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Key Takeaways
- San Diego ranked #8 among all U.S. cities for dog attacks on mail carriers in 2025, with 32 reported dog bite incidents in the city and more than 60 across San Diego County.
- California’s strict liability law means dog owners are responsible if their dog bites you, no history of aggression required, no exceptions.
- You don’t have to have been bitten. If a dog knocked you down, charged at you, or caused you to fall, you may still have a valid claim.
- Victims can recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, and psychological trauma including PTSD.
- Never give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. It can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
- California’s statute of limitations for dog bite claims is two years, but evidence disappears fast. The earlier you act, the stronger your case.
In representing personal injury victims across San Diego for over 35 years, we have seen firsthand what happens when someone is attacked by a dog. The shock, the medical bills, the fear that lingers long after the physical wounds heal. We have also seen how often victims walk away from valid legal claims simply because they did not know what California law entitles them to recover.
This year, a federal report made the scope of San Diego’s dog bite problem impossible to ignore. According to newly released U.S. Postal Service data, San Diego ranked #8 among all U.S. cities for dog attacks on mail carriers in 2025, with 32 reported incidents in the city and more than 60 throughout San Diego County. Nationally, USPS employees suffered over 5,200 dog attacks last year.
Mail carriers are among the most visible victims. But dog bites happen every day to joggers, neighbors, children, delivery drivers, and anyone else who happens to be in the wrong place when a dog is not properly controlled. If you were one of them, here is what you need to know.
California Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability with No Exceptions
California operates under a strict liability standard for dog bites. Under Civil Code Section 3342, a dog owner is liable for damages when their dog bites someone who is lawfully in a public place, a sidewalk, a park, a street, or lawfully on private property, including any worker who has a legitimate reason to be there.
Strict liability means the victim does not need to prove negligence. There is no requirement to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous, that the dog had a history of aggression, or that the owner did anything wrong. The bite itself is sufficient to establish liability. California abolished the so-called “one free bite” rule that still exists in some other states.
For mail carriers, delivery drivers, and utility workers, this protection is especially significant. These workers are on private property by definition and are fully covered under California law. But the same protection extends to guests, neighbors, and strangers who were doing nothing wrong when the attack occurred.
What About Attacks Without a Bite?
A dog bite claim does not require a bite. Under California’s broader personal injury framework, dog owners can also be held liable for other injuries their animal causes. A dog that charges and causes a jogger to fall, a large breed that jumps on an elderly visitor and breaks a hip, or a dog that causes someone to swerve off a bicycle path. If the dog’s behavior caused the injury, the owner may be responsible.
What a Dog Bite Claim Can Recover
Dog attacks cause a wide range of injuries, many of which worsen over time or carry long-term consequences that are not immediately apparent. A successful personal injury claim in California can recover compensation for every way the attack has affected your life:
- Medical expenses: emergency care, surgery, wound care, infection treatment, physical therapy, and any ongoing or future treatment needs
- Lost wages: income lost during recovery, and future earning capacity if injuries are permanent or career-limiting
- Pain and suffering: compensation for the physical pain endured and the emotional toll of the experience
- Scarring and disfigurement: particularly relevant when injuries are visible or cause permanent physical changes to the face, hands, or other exposed areas
- Psychological trauma: post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic anxiety, fear responses, and the cost of mental health treatment, all recognized as compensable damages in California
We frequently see cases where the victim’s psychological injuries outlast the physical ones. PTSD following a violent dog attack is a legitimate medical condition, and courts take it seriously. Do not assume that because a wound has healed the case is less valuable.
Why Early Action Matters
California’s statute of limitations for dog bite claims is two years from the date of the attack. That may seem generous, but evidence is time-sensitive. Photographs fade in quality, witnesses become harder to locate, medical records get harder to compile, and the dog’s history of prior incidents may become unavailable. Attorneys who handle dog bite cases know what evidence matters and how to preserve it quickly. The earlier a case is evaluated, the more tools are available to build it.
When a Claim Is Worth Pursuing, and When Caution Is Warranted
Not every dog bite incident results in a case worth litigating. In evaluating a potential claim, we consider the severity of the injuries, the clarity of liability, the availability of insurance coverage, and the victim’s long-term prognosis. A dog bite that causes a minor wound and no lasting effects may settle quickly and for a modest amount. A serious attack involving surgery, hospitalization, visible scarring, or psychological trauma is a materially different matter.
What we caution against is assuming that a claim is not worth pursuing without first getting a professional evaluation. Many victims self-select out of the legal process prematurely, either because they underestimate the value of their injuries or because they are intimidated by the process. Our job is to give you an honest picture of what your situation looks like and what your options are.
Banker’s Hill Law Firm, APC, has represented personal injury victims in San Diego for over 35 years. Our dog bite cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. No upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no payment of any kind unless we win your case. We serve clients in English and Spanish.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. California Civil Code Section 3342 imposes strict liability on dog owners. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or acted carelessly. You must only show that the dog bit you and that you were lawfully in the location where the bite occurred.
A successful claim can recover medical expenses (current and future), lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and psychological trauma including PTSD. The value of a claim depends on the severity of injuries, long-term prognosis, and availability of insurance coverage.
Two years from the date of the attack under California’s statute of limitations. However, waiting works against you. Witnesses become harder to find, medical records harder to compile, and evidence harder to secure. We recommend consulting an attorney as soon as you are medically stable.
Not before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to gather information that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. A recorded statement made without legal counsel can significantly harm your case. Consult an attorney first, even for a free evaluation.
At Banker’s Hill Law Firm, dog bite cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no fees of any kind unless we win your case. The initial case evaluation is always free.
Seek medical attention first, even if the wound appears minor. Then document the scene with photographs, report the incident to San Diego County Animal Services and law enforcement, collect witness information, and contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with any insurance representative.