Dog bite injuries can be traumatic and complicated, both physically and legally, and understanding your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to can be complex. At Flahavan Law, we have years of experience helping dog bite victims navigate the legal system. Whether you’ve suffered minor injuries or more serious trauma, we’re here to guide you through the process, fight for your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Read below to learn more about your legal options, or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Dog Bite Attorney in Rohnert Park
A dog bite is never “just a bite.” In seconds, teeth can tear muscle, sever nerves, fracture bones, and leave permanent scars both visible and invisible. Children often suffer the worst attacks to the face, neck, and arms because they are at eye level with many dogs. Adults can lose fingers, develop crippling infections, or face months of reconstructive surgery. The emotional damage can be just as severe: fear of dogs, nightmares, anxiety around strangers, and reluctance to play outside.
At Flahavan Law Offices in Santa Rosa, Brian Flahavan has spent more than twenty years helping Sonoma County families recover physically, emotionally, and financially after vicious dog attacks. We have represented dozens of victims right here in Rohnert Park, Cotati, and the surrounding neighborhoods, forcing insurance companies to pay for medical bills, therapy, plastic surgery, lost wages, and the pain no child or adult should ever have to endure.
Our team will manage any aspects of your case, from securing medical records to acquiring professional opinions to creating persuasive materials that will maximize your recovery. In light of the lasting effects on your life and the need to hold negligent dog owners accountable, we will work tirelessly for that cause. If you or your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog anywhere in the North Bay, call us today for a completely free, confidential consultation. You will never pay us anything unless we win money for you.
California’s Strict Liability Law – The Strongest in the Nation
California Civil Code §3342 is one of the most victim-friendly dog-bite statutes in America. It makes the owner strictly liable when their dog bites someone who is:
- In a public place, or
- Lawfully on private property (including being invited into a home or apartment).
You do not have to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had bitten before. The bite itself is enough to establish liability. This means victims can focus on recovery rather than lengthy legal battles over negligence. The only rare defenses available to a dog owner are trespassing or provoking the dog, and even these are narrowly interpreted by the courts.
Because of this law, victims of dog bites have a strong legal foundation to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced attorney can help ensure that the owner is held fully accountable and that victims receive the compensation they deserve without unnecessary delay or difficulty.
Other Parties Who Can Share Responsibility
- Landlords and property managers who knew (or should have known) about a dangerous dog on their property
- Homeowners’ associations that failed to enforce pet rules
- Dog walkers, groomers, or sitters who lost control
- Parents of minors who own the dog (parents are liable under Family Code §3342.5)
- Businesses that allow dogs on premises (stores, breweries, outdoor cafes)
We investigate every possible source of recovery so no insurance policy is left untapped.
Contact Flahavan Law Office
Common Dog Bite Locations in Rohnert Park
- Apartment complexes along Redwood Drive, Adrian Drive, and Southwest Boulevard, where dogs escape balconies or poorly latched gates
- Parks, including Magnolia Park, Ladybug Park, and the dog park at Dorado Park
- Neighborhood sidewalks and greenbelts where owners walk dogs off-leash
- Sonoma State University campus and surrounding student housing
- Front yards and driveways during mail delivery, meter reading, or kids playing
- Friends’ and relatives’ homes during birthday parties or barbecues
- Local businesses that advertise as “dog-friendly.”
The Injuries Are Often Life-Altering
Physical injuries from dog attacks include:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Nerve damage causing permanent numbness or loss of function
- Crushed bones and compound fractures
- Rabies exposure and other serious infections (Capnocytophaga, Pasteurella, MRSA)
- Facial disfigurement requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries
- Eye injuries and vision loss
- Amputations of fingers, ears, or portions of the scalp
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, especially in children
Many victims need years of plastic surgery, occupational therapy, and counseling. Children often develop lifelong animal phobias and avoid playgrounds or parks.
How Insurance Companies Try to Pay as Little as Possible
Homeowners and renters insurance almost always covers dog bites (average policy limits $100,000–$500,000). Yet adjusters still fight:
- Claiming the victim provoked the dog by “running” or “making eye contact.”
- Arguing that the child was trespassing even when playing in a common area
- Offering quick $5,000–$15,000 settlements before scarring is permanent
- Demanding the child be re-examined by their doctor to “prove” the injury isn’t that bad
- Blaming parents for a lack of supervision
We reject every low offer and force insurers to see the full lifetime impact of the attack.
What We Do From Day One to Build the Strongest Case
We move fast because evidence disappears quickly:
- Photograph injuries in detail before treatment and throughout healing
- Obtain 911 calls, animal control reports, and the bite history of the dog
- Interview neighbors about prior aggression or complaints
- Preserve clothing torn in the attack
- Secure surveillance video from doorbells, apartments, or businesses
- Work with pediatric plastic surgeons and therapists to document future needs
- Prepare day-in-the-life videos showing how the injury affects school, sports, and sleep
- Hire canine behavior experts when the owner claims, “It came out of nowhere.”
Full Compensation Available Under California Law
Successful dog-bite victims recover:
- All past and future medical expenses (ER, surgery, therapy, counseling)
- Reconstructive and plastic surgery costs
- Lost wages for parents caring for injured children
- Pain and suffering (often the most significant component)
- Emotional distress and psychological counseling
- Scarring and disfigurement damage
- Punitive damages if the owner knew the dog was dangerous and did nothing
Settlements and verdicts in severe cases commonly range from $100,000 to more than $1 million, depending on the extent of scarring and long-term impairment.
Special Care for Child Victims
We understand that a child’s case is different. Courts recognize that facial scarring on a five-year-old will affect them for eighty years, not twenty. We work with child psychologists, school counselors, and life-care planners to show the full impact on education, social development, and future earning capacity. Settlements for minors are placed into protected accounts and supervised by the court until age eighteen.
Injuries sustained by children are often not only physical but also emotionally and socially effected. This is true regardless of whether the injury occurred during a sporting event or through any other means. Emotional trauma, challenges in school, and creating and maintaining friendships are some examples of how injuries affect children’s emotional well-being. We need to adopt a holistic approach to documenting both physical and psychological ramifications of child-related injuries. We consider every aspect of the child’s immediate and long-term future when negotiating settlement amounts or preparing to take cases to trial.
Parents and guardians can focus on supporting their child while we handle the complex legal and financial issues. We collaborate closely with medical and educational specialists to anticipate our patients’ long-term care and therapy needs, as well as any necessary accommodations over the patient’s lifetime. By planning for the future in this manner, we seek to provide a compensation package that accurately reflects how the injury has affected the child’s quality of life over their entire life, giving the family the resources and security necessary to succeed in the future.
Local Knowledge That Gets Results
We know which apartment complexes in Rohnert Park have repeated loose-dog complaints, which neighborhoods ignore leash laws, and which insurance adjusters try to low-ball North Bay claims. Years of practice in Sonoma County Superior Court give us the credibility to achieve faster, fairer settlements. Our deep local knowledge, combined with strong relationships with medical experts, life-care planners, and investigators, allows us to build cases that fully document the physical, emotional, and financial impact of dog attacks, ensuring victims receive the maximum compensation they deserve without unnecessary delays.
