Concord Dog Bite Attorney
Dog Bite Lawyers Serving Concord and Contra Costa County
A dog attack can upend your life in an instant — leaving you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and no clear path forward. If you were bitten by a dog in Concord, California law entitles you to compensation from the dog’s owner, and Dog Bite Law Group is here to pursue it. Attorney John Montevideo handles dog bite cases exclusively and works personally on every file from the first call through final resolution.
California Civil Code § 3342 imposes strict liability on dog owners for bite injuries. No prior history of aggression is required. The bite itself is enough to establish liability.
Compensation Available to Concord Dog Bite Victims
A successful claim in Concord can recover compensation for:
- All medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and specialist treatment
- Future medical needs including reconstructive procedures and mental health care
- Lost income during recovery and reduced earning capacity going forward
- Pain and suffering, past and future
- Emotional distress and psychological injury including PTSD
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Out-of-pocket costs tied directly to the attack
The dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance is typically the primary source of recovery. As the result above demonstrates, umbrella and excess policies can significantly expand what is available. Our firm handles all insurer communications directly so you are never negotiating alone.
| Topic | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | California Civil Code § 3342 — Strict Liability |
| Leash Law | Contra Costa County Ordinance Division 416-4.402 |
| Animal Control Phone | (925) 608-8400 — Non-Emergency / Officer Dispatch |
| Statute of Limitations | 2 years from date of bite |
| Fee Structure | No fee unless we win |
How California’s Strict Liability Law Works
Under California Civil Code § 3342, a dog owner is liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or on property where the victim was lawfully present, and the bite caused harm. The owner’s awareness — or lack of awareness — of the dog’s temperament is irrelevant. There is no “first bite free” rule in California.
This standard applies to every dog bite in Concord, whether the attack occurred on a walking trail, a public street, a neighbor’s yard, or inside a home during a visit. Our attorneys know how to document and build a complete case that accounts for every element of your damages.
Reporting a Dog Bite in Concord
Filing an official animal control report after a bite creates a documented record of the incident, triggers a quarantine and rabies evaluation, and establishes whether the dog has any prior bite history — all of which can be critical to your legal claim.
Contra Costa County Animal Services — Concord
Concord is served by Contra Costa County Animal Services. To report a bite or request an officer:
- Phone: Call the Non-Emergency Police number, (925) 608-8400 and an Animal Control Officer will be dispatched if the animal is aggressive.
- Coverage: Officers are on call before and after regular business hours.
- Online: Contra Costa County — Report an Animal Bite
For a complete guide to reporting a dog bite anywhere in Contra Costa County, visit our dedicated page: How to Call and Report a Dog Bite Attack in Contra Costa County.
Contra Costa County Animals at Large Law
Contra Costa County Animals at Large Law Text — Division 416-4.402
No person owning, possessing, harboring, or controlling any animal shall allow such animal to be at large.
As used in this section, “at large” means an animal which, in the case of dogs, is not under effective restraint by a leash — except when on private property owned by or in the possession of the person owning or controlling the dog.
Additional provisions of Division 416-4.402 specify that an animal is also considered at large when it:
- Is tethered or leashed on any street or other public place in a way that blocks a public walkway or thoroughfare, or for longer than fifteen minutes
- Is pastured, tethered, or otherwise present on private property or in any public building without the consent of the owner or occupant
- Fights, bites, or causes harm to any other animal or person unless such animal or person has entered the private property owned by or in the possession of the person owning or controlling the animal
Exemptions: A working dog performing acts such as herding under the control and supervision of its owner/handler is not considered at large while performing those duties. Hunting, obedience, tracking, or show dogs are not considered at large while performing in those capacities. Dogs being exercised under owner control in public areas designated for animal exercise are also exempt.
When a dog owner violates Division 416-4.402 and a bite results, that violation is direct evidence of negligence — on top of the strict liability already established under Civil Code § 3342. California courts have held that violation of a local animal control ordinance designed to protect public safety constitutes negligence per se. For the full text of Contra Costa County leash and animal control laws, see our Contra Costa County Dog Leash Laws page.
Your Attorney: John Michael Montevideo
Founder & Lead Trial Attorney — Dog Bite Law Group
John Montevideo practices one area of law: dog bite and dog attack cases. Every matter the firm accepts is a dog bite case — no general personal injury, no split focus. That concentration translates directly into deeper knowledge of California’s strict liability framework, Contra Costa County ordinances, and the insurance defense tactics victims in Concord are most likely to face.
John has recovered compensation ranging from five figures to eight figures for clients throughout California. He holds bar admissions in all California courts, the District of Columbia, and the United States District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California. The National Trial Lawyers has recognized him as a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer, and he has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Top 40 Under 40 honoree.
Every client works directly with John — not support staff, not a junior attorney. He is on your case from intake to resolution. Read John’s full bio →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California require a prior bite history before an owner is liable?
No. California’s strict liability rule means the dog owner is responsible from the very first bite. There is no grace period and no “one bite free” defense available under California law.
The dog that bit me was off-leash on a Concord street. How does that affect my claim?
Contra Costa County Division 416-4.402 requires dogs to be under effective leash restraint whenever off their owner’s property. An off-leash dog at the time of the attack means the owner was already in violation of the ordinance before the bite occurred. California courts have held that this type of ordinance violation constitutes negligence per se — meaning the violation itself establishes negligence without requiring additional proof of careless conduct.
I was bitten at someone’s home in Concord. Can I still recover?
Yes. California’s strict liability statute covers bites on private property as long as the victim was lawfully present. Invited guests, social visitors, and anyone with permission to be on the property at the time — including delivery workers and contractors — are fully protected under § 3342.
What if the owner says their insurance won’t cover the bite?
Do not take that at face value. Insurance carriers and dog owners frequently misstate or understate coverage. Our firm independently verifies all available policies — including umbrella and excess coverage — and pursues every source of recovery. The $1.3 million result above involved an insurer who initially denied the claim.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Contra Costa County?
California’s personal injury statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the bite. For minor victims, that period generally does not begin until the child turns 18. Acting early preserves evidence, witness accounts, and animal control records that become harder to obtain over time.
What if I don’t know who owns the dog?
Report the attack to Contra Costa County Animal Services immediately at (925) 608-8400. They can investigate, attempt to identify the dog and its owner, and initiate a rabies evaluation. An experienced attorney can also pursue identification through property records and witness canvassing. Contact our office and we will assess your options.
There Are No Fees Unless We Win
Dog Bite Law Group takes cases on a contingency basis — no retainer, no hourly billing, no upfront cost of any kind. You owe nothing if we do not win your case — no exceptions.
To speak directly with attorney John Montevideo about your Concord dog bite case, contact us today for a free consultation. Call (951) 888-3401. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
