Victim of a dog bite?

While most dog bites are minor and leave no lasting damage, serious bites leave victims facing very different outcomes. Infections, nerve damage, permanent scarring, deep emotional trauma, and even reconstructive surgery are some of the consequences of a serious bite.

If you’re searching for a Newport Beach dog bite lawyer, it’s likely because you or a loved one is dealing with these challenges right now. In a community like Newport Beach, where dogs are part of everyday life at the beaches, trails, and neighborhoods, these incidents happen more often than many expect.

Every year, more than 300,000 people in the United States need emergency care after a dog bite, and California consistently reports the highest number of claims. The cost of a California dog bite claim is in the tens of thousands of dollars on average—the most expensive in the country. Those numbers reflect how devastating one serious bite can be.

Don’t let a dog bite cost you any more than it already has. Take the first step. Call Sweet James Accident Attorneys at (800) 900-0000 for a free case evaluation.

Key Takeaways for Newport Beach Dog Bite Lawyer

• California holds dog owners strictly liable when their dog bites someone in public or lawfully on private property, regardless of prior aggression.
• Medical treatment after a bite is vital. Even minor bites can lead to serious infections like cellulitis or tetanus.
• Children are at the highest risk, especially in familiar settings where dogs are more relaxed but unpredictable.
• Dog bite claims are rising in California, and Newport Beach sees more than its share of animal attack cases.
• Injury claims may include costs for medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma, with high-stakes cases involving facial disfigurement or permanent damage.
• Our team at Sweet James Accident Attorneys has recovered millions for injury victims, including those suffering from dog bites in California.

Why Choose Sweet James for Your Dog Bite Case?

When you work with a Newport Beach dog bite lawyer from Sweet James, you get a legal team that delivers results. Dog attacks can change the course of your life, and our job is to position you for the best possible outcome. Here are the reasons clients across Newport Beach turn to us:

We’ve Recovered Over $2 Billion for Injury Victims

Insurance companies often try to downplay dog bite injuries. We don’t let them. Our Newport Beach dog bite lawyers know how to present the evidence, highlight the long-term impact, and push for results that reflect the true cost of what you’ve endured. We have a 98% success rate in securing the compensation our clients need.

We Understand Dog Bite Law in California

Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are strictly liable when their dog bites someone. That means we don’t have to prove negligence or prior bites. If the bite happened and you were lawfully present, you have a case. Our attorneys use this statute as a launchpad to build powerful claims.

We Know Newport Beach

From Balboa Island to Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach is a community where dogs are part of daily life. That closeness also means bites can and do happen in ordinary places. Our attorneys understand how these incidents unfold in Orange County and how California law applies to protect victims.

We Don’t Charge You Upfront

Hiring a dog bite attorney in Newport Beach shouldn’t cost you anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win. Your focus should be on healing while we handle the legal fight.

Your Fight is Our Fight

We’ve seen how devastating dog bite injuries can be. Some of our clients have required extensive surgeries, suffered permanent nerve damage, and developed PTSD. We fight for every dollar because these injuries affect every part of your life, from your work to your relationships and plans for the future.

Dog Bite Injuries in Newport Beach: What You Should Know

Dog bites aren’t rare and are often more serious than people realize. California consistently leads the nation in dog bite injury claims, with 2,104 insurance claims filed in one recent year, totaling more than $165 million in damages. The average dog bite claim in California is also higher than in any other state.

In Newport Beach, many bites occur in residential neighborhoods or during recreational activities, often when dogs are off-leash or unsupervised. Whether the bite happened in Westcliff, on the Peninsula, or along the Back Bay, you may be able to hold the dog owner accountable for their pet’s actions.

Common dog bite injuries include:

• Deep puncture wounds and torn skin
• Scarring and facial injuries
• Nerve and tendon damage
• Infections requiring antibiotics or hospitalization
• Emotional trauma and lasting anxiety
• Injuries to children’s faces and hands, which are most commonly targeted

Young children are at the highest risk, especially those under the age of nine. Head and neck injuries are common, and the emotional fallout can be severe.

Can I Sue Someone If Their Dog Bit Me in Newport Beach?

Yes. California’s strict liability law means that dog owners are legally responsible for bite-related injuries, even if the dog never showed aggression before. Unlike some other states, California does not require the victim to prove that the dog was dangerous.

You may have a case if:

• You were lawfully on public or private property when bitten
• The dog was not provoked
• The bite caused physical injuries or emotional harm
• The dog was under the care of a third party (like a pet sitter or walker)

Claims can be made against the dog owner’s homeowners insurance or renters insurance, depending on where the incident occurred. If the dog has a prior history of aggression, your claim could include punitive damages in addition to standard injury compensation.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Newport Beach

By now, you’ve likely already seen a doctor or taken your child for medical care. That’s always the first step. But medical treatment is only part of the picture.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your legal rights and improve your chances of a successful claim:

• Hire a Newport Beach dog bite lawyer immediately. An attorney can act quickly to preserve evidence, contact witnesses, and begin negotiations with insurance companies.
• Attend all follow-up appointments and complete the full course of treatment. Gaps in care may be used against you to minimize your claim.
• Keep a pain and recovery journal. Write down your daily symptoms, pain levels, and the ways your injuries affect your life. This record can be powerful evidence when proving the impact of a dog bite.
• Save all records and communications. Hold onto medical bills, hospital records, photographs of your injuries, and any communications with the dog owner or their insurance company.
• Avoid speaking directly to the dog owner’s insurer. They may try to get a recorded statement to use against you.
• Report the bite to Newport Beach Animal Control or the Orange County Health Care Agency. These reports create an official record that can support your case.

