Dog Bites matters in Red Bluff
Dog attacks in and around Red Bluff
Dog bites happen throughout Tehama County, from the residential streets and parks of Red Bluff to the rural properties and ranches that surround town. Children walking near Main Street homes, delivery and mail carriers, joggers and cyclists along the river, and visitors to a friend's or neighbor's property are all at risk when an owner fails to control or properly confine a dog. On rural parcels along SR-99 and SR-36, loose or guard dogs can confront people who have every right to be there.
A serious bite can cause puncture wounds, torn tissue, nerve damage, infection, and permanent scarring, and the emotional aftermath, especially for children, can last well beyond the physical healing. Treatment often begins at Dignity Health St. Elizabeth Community Hospital and may require wound care, plastic surgery, and follow-up visits.
California's strict liability dog bite law
California follows a strict liability rule for dog bites. Under the law, a dog owner is generally liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property, including the owner's property, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before. This means a victim usually does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous, which sets dog bite claims apart from many other injury cases.
Compensation in a bite case typically comes through the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. Claims may cover medical bills, future treatment such as scar revision, lost income, and the pain and emotional distress of the attack. Where a bite occurs on a rural property without insurance, recovery can be harder, and we review every option carefully.
How MMG Law Firm handles your dog bite claim
We document the attack thoroughly, identifying the dog and its owner, obtaining any animal-control report, photographing the injuries as they heal, and gathering witness accounts. We work with your medical providers, including any treating surgeons, to capture the full extent of the wounds, scarring, and emotional impact, which is especially important when a child has been bitten.
We then pursue the claim against the responsible owner and their insurer, handling the negotiations and paperwork so you can focus on recovery. Lawsuits arising from Red Bluff dog attacks are generally filed in the Tehama County Superior Court. Every case is different and we cannot promise a particular outcome, but we will pursue full and fair compensation for the harm you or your child has suffered.
Special care when a child is bitten
Many of the most serious dog bite cases in Tehama County involve children, who are closer to a dog's level and more likely to be bitten on the face, head, and hands. These injuries can require plastic surgery and leave scars that affect a child for years, along with lasting fear of dogs. California law allows a claim on the child's behalf, and we handle these cases with the sensitivity they deserve, documenting both the physical and emotional harm. We also help families understand how a minor's settlement is handled and protected under California procedure. If you or your child was attacked anywhere in Red Bluff or the surrounding county, reach out for a free, no-pressure conversation about your options.
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.