Murrieta Dog Bite Lawyer
Trusted Dog Bite Attorney in Murrieta, CA
Most dog bites heal with basic first aid, but the serious ones can mean reconstructive surgery, lasting nerve damage, or worse.
California does not ask whether the dog had bitten anyone before. A Murrieta dog bite lawyer at Duque & Price can help you understand whether the law puts the cost of an injury on the dog’s owner.
Founding attorney Brent A. Duque has been a licensed California attorney for more than 20 years and has spent that time learning which defenses an insurer reaches for first.
Schedule a free consultation and let us know how the bite happened and we can tell you how we can help.
| 20+ Years Licensed Attorney | 2,000+ Cases Resolved | Multiple Southern California Offices | Free Consultations Available |
The Injuries a Murrieta Dog Bite Claim Most Often Involves
National data from the CDC shows dog bites and attacks kill an average of 43 people a year in the United States, a reminder that a serious attack is never something to brush off. Not every dog bite looks the same, and the injury type often drives how a claim is valued. The injuries our dog attack lawyers in Murrieta have seen include:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations requiring stitches or staples
- Facial injuries, including damage to the nose, lips, or ears
- Nerve damage or loss of feeling in a hand, arm, or leg
- Torn muscles or tendons from being knocked down or dragged
- Infections, including MRSA and rabies exposure requiring treatment
- Lasting fear of dogs, especially in children, requiring counseling
Some of these personal injuries heal in weeks. Others take months of physical therapy, plastic surgery, or ongoing counseling, and the full extent of the harm is not always obvious right after the attack. For more information about potential compensation, see our guide to average dog bite settlement amounts in California.
California’s No-Excuses Rule for Dog Owners
California is a strict liability state under Civil Code Section 3342. A dog owner is responsible for a bite that happens in a public place or anywhere a person is lawfully present, regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before. There is no “one free bite” rule here, and an owner cannot escape responsibility by claiming the attack came as a surprise.
Insurers typically respond with one of a small set of defenses instead of arguing the owner did nothing wrong: that the victim was trespassing, provoked the dog through some affirmative action like cornering or hitting it, or, in narrow cases such as a veterinarian or kennel worker bitten on the job, assumed the risk. California’s comparative negligence rule can also reduce, but rarely eliminates, a recovery.
Why the Murrieta Courthouse for a Dog Bite Case Changed in 2026?
Animal control and shelter services in Murrieta are handled by Animal Friends of the Valleys, not a separate city department. Reporting a bite there starts a rabies quarantine and creates an official record that can support a claim later — worth doing even if a lawsuit isn’t the plan.
If a claim cannot be resolved with the owner’s insurer, the next step may be a lawsuit. Riverside County reassigned where unlimited civil cases are filed starting August 2026. Serious injury lawsuits from Murrieta, including most dog bite claims, are now filed at the Historic Courthouse in Riverside rather than the Southwest Justice Center on Auld Road.
Duque & Price keeps an office in Riverside, close to both courthouses and Murrieta.
FAQS About Murrieta, CA Dog Bite Laws
What does it cost to hire a Murrieta dog bite lawyer?
In Murrieta, Duque & Price offers a free consultation, and dog bite cases are handled on contingency, so there is no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover compensation.
What if the dog that bit me had never bitten anyone before in California?
It does not matter. Under California’s strict liability law, an owner is responsible for a bite even if the dog had a spotless history and no reason existed to think it was dangerous.
Will my case go through the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance in Murrieta?
Most Murrieta dog bite claims are paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy. If the owner is uninsured or the policy excludes the breed involved, we look at whether a landlord or another party shares responsibility.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault for the attack in California?
California’s comparative negligence rules can reduce, but usually do not eliminate, a recovery when a victim’s own actions contributed to the bite. This differs from the provocation and trespass defenses written directly into the dog bite statute.
What if the dog that bit me was a police or military dog in California?
California’s dog bite statute carves out narrow exceptions for dogs performing police or military duties. These cases involve a different legal analysis and are worth discussing with an attorney directly.
Do I have to report the bite even if I do not plan to sue?
Reporting is strongly recommended either way. Animal Friends of the Valleys uses bite reports to track rabies exposure and identify dogs that may pose an ongoing danger to others.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in California?
In California, generally two years from the date of the bite, under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. If the person bitten is a minor, the deadline generally does not start running until they turn 18.
The Dog’s Owner Is Responsible. A Murrieta Dog Bite Lawyer Can Prove It.
A serious dog attack leaves more than physical scars—it can impact your financial stability and peace of mind. At Duque & Price, our attorneys draw on over two decades of legal experience to hold negligent dog owners accountable.
We don’t settle for quick, low offers from insurance companies; we fight to secure the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact Duque & Price today for a free consultation.
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