Taking these steps protects your health and strengthens your ability to hold the dog owner accountable. Each action creates a clearer record of what happened and strengthens your claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?

A dog attack can leave lasting physical, financial, and emotional effects. If you’ve been bitten in Newport Beach, California law allows you to pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries. This includes economic losses and compensation for pain and suffering and other personal injuries that don’t come with a price tag but still change your life.

Your recovery may include:

• Medical expenses: ER visits, surgeries, infection treatment, physical therapy, scar revision
• Lost wages or income: time off work, diminished future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering: both physical pain and emotional trauma, such as PTSD or anxiety
• Permanent disfigurement or disability
• Emotional distress: especially in cases involving children or highly visible scarring
• Property damage, if applicable (for example, torn clothing or broken glasses)

The cost of a dog bite claim in California increases when surgery, hospitalizations, or long-term care are needed. If a child is bitten on the face or a hand is permanently injured, the value of the claim may increase significantly.

Your attorney will also account for future expenses that may not be obvious now, such as additional procedures, counseling, or the long-term impact on your ability to work.

Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in California?

In most cases, the dog’s owner is liable. Under California Civil Code § 3342, the law imposes strict liability on owners if their dog bites someone in a public place or while lawfully on private property. This applies even if the dog has never shown aggression before.

However, liability may also extend to:

• A landlord, if they knew the dog was dangerous and failed to act
• A caretaker or dog walker who ignored safety protocols
• A business owner, if the dog was on commercial property

California courts have repeatedly upheld strict liability for dog bites, and this makes the path to recovery more straightforward if you have legal help. You’re not required to prove negligence, but you must still show that the incident occurred under lawful circumstances.

Our Newport Beach dog bite attorneys also evaluate whether other parties might share fault, especially in cases involving commercial settings, third-party caregivers, or prior complaints that went unaddressed.

Common Defenses Dog Owners Use—and How We Respond

Even in a strict liability state like California, insurance companies often try to minimize claims by shifting blame. Here are the most common defenses we see—and how we handle them.

• “The dog was provoked.” This is often raised when children are involved. We investigate what really happened and work with animal behaviorists or eyewitnesses when needed.
• “The victim was trespassing.” If you had a legal right to be on the property, such as visiting a friend or delivering mail, this argument doesn’t hold.
• “The dog has never bitten anyone before.” Irrelevant. Strict liability applies regardless of prior behavior.
• “The injuries aren’t that serious.” We work with your doctors to document the full extent of your injuries, including psychological effects that are harder to see but just as real.

We don’t accept lowball settlement offers, and we won’t let insurance companies shift blame to you when the law is on your side.

The Human Side of Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite cases are often sensitive because many victims are bitten by a dog they know — a friend’s pet, a neighbor’s dog, or even a family member’s companion. That can make it difficult to report the incident or consider legal action. You may feel conflicted about filing a claim, worried about straining relationships, or fearful the dog will be taken away.

In reality, most dog bite claims are paid by homeowners or renters insurance, not directly from the dog owner’s pocket. Pursuing compensation usually does not damage personal relationships but ensures your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses are properly covered.

As for the dog, California law does not automatically punish an animal for a first bite. Typically, the dog will be quarantined for a short period to check for rabies and may be required to follow safety measures such as leashing or training. Removal or euthanasia is considered only in very rare cases of repeated serious or extremely dangerous attacks.

We know many people love the dog even as they struggle with the injuries. Our job is to respect those feelings while still protecting your rights. You should not have to choose between your health and your relationships. We can help you pursue the compensation you need while handling the process in a way that minimizes conflict and reassures everyone involved.

Take the Next Step: Call a Newport Beach Dog Bite Lawyer Who Fights to Win

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Newport Beach, your next step matters. Don’t try to deal with the insurance company on your own. And don’t wait until the medical bills pile up or the physical pain becomes unbearable. You have the right to seek the compensation you need, and our experienced Newport Beach personal injury lawyer team knows how to fight for it.

We are based right here in Newport Beach. We know the local laws, we’ve built relationships with local medical providers, and we’ve taken on the same insurance carriers you may now be dealing with. We know how they operate, and we don’t let them push our clients around.

Don’t wait. Call Sweet James at (800) 900-0000 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll listen, give you honest advice, and if we handle your claim, we start working immediately to pursue the compensation you need to move forward.