Local office in San Bernardino, CA202 E Airport Dr, Suite 145Directions

Bitten by a dog in San Bernardino?Talk to a lawyer for free.

San Bernardino's code says anyone who knows of a dog bite must report it right away, and California holds the owner responsible from the first bite.

  • No fee unless we winWe only get paid when you get paid.
  • Zero upfront costYour consultation is free, with no obligation.
  • Hablamos españolNative Spanish speakers. No confusion. No delays.
  • Available 24/7We'll meet you at your home or hospital.
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Call our San Bernardino office(909) 406-701724/7 line: (800) 985-9565

No attorney's fees unless we recover compensation. Clients may be responsible for case costs. Read the disclaimer

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What stood out most was how well they kept me informed: I received regular updates and never felt left in the dark.
Osvaldo M.Valero Law Group clientGoogle review

Results that speak.Millions won for injured clients.

We've won over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Recognized for excellence

Avvo Rating: Excellent, Top Rated Personal InjuryTop Rated by Super Lawyers
  • $6.25MPersonal injuryA confidential personal injury settlement.
  • $5MAuto accidentFor a husband and wife after the husband suffered a brachial plexus injury.
  • $2.34MAccident claimA win for a client injured in an accident.
  • $1.5MAuto accidentA win for a client injured in an auto accident.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

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Here to protect your interests, not the insurance company's

Insurance companies have a team.You should have one too.

Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, and insurers bring adjusters and lawyers to every serious claim. An adjuster may call within days, and what you say can shape the rest of your claim.

Before you sign anything, ask yourself:

  1. Were you in a public place, or lawfully on the property, when the dog bit you?
  2. Did the dog bite you, or knock you down or chase you?
  3. Will the settlement cover treatment, scarring and lost income months from now, not just today?

From one of our car accident cases

The insurer's best offer$410,000

What we won for our client$4.4M

A car accident that left our client with a neck injury. Most people would have taken the offer. We won more than ten times as much.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and each case is different.

Get my free case review
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Our office in San Bernardino

Local dog bite lawyers,right here in San Bernardino.

Not every firm that advertises in San Bernardino has an office here. We do.

Our San Bernardino office is on East Airport Drive, off Hospitality Lane. Call first if you'd like to come in, or we'll come to you anywhere in the valley or the mountains.

Nearby officesRiversidePalm DesertPalmdale

Why choose Valero Law Group?

We champion every case,big and small.

Whether your case is worth $5,000 or $5 million, we bring the same skill, attention and determination to every client we represent.

So don't let the size of your case keep you from seeking justice: every injury deserves serious representation. Let us fight for the compensation you're owed while you focus on what matters most, your recovery.

They made me feel like a priority, and they put my needs first as a client.

IsabelValero Law Group client

400+five-star Google reviews

Real reviews fromour clients.

  • Samuel M. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $881,000 settlement check
    Samuel M.$881,000
  • Victoria M. smiling in front of the Valero Law Group logo wall with her $625,000 settlement check
    Victoria M.$625,000
  • Karina C. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with her $625,000 settlement check
    Karina C.$625,000
  • Angela M. smiling and pointing to her $625,000 settlement check
    Angela M.$625,000
  • Destiny H. smiling with her $500,000 settlement check
    Destiny H.$500,000
  • Javier P. smiling in the Valero Law Group office with his $375,000 settlement check
    Javier P.$375,000
Thank you, Valero Law Group, for getting me paid after I got bit by my neighbor's dog!
William D.Google review
Read all 400+ of our reviews
Awesome experience with Valero Law. My case person, Leticia, was always available to discuss my case and get me to all my doctor appointments.
Michael K.Google review
I'm thankful I decided to give Valero Law a call. I wasn't sure what to do; they made everything simple…
Connie P.Google review

What you can recover aftera dog bite in California.

The dog's owner can be held responsible for what it cost you, and their homeowner's or renter's insurance may cover the claim.

Economic damages

The costs you can add up

  • Emergency care and surgery
  • Plastic or reconstructive surgery and scar treatment
  • Lost wages and lost earning capacity
  • Counseling after the attack

Non-economic damages

The harm that has no receipt

  • Pain and physical suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • 523,689ER visits for dog bites in California, 2005–2019A California Department of Public Health study found the rate rose by more than half over those 15 years, and was highest for children 5 to 9.
  • 2,830dog-related injury claims in California in 2025More than any other state, according to the Insurance Information Institute. They're typically paid by homeowner's or renter's insurance, up to the policy limit.
  • 80%What you keep if you were 20% at faultCalifornia's pure comparative fault rule reduces your award by your share of the blame instead of erasing it.

