Dog Bite Injuries in Glendale: Who Is Liable and How to Recover Compensation

Glendale is a city of dog lovers. Residents walk their pets along Brand Boulevard, in Verdugo Park, and through hillside neighborhoods like Verdugo Woodlands and Chevy Chase Canyon, and apartment complexes across the city are full of family pets. Most dogs are harmless, but when one bites, the injuries can be serious: deep puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, and scarring that lasts a lifetime. Children are especially at risk.

If you or someone in your family was bitten, you may be able to recover compensation. A Glendale personal injury lawyer can explain your rights, gather evidence, and handle the insurance company while you focus on healing.

California’s Dog Bite Statute

California has a strict liability rule for dog bites. Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is generally liable for injuries when the dog bites a person who is in a public place or lawfully on private property, including the owner’s own home. In most cases you do not have to prove that the owner was careless or that the dog had bitten before.

Key points:

• You must be lawfully present. Guests, delivery workers, and neighbors visiting for a legitimate reason are generally covered. Trespassers generally are not.
• The “one free bite” rule does not apply to bite injuries under this statute.
• The statute covers bites. If a dog knocks you down or chases you without biting, a claim may fall under ordinary negligence rules instead.
• Exceptions exist, such as for certain police and military dogs working in an official capacity.

The details of each incident matter, so have an attorney review yours.

Other Legal Theories in Dog Attack Cases

When the strict liability statute does not fit, other claims may apply:

• Negligence, if the owner ignored a leash law, left a gate open, or failed to control the dog
• Landlord liability, in some situations where a landlord knew about a dangerous dog and could have acted
• Local animal control violations, which may support a negligence claim
• Prior dangerous-dog designations or complaints, which can show the owner was on notice

Dog Bites in Apartments and Rental Properties

Glendale has many apartment buildings, condominiums, and rental homes, so dog bites often happen in shared spaces such as hallways, courtyards, elevators, and parking areas. These cases can raise extra questions:

• Was the dog owned by a tenant, a neighbor, or the landlord?
• Did the landlord know the dog was dangerous and have the ability to remove it or require safety measures?
• Is there renter’s, homeowner’s, or condo association insurance that may apply?
• Did the owner violate lease rules on animals?

A landlord is not automatically liable for a tenant’s dog, but in some circumstances they can be. Sorting out who controlled the property and who knew what is a critical early step.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

• The dog’s owner, in most cases
• A person keeping or controlling the dog, such as a dog walker, sitter, or kennel
• A landlord or property manager, if they knew of a dangerous dog and had control over the premises
• A business, if the attack happened on commercial property under certain conditions

Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance often covers dog bite claims, which can be a major source of compensation. Some policies exclude certain breeds or have limits, so the policy details matter.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

• Puncture wounds, lacerations, and torn skin
• Infections, including serious bacterial infections
• Nerve and tendon damage
• Broken bones, especially from being knocked down
• Facial injuries, scarring, and disfigurement
• Eye injuries
• Emotional trauma, including fear of dogs, nightmares, anxiety, and PTSD

Children face special risks. Because of their height, kids are more likely to be bitten on the face, head, and neck. Scarring may require reconstructive surgery, and emotional recovery can take time.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

1. Get medical care right away. Even small bites can become infected. Doctors may recommend antibiotics, wound care, or a tetanus shot.
2. Move away from the dog safely.
3. Identify the dog and owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and ask about the dog’s rabies vaccination status.
4. Report the bite to animal control or law enforcement. A report creates an official record and may trigger a quarantine or investigation.
5. Photograph everything: your injuries, torn clothing, the location, and the dog if it is safe to do so. Keep photographing as you heal.
6. Collect witness contact information.
7. Keep all medical records and bills.
8. Do not give a recorded statement to the owner’s insurer before speaking with an attorney.
9. Avoid social media posts about the incident.
10. Speak with an attorney early, before agreeing to any informal deal with the owner.

What Insurers May Argue

• You provoked the dog. Provocation can be a defense, but it depends on the facts.
• You were trespassing or not lawfully on the property.
• Your injuries are not as serious as claimed.
• You share the blame, for example by ignoring warnings or entering a restricted area.
• The owner’s coverage is limited, which caps what they will pay.

California’s pure comparative negligence rule can apply in some situations, meaning that if you are found partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced rather than eliminated.

Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

• Medical expenses: emergency care, surgery, antibiotics, follow-up care, and future treatment
• Reconstructive or plastic surgery for scarring and disfigurement
• Counseling for trauma and anxiety
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage, such as ruined clothing or a broken phone
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members, in the rare case of a fatal attack

For children, a full claim should consider long-term effects, including possible future surgeries as the child grows.

Settlements Involving Minors

When a child’s injury claim is settled, California courts generally must approve the settlement to confirm it is fair and in the child’s best interest. Funds are often held in a blocked account or structured arrangement until the child reaches adulthood. An attorney can guide parents through the process.

Deadlines to Keep in Mind

• Most personal injury lawsuits: generally two years from the date of injury
• Claims against government entities: generally six months for the initial claim
• Minors: the deadline for the child’s own claim may be extended until they turn 18, but a parent’s separate claim, such as for medical costs, may not receive the same extension

Do not rely on extensions. Early legal advice protects evidence and helps avoid deadline problems.

Mistakes That Can Hurt a Dog Bite Claim

• Skipping medical care because the bite “looks minor”
• Not reporting the attack to animal control
• Agreeing to an informal cash settlement with the owner
• Failing to identify the dog and owner right away
• Giving a recorded statement without advice
• Accepting a quick offer before understanding the full extent of injuries and scarring
• Waiting too long to consult an attorney

How a Glendale Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

• Investigate the attack and obtain animal control records and prior complaints
• Identify all responsible parties and applicable insurance policies
• Preserve photos, video, and witness accounts
• Work with medical providers, plastic surgeons, and mental health professionals when needed
• Calculate the full value of your current and future losses
• Handle communications and negotiations with insurers
• File a lawsuit and represent you in court if a fair settlement is not offered

Many personal injury firms work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you typically pay no attorney fees unless you recover compensation. Confirm the terms during your consultation.

Bitten by a Dog? Get the Facts on Your Options

A dog attack can leave physical scars and lasting fear, and you should not have to pay for harm caused by someone else’s animal. If you or a family member was bitten in Glendale or elsewhere in Los Angeles County, contact a Glendale personal injury lawyer to talk through what happened and learn what compensation may be available.