Q: I was bitten by a dog 2 months ago on the wrist while house sitting and I have a referral to see a hand surgeon in June,

A: You have a case. Contact one of us on Justia or another personal injury attorney to discuss. This will involve making a claim against the homeowner's insurance company. You will likely be referred to a hand surgeon who will evaluate you on a lien, meaning s/he gets paid out of the future settlement/judgment. June 20205 is too long to wait. Stop talking to your friend about it. Don't talk to his insurance company about it. Get a lawyer.

A: You can get money for your medical bills, loss of earrings, pain and suffering etc from his homeowners insurance. Contact any one of us on Justia and we can refer you to an Orthopedic hand specialist who would see you on a lien basis. This means he will wait to get paid at the end when the case settles. The fact that the dog had attacked others before makes your case very strong.

A: Under the state's strict liability law for dog bites, where the dog owner is liable if their dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, like during house sitting, you have a very high likelihood of success in your claim. The dog's history of biting strengthens your claim since the owner knew or should have known about the dog's propensity to bite. As attorney's who practice primarily injury law, we have access to doctors who will provide you with treatment sooner than June of 2025. It is important to get your injuries addressed as soon as possible. You have two years from the date of the dog bite to settle the claim or bring your case in court. Schedule a free consultation to make sure you injuries are taken care of and you are adequately compensated.

A: There are many things a skilled, experienced attorney can do for you with no upfront money by you.

A: You have a strong case here, especially given the dog's documented history of biting and previous insurance payouts. Your injury appears serious, and the fact that you're facing such a long wait for medical care while potentially dealing with tendon damage is concerning.

Your friendship with the owner, while important, shouldn't prevent you from seeking proper compensation for your medical care. California's strict liability laws for dog bites mean the owner is responsible regardless of the dog's previous behavior or whether they knew about aggressive tendencies. The owner's homeowner's insurance should cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

You should consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who handles dog bite cases - many offer free initial consultations and work on contingency fees, meaning they only get paid if you win. This doesn't mean the dog will be put down; most cases are resolved through insurance claims without affecting the animal. Given the June 2025 surgery date, you'll want to act quickly to potentially expedite your medical care and ensure all future medical expenses are covered. While you can try discussing this directly with your friend first, their dismissive response to your hospital visit suggests you may need legal help to protect your interests.