How long do I have to file a Santa Ana dog bite claim?

California dog-bite claims generally must be filed within two years of the attack under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. Evidence such as photos of the wound and the dog's history is easier to gather early, so it is wise to consult a lawyer soon after the bite.

Does California have a one-bite rule for dog owners?

No. Under Civil Code section 3342, California imposes strict liability, so there is no free first bite. An owner is generally responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before, as long as you were bitten in a public place or while lawfully on private property.

How much is my Santa Ana dog bite case worth?

There is no set amount. Value depends on the severity of the wounds, scarring or disfigurement, medical costs, lost income, and emotional impact. Bites to the face or hands often carry greater value, but every case turns on its facts, and we cannot guarantee a result.

Do I have to go to court for a dog bite case?

Usually not. Many dog-bite claims settle with the owner's homeowner or renter insurance without a trial. If the insurer will not offer fair compensation, we are prepared to file suit. We will guide you through each option.

How much does it cost to hire a Santa Ana dog bite lawyer?

MMG Law Firm handles dog-bite cases on contingency, so there is no upfront cost and no fee unless we win. The consultation is free and offered in English, Armenian, and Russian.

Santa Ana Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog attack can cause deep puncture wounds, scarring, nerve damage, and lasting fear, especially for children. California holds dog owners strictly responsible when their animal bites someone, which means you usually do not have to prove the owner did anything wrong. MMG Law Firm represents Santa Ana dog bite victims on contingency, with free consultations in English, Armenian, and Russian.

Dog Bites matters in Santa Ana

Santa Ana is one of the densest cities in California, and where people and dogs live close together, bites happen. Neighbors walk their dogs through tightly packed residential streets, families gather at neighborhood parks, and joggers, cyclists, and walkers share the Santa Ana River Trail with countless leashed and unleashed dogs. A loose gate, a startled animal, or an owner who cannot control a powerful dog can turn a pleasant afternoon into a trip to the emergency room.

California's dog-bite law is strongly protective of victims, and MMG Law Firm uses it to help injured Santa Ana residents recover for medical care, scarring, and the emotional toll of an attack.

Where dog bites happen in Santa Ana

Front yards, driveways, and sidewalks in dense residential neighborhoods
Neighborhood and city parks where dogs are walked and exercised
The Santa Ana River Trail, popular with joggers, cyclists, and dog walkers
Apartment complex courtyards, hallways, and shared common areas
Delivery routes and entryways where workers encounter unrestrained dogs

California's strict liability dog-bite statute

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, including the owner's own property. Strict liability means there is no free first bite: the owner is responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before and even if the owner took precautions. The main requirements are that you were bitten, that you were somewhere you had a legal right to be, and that the defendant owned the dog. California's pure comparative negligence rule can still reduce recovery if, for example, someone provoked the animal, but it does not erase a valid claim.

Injuries and case types we handle

Deep puncture wounds and crush injuries to hands, arms, and legs
Facial bites and disfiguring scars, especially in children
Nerve and tendon damage affecting grip and movement
Infections from bite wounds
Psychological trauma, anxiety, and fear of dogs

Compensation available to bite victims

California allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover emergency treatment, reconstructive or plastic surgery, future medical care, and lost income. Non-economic damages address pain, disfigurement, scarring, and emotional distress, which are often significant in bite cases involving the face or hands. Every case is different, value depends on the facts and evidence, and we never guarantee a result.

Deadlines and where Santa Ana cases are filed

California dog-bite claims generally must be filed within two years of the attack under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, so it is best not to wait. Santa Ana dog-bite cases are typically handled at the Orange County Superior Court, Central Justice Center in downtown Santa Ana. MMG Law Firm is based in Glendale and represents bite victims in Santa Ana and across California, offering free consultations in English, Armenian, and Russian and handling cases on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.