After a dog bite in San Bernardino,what comes next.

Care for the bite, the report, the quarantine, who pays and the deadlines, explained.

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  • Clean the bite and get it checked
    Wash the bite with soap under running water for five minutes. See a doctor if it's serious, or shows pain, redness, swelling or discharge. The risk of rabies from dogs in California is low, and your doctor decides whether you need rabies shots (CDPH).
  • Report the bite
    City code says a bite must be reported immediately. Inside city limits, call San Bernardino Animal Services at (909) 998-4000. In Highland, Yucaipa and unincorporated areas, call County Animal Care at (800) 472-5609, option 1; elsewhere, your own city's animal control. If the dog is loose and dangerous, call 911.
  • The dog is quarantined
    The dog is quarantined for 10 days from the bite, at the shelter, a vet or the owner's home, as the animal control officer decides. Ask the owner for proof of the dog's rabies vaccination.
  • Write it down while it's fresh
    The owner's name and address, the dog, where it happened and who saw it. Take photos of your injuries as they heal, and keep the report number and every medical bill.
  • Who usually pays
    Dog bite claims are usually paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, up to the policy's limit, not out of the owner's pocket. That matters when the dog belongs to a friend or a neighbor.
  • The deadlines
    Most dog bite lawsuits must be filed within two years. A claim over a San Bernardino police dog goes to the City, or over a Sheriff's dog to the County, usually within six months.
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Al Barro Foundation: supporting over 400 orphans in Mexico

From the community, for the community.

Hablamos español.

We're a Hispanic-focused firm with native Spanish-speaking attorneys. We understand your family's needs, walk you through every step in your language, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.

Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.
…they speak excellent Spanish, know how to help, and look out for their clients' best interests.
Yesica H.Google review
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Organizations we support

Sponsor of the 2024 Share the Road Scholarship

Our community outreach
  • Al Barro Foundation
  • EUNIME por Tijuana, A.C.

Common questionsafter a dog bite in San Bernardino.

The dog never bit anyone before. Is the owner still responsible?
Yes. There's no "one free bite" in California. The owner is responsible when the dog bites someone in a public place, or someone lawfully on private property, including the owner's own home or yard, even if the dog never bit anyone before (Civil Code §3342). A bite counts even if it didn't break the skin.
The dog knocked me down but didn't bite me. Do I have a claim?
Possibly. The dog bite law covers bites only, but if a dog knocked you down, jumped on you or chased you into the street, the owner can still be responsible if they were careless (Civil Code §1714), for example by letting it run loose against the leash law, or if they knew it was dangerous (CACI 462).
The dog belongs to a friend or neighbor. Who pays?
Usually the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, up to the policy's limit. Most claims are made against that insurance, which exists for exactly this, rather than against the owner personally.
I was bitten by a tenant's dog. Is the landlord responsible?
Usually not, but it can be. California courts have held that a landlord can be responsible when the landlord actually knew the dog was dangerous and could have had it removed, for example by ending the lease. Talk to us about who may be responsible.
I was bitten by a police dog. Do I have a claim?
It depends. The dog bite law doesn't apply when a police dog bites a suspect during an arrest or investigation under the agency's written policy, but it can apply to a bystander who had nothing to do with it. In San Bernardino, a claim over a police dog goes to the City, and over a Sheriff's dog to the County, in writing, usually within six months.
My child was bitten. How long do we have?
For a child bitten by a privately owned dog, the two years to sue usually don't start until the child turns 18 (Code of Civil Procedure §352). A claim against a public agency still has the six-month deadline, and any settlement for a child has to be approved by a judge.
How much is my San Bernardino dog bite case worth?
It depends on your injuries, scarring, medical bills, lost income and the long-term effect on your life, and on the owner's insurance. The first offer is often low, so a free case review is the best way to know before you accept anything.
Do you have an office in San Bernardino?
Yes. Our office is at 202 E Airport Dr, Suite 145, San Bernardino, CA 92408, off Hospitality Lane. Call first if you'd like to come in, or we'll come to you, at home or in the hospital. Call (800) 985-9565 any time, 24/7.
What does a dog bite lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Your consultation is free, and no attorney's fees are owed unless we recover compensation for you. You may be responsible for case-related costs and expenses; we'll explain them before you sign.
Attorney Kyle Valero
Kyle ValeroAttorney, Valero Law Group

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Have a question about a potential case?Talk to a dog bite lawyer about your San Bernardino case today.

Your consultation is always free, with no obligation. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through your options. No pressure, just honest answers.

(909) 406-7017

24/7 line: (800) 985-9565

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