Dog bites? The owner's insurance usually pays, not the owner.
Most dog bite claims are paid by homeowner's or renter's insurance, so you can make a claim without ruining a relationship. Free case review, no fee unless we win, and a real person answers 24/7.
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What you can get paid for
A dog bite claim covers everything the injury took from you, now and later.
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Deadlines vary. Act early.
How long you have depends on the type of case and who is responsible. Some claims, such as those against a government agency, have deadlines measured in months, not years. Call early, and we find the deadline that applies to you.
Dog bite questions we get every day
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Dog bite cases in nine states
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More about dog bites
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Updated September 2026. General information, not legal advice about your case.
Dog bites: what to know
More than 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year, and more than 800,000 receive medical attention, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Bites can cause deep wounds, infection, nerve damage and lasting scars.
The law is different in each state
- California: the owner is responsible for a bite in a public place or where you were lawfully present, even if the dog never bit anyone before (Civil Code 3342).
- Illinois: the owner is responsible if the dog attacks or injures a person, without provocation, who was acting peaceably where they were lawfully allowed to be (510 ILCS 5/16).
- Massachusetts: the owner or keeper is responsible unless the injured person was trespassing, or teasing or abusing the dog.
- Nevada: there is no special dog-bite statute. A claim usually depends on showing the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous.
- Other states in which we handle cases have their own rules.
Who pays
Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner or renter insurance, not by the owner personally. A landlord or property manager can sometimes share responsibility.
What to do now
- Get medical care right away. Dog bites often become infected.
- Get the owner's name, address and insurance, and confirm the dog's vaccination status.
- Report the bite to animal control.
- Photograph your injuries as they heal, and the place where it happened.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the owner's insurer.
- Call us. Deadlines vary. There is no fee or cost unless we recover money for you.
Not sure if you have a case? Call anyway. It's free to ask.
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This is a paid advertisement for TORKLAW, not an offer or guarantee of results. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Some matters may be referred to partner firms as appropriate. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Tracy R. Horn, Esq. is responsible for this advertisement. Main Office: 18650 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92612.