A dog bite is frightening in any situation—but when the dog belongs to a family member, the experience can be especially overwhelming. A pet you’ve known for years, trusted around your children, or seen at every family gathering can suddenly cause serious injury in a single unexpected moment. Many victims struggle with fear, guilt, and confusion about what to do next. But even when a family dog bites, California law still protects you, and you may have the right to pursue compensation for medical care, emotional trauma, and long-term recovery.
Your child has been bitten by a dog you know—your relative’s dog, the one that’s always been around. Now you’re faced with questions no parent wants to ask:
Does my child need emergency care?
Who pays the medical bills?
Will reporting the bite damage family relationships?
Do I have legal rights if the dog belongs to someone I love?
If you or your child has been bitten by a family member’s dog in California, you are not alone—and yes, you still have legal rights.
According to the CDC, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs each year—and over half of those victims are children. California has some of the strictest dog bite laws in the country, but few people realize that most dog bites come from familiar dogs, not strangers.
Children are often bitten during:
Family gatherings
Sleepovers
Visits to relatives
Backyard play
Holiday events
This makes the emotional toll even heavier for both the child and the parents.
California is a strict liability state for dog bites. This means:
If a dog bites someone, the owner is legally responsible,
Even if the dog never showed aggression before,
And even if the bite happened at a relative’s home.
You do not need to prove negligence. The law simply requires:
The person was bitten, and
The victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property.
This includes bites that occur in a family member’s backyard, kitchen, or living room.
This is where many parents hesitate. You don’t want to “sue” family, hurt relationships, or cause financial strain. But here’s the truth:
Most California homeowners and renters insurance policies include liability coverage for dog bites.
Dog bites can cause:
Severe infections
Nerve damage
Scarring
Emotional trauma
Long-term medical needs
Without a claim, you may become responsible for thousands of dollars in treatment costs.
Most cases settle quietly through insurance, without courtroom battles or family conflict.
Children are especially vulnerable because of their size and proximity to a dog’s mouth. Common injuries include:
Facial bites (cheeks, lips, nose, eyes)
Deep puncture wounds
Nerve damage
Scarring requiring plastic surgery
Emotional trauma (fear, anxiety, PTSD)
These injuries can affect a child physically and emotionally for years.
Mateo, age 6, was bitten during a family barbecue in Delano, CA. The family dog had always been gentle, but when Mateo reached for a toy near the dog’s food bowl, the dog lunged.
The injury required stitches and later laser scar treatments. His parents didn’t want to create conflict with their relative, but the medical bills were significant.
We filed a claim through the aunt’s homeowners insurance—not against her personally. Mateo received necessary medical care, the family stayed close, and the insurer paid $48,000 for treatment, pain, and future scar care.
In California, victims of dog bites may receive compensation for:
Emergency room care and hospitalization
Stitches, reconstructive surgery, scar treatment
Mental health counseling
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of quality of life
Future medical needs
In cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages may also be available.
Follow these steps to protect your legal rights:
Get medical attention immediately
Take photos of injuries, the scene, and torn clothing
Collect information about the dog and owner
Report the bite to animal control to create an official record
Document your child’s physical and emotional symptoms
Contact a dog bite attorney—especially if the dog belongs to family
This is the #1 concern we hear. The reality is:
Claims are handled by insurance, not your family member
You are not accusing anyone of being irresponsible
You are seeking help to pay for injuries that weren’t your fault
Most families are relieved—not upset—when insurance covers the costs.
“We didn’t want to ‘sue’ Grandma. But our daughter needed care.
The claim helped us heal without financial stress.”
— Former Colvin Accident Lawyers Client, Kern County
Delays can weaken your claim because:
Bite marks heal
Witness memories fade
Medical documentation becomes harder to obtain
Insurance companies become more skeptical
California’s statute of limitations for dog bite injuries is two years from the date of the incident. For children, the timeline may extend—but immediate action is still best.
Usually no. Most cases settle through homeowners insurance.
No. California law holds owners liable even for the first bite.
Yes—if you were lawfully on the property.
Not always. They investigate but do not automatically remove dogs.
Parents file on their behalf; settlements for minors require court approval.
Two years for adults; minors often have additional time.
A dog bite caused by a family member’s pet is emotionally and physically painful. But protecting your child’s health and future should never come second to guilt or fear.
At Colvin Accident Lawyers, we help California families navigate dog bite claims with compassion and care. Your family relationships matter—but so does your child’s well-being.
Contact Colvin Accident Lawyers today for a confidential consultation. Let our family help yours heal.
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