Garden Grove · Dog Bites
Garden Grove Dog
Bite Lawyer
Bitten by a neighbor's dog, at an apartment complex, or on a walk? In California the owner is responsible. Our Garden Grove office is minutes away, and we speak Vietnamese and Spanish.
A Garden Grove dog bite lawyer who knows the local process.
A dog bite happens in seconds, and the wounds, scars, and fear can last for years, especially for children. California makes the owner responsible for a bite, even if the dog never bit anyone before. Most of these claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, so a claim is usually not about taking money from a neighbor.
The Le Firm's Garden Grove office is at 13252 W Garden Grove Blvd. Attorney Harrison Le is a former public defender who has litigated more than 20 jury trials, and our team includes Vietnamese and Spanish speakers.
What to do after a dog bite in Garden Grove
Get medical care
Bites get infected quickly. Garden Grove Hospital and Medical Center is on Garden Grove Blvd. Tell the doctor it was a dog bite so it is documented.
Report the bite to Garden Grove Animal Care
Garden Grove runs its own animal field services: Garden Grove Animal Care Services, 13802 Newhope Street, (714) 741-5565, open 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM daily. After hours, call Garden Grove Police at (714) 741-5704. The city notes that withholding information about a dog bite is a misdemeanor.
Identify the dog and the owner
Get the owner's name, address, and the dog's description. The dog is normally quarantined for 10 days after a bite, which also answers the rabies question.
Photograph the wounds and the scene
Take photos the same day and as the wounds heal. Photograph the gate, fence, or leash that failed.
Do not talk to the owner's insurer first
The insurance company will call. You do not have to give a recorded statement. Send them to us.
Who to call in Garden Grove
Garden Grove handles animal calls itself, which is different from many Orange County cities that use OC Animal Care.
Garden Grove Animal Care Services13802 Newhope St, (714) 741-5565, daily 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
After hoursGarden Grove Police, (714) 741-5704
Animal shelterProvided by the OC Humane Society, per the city
Quarantine10 days for a dog that bites a person (OC Animal Care and state rule)
Emergency care nearbyGarden Grove Hospital and Medical Center, 12601 Garden Grove Blvd
Trauma centerUCI Medical Center in Orange, the county's Level I
California dog bite law in plain terms
The owner is strictly liable for a bite. Under Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner is liable when the dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before. California has no "one bite" rule.
Knocked down, not bitten? A dog that knocks you over or chases you into traffic is a negligence claim under Civil Code section 1714, often supported by a leash law violation.
Landlords can share the blame. A landlord who knew a tenant's dog was dangerous and could have required its removal can owe a duty to the people it injures (Uccello v. Laudenslayer, 1975).
Deadlines. Two years from the bite to file most claims (Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). If a public entity owned the dog or controlled the property, a written claim is due within six months (Government Code section 911.2). A child's deadline is usually paused until age 18 (CCP 352).
Compensation
What a Garden Grove dog bite claim can recover
Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, not out of the owner's pocket. We document every loss.
MedicalER care, wound repair, infection treatment, rabies shots, and plastic surgery for scars.
ScarringDisfigurement, especially on the face and hands, valued with photos and surgeon opinions.
Emotional harmFear, anxiety, and trauma counseling, especially for children.
IncomeTime missed from work for treatment and recovery.
13252 W Garden Grove Blvd #206, Garden Grove, CA 92843
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Bitten by a Dog in Garden Grove?
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