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Santa Ana Dog Bite Lawyer

  • 35 years of litigation experience
  • State and federal courts
  • We take on the tough cases
  • English & Spanish
  • No Fee Until We Win
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Legally Reviewed by Tom Willford on November 5, 2026

A dog bite can cause painful injuries, lasting scars, and fear that does not go away when the wounds heal. If you or your child was bitten in Santa Ana, you may be dealing with medical bills, missed work, and questions about who is responsible.

Attorney Tom Willford has spent 35 years litigating cases in state and federal courts. His firm takes on difficult cases that many other attorneys will not.

We work to understand what happened, document your injuries, and explain your options.

Aggressive dog showing its teeth

Time-Sensitive: California Law Limits Your Window to File

In most California dog bite cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit.

Deadlines can differ for children and for incidents involving a public entity. Tom Willford has represented injured clients for 35 years. Reach out early so your deadline is not missed.

Dog Bite Injuries in Santa Ana: What to Know

Dog bites happen in neighborhoods, parks, apartment complexes, and workplaces across Orange County. Many victims are children, and many injuries are more serious than they first appear.

  • Bites can cause deep wounds, nerve damage, and infection.
  • Scarring and emotional trauma can last long after the physical injury heals.
  • California law is often favorable to bite victims, and an owner may be responsible even if the dog had never bitten anyone before, depending on the circumstances.

Every situation is different, so we review the facts and the law before advising you.

Dog and small child walking in a park

Common Injuries From Dog Bites

Dog attacks can cause both physical and emotional harm, including:

  • Puncture wounds, lacerations, and torn skin
  • Infections, including conditions that need prompt treatment
  • Broken bones and crush injuries
  • Nerve and tendon damage
  • Facial injuries and permanent scarring
  • Anxiety, nightmares, and fear of dogs, especially in children

Some injuries need surgery or long-term care. See a doctor promptly, even if a wound seems minor.

Doctor examining a patient's fractured arm

Why Dog Bite Cases Take Experience

Dog bite claims can involve more than the dog and its owner. You need a lawyer who understands:

  • Who is legally responsible – an owner, a keeper, a landlord, or a property owner, depending on the facts
  • Insurance – many bite claims involve homeowner or renter insurance, and policies can have limits and conditions
  • Evidence – photos, medical records, and animal control reports that may be hard to obtain later
  • Comparative fault – how California rules can reduce a recovery if a person shares blame

Tom Willford has litigated complex cases in state and federal courts for 35 years, and he is prepared to take a difficult case to trial when needed.

Personal injury attorneys discussing a case at a meeting
Dog owner walking a dog on a leash

Who May Be Responsible for a Dog Bite?

Responsibility depends on who owned, kept, or controlled the dog and the property. Depending on the facts, it may involve:

  • The dog’s owner or keeper
  • A landlord or property manager who knew about a dangerous dog
  • A business or property owner
  • A dog walker, boarding facility, or other caretaker

We investigate the details to identify who may be responsible.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Depending on your case, you may be able to seek damages for:

  • Medical bills – emergency care, surgery, antibiotics, follow-up treatment
  • Scarring and reconstructive care – including plastic surgery when needed
  • Lost income – missed work and reduced earning ability
  • Pain and suffering – including emotional trauma and anxiety
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Every case is different, and no result can be promised. We evaluate your claim based on real evidence and how the bite has affected your life.

Health care billing statement with a stethoscope
Beware of dog warning sign on a picket fence

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Santa Ana

To protect your health and your legal rights:

  1. Get medical care right away – even for a bite that looks minor
  2. Report the bite to animal control or the police so there is an official record
  3. Get the owner’s information – name, address, and the dog’s vaccination details if you can
  4. Take photos of your injuries, the dog, and the location
  5. Get witness contact information
  6. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney
  7. Call Willford Law Corp. – we will explain your options

California generally gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, and acting quickly helps protect your case.

How We Build Your Case

We use facts and evidence to support your claim, which may include:

  • Photos of injuries as they heal
  • Medical records and bills
  • Animal control and police reports
  • The dog’s vaccination and incident history, where available
  • Eyewitness accounts
  • Expert analysis where appropriate

We build a clear case that shows how the bite happened and how it has changed your life.

Lawyer and client reviewing case documents before signing

Working With Willford Law Corp. on Your Claim

Insurance companies may dispute how a bite happened or how serious an injury is. You should have an attorney who knows how to respond.

Tom Willford handles negotiations and pushes for a fair outcome. If a fair resolution is not offered, we are prepared to take the case to court.

Santa Ana personal injury attorney Tom Willford

Why Choose Tom Willford as Your Santa Ana Dog Bite Lawyer?

  • 35 years of litigation experience – Personal injury is his passion
  • State and federal courts – Admitted in the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California
  • Difficult cases welcome – We take on cases many attorneys will not
  • Local office – Metro Pointe in Santa Ana, near South Coast Plaza and the 405 and 55 freeways
  • Bilingual service – English and Spanish

A dog attack can change a life, and the stakes are high. We treat these cases seriously.

Attorney Tom Willford at Willford Law Corporation office

California Law and Your Dog Bite Claim

California has laws that can hold dog owners responsible when their dog bites someone, and the rules depend on where the bite happened and the facts of the case. California also follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so a person who shares some fault may still recover compensation, although the award can be reduced by that share.

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, and a written claim generally must be presented within six months if a public agency is involved. Learn more about premises liability and serious injuries, or contact Willford Law Corporation to protect your deadline.

FAQ Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after a dog bite in Santa Ana?
Get medical care right away, even if the bite looks minor, because infections can develop. Report the bite to animal control or the police, get the owner’s name and contact information, and photograph your injuries and the location. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
Not always, but California law is often favorable to bite victims, and an owner may be responsible even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. The outcome depends on where the bite happened and the facts, so an attorney can review your situation.
Get your child medical care right away and report the bite. Children’s injuries, especially to the face, can bring lasting scars and emotional effects, and special rules can apply to a child’s claim. Contact us so we can explain how it works.
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Will homeowner's insurance cover a dog bite?
Many bite claims are paid through a homeowner or renter insurance policy, but coverage depends on the policy terms, limits, and exclusions. We look at the available insurance as part of reviewing your claim.
In many cases, yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so you may still recover compensation if you share some fault, although your award can be reduced by your percentage of fault.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. A claim involving a government agency can require a written claim within six months. Contact us as soon as possible so your deadline is not missed.
Report the bite to animal control or the police right away and share any details you remember about the dog, the owner, and the location. Witnesses, nearby cameras, and neighbors may help identify who is responsible, and we can help you understand your options.

Let's Get Started.

Call us now to discuss your case. At Willford Law Corporation, our clients come first. We know how to navigate the complicated legal system, have represented thousands of clients, and we can help you too.

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