happen
- Village greenbelts and the trail networks connecting neighborhoods
- Neighborhood parks and open-space areas
- Apartment community courtyards, dog runs, and shared walkways
- Sidewalks and front yards throughout the master-planned villages
California's strict liability rule
Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is strictly liable when their dog bites a person who is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the owner's property. This means there is generally no "one free bite" defense in California; the owner can be responsible for the very first bite, regardless of the dog's past behavior. Certain exceptions apply, such as trespassers or specific law-enforcement uses, which is why the circumstances of the attack matter.
Injuries we see in bite cases
- Puncture wounds, lacerations, and crush injuries
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement, especially facial injuries in children
- Nerve and tissue damage requiring surgery
- Infections and lasting emotional trauma
What you may recover
Victims can pursue economic damages, such as medical care, reconstructive or scar-revision treatment, and lost income, along with non-economic damages for pain, disfigurement, and emotional distress. California's pure comparative negligence rule can reduce recovery if the victim's own conduct contributed, though provocation and similar issues are fact-specific. We never promise an outcome or a dollar figure; each case depends on its facts.
Deadlines, venue, and how MMG Law Firm helps
Most California dog-bite claims must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Irvine cases are generally handled at the Orange County Superior Court, Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. From our Glendale base, a reasonable drive up the 5 and 405, MMG Law Firm represents Irvine bite victims and clients across California, handling intake and case preparation remotely while appearing in court when necessary. Consultations are free and available 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.