Practice area

San Diego Dog Bite Attorney

At Hulburt Law Firm, our San Diego dog bite lawyers represent people who have suffered serious injuries in homes, apartment buildings, parks, businesses, and other public places. We identify the responsible parties, investigate available insurance coverage, and pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, scarring, emotional harm, and future treatment. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

Injured by a dog bite? Get help today.

Black and white dog snarling with teeth bared, looking directly at the camera.

Dog Bite Cases We Handle

We focus on dog bite and animal attack cases involving significant or lasting harm, including deep puncture wounds, facial scarring, surgical injuries, infections, nerve damage, and attacks on children.

Our attorneys investigate what happened, identify available insurance coverage, and pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, emotional harm, future treatment, and other losses. We handle the insurance company and legal process so you can focus on healing.

Meet Your Dog Bite Attorneys

Conor Hulburt and Leslie Hulburt founded Hulburt Law Firm to provide people with serious injuries experienced legal representation and personal attention. Both attorneys remain directly involved in the firm’s cases, helping clients navigate the investigation, insurance issues, medical evidence, negotiations, and litigation that may follow a serious dog attack.

Conor has recovered more than $150 million for clients in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including a $28,163,528 jury verdict for a child seriously injured in a dangerous crosswalk. His advocacy has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Best of the Bar, and Martindale-Hubbell.

Conor and Leslie bring a careful, hands-on approach to dog bite cases involving surgery, permanent scarring, nerve damage, infection, emotional trauma, and injuries to children. By handling fewer cases, they are able to give clients direct access to their attorneys and devote the time and resources necessary to document the full impact of the injury and pursue a strong result.

Attorneys Conor Hulburt and Leslie Hulburt in business suits standing indoors.

Serious Injury Case Results

The following results reflect serious injury cases handled by our attorneys, including a dog-related injury claim. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

$28,163,528

Dangerous Road

Jury verdict against Caltrans for a 13-year-old boy who suffered a catastrophic brain injury after he was struck by a vehicle while using a dangerous crosswalk.

$5,250,000

Car Accident

Settlement for a client who suffered brain and spinal injuries in a collision on Interstate 5 in San Diego.

$100,000

Dog Attack

Settlement under a homeowner’s policy after a large dog knocked a woman to the ground, causing a shoulder injury that required surgery.

If I ever had a family member injured and needed legal assistance, I would call Conor.
Past Client
Conor is definitely the kind of attorney you want on your side: smart, focused, and relentless.
Patrick C.
I would highly recommend Conor for his outstanding service and attention to detail.
Trevor J.
Needing an attorney is daunting and stressful. Make it easier on yourself. Give Conor a call.
John D.
Conor is a thorough, thoughtful, and tenacious litigator who does everything he can to help his clients.
Opposing Counsel
His skill and talent in presenting cases at mediation and working them up has resulted in some of the largest settlement results this year. I can’t think of a better young attorney in San Diego right now than Conor Hulburt.
Local Mediator
Absolutely wonderful, patient and really puts effort into your case. Conor went out of his way to make sure we were taken care of.
Jasmine C.
I was very happy working with Conor and would recommend him to anyone. With him, you're in good hands.
Liz F.
Compassionate, trustworthy, and fights for justice — Conor is the real deal.
J. Quiroz
The Hulburt Law Firm represented my family after a tragic fatal roadway incident. Their firm was compassionate and sensitive. We would highly recommend them.
Dianne T.
Finding Conor was truly a blessing. We are so grateful for his compassion, dedication, and support throughout the entire process.
Deisy Q.
I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the Hulburt law firm for everything you have done for our family throughout the wrongful death lawsuit. This has been an incredibly difficult time for us, and your professionalism, compassion, and dedication made a meaningful difference every step of the way.
Linda S.

How a San Diego Dog Bite Case Works

01

Dog Bite Case Review

During your free, confidential case review, we listen to what happened, where the attack occurred, and what treatment you have received. We review available photos, medical records, witness information, Animal Services reports, and insurance correspondence, then give you an honest assessment of your potential claim under California law. There is no obligation to proceed.

02

Early Investigation

Once you hire us, we move quickly to document the incident and preserve evidence. This may include photographing the injuries and location, interviewing witnesses, obtaining Animal Services records, and securing video from nearby homes, businesses, or common areas before it is erased. We also document the wounds and scarring as they change over time.

03

Medical Evaluation

We gather the medical evidence needed to show the full impact of the attack, including emergency treatment, infection care, surgery, scar management, and counseling for emotional trauma. When appropriate, we consult medical experts to evaluate permanent injuries, future procedures, and long-term treatment needs.

04

Legal Strategy

We identify every potentially responsible party and available source of insurance. This often includes the dog owner and their homeowners or renters coverage. In apartment complexes, HOA communities, or shared areas, we also investigate whether a landlord, property manager, or another party may be responsible. Our goal is to ensure no viable claim or source of coverage is overlooked.

05

Demand and Negotiation

We prepare a detailed demand explaining why the responsible party is liable and documenting your medical expenses, lost income, scarring, emotional trauma, and future needs. We handle all insurer communications and challenge defenses involving provocation, assumption of risk, or the severity of the injuries. We explain each offer clearly and help you decide whether it fairly reflects the harm you suffered.

06

Litigation and Trial

If the insurance company will not resolve the case fairly, we are prepared to file a lawsuit. We handle discovery, depositions, expert testimony, and every stage of litigation. At trial, we present a clear account of how the attack occurred, why the defendant is responsible, and how the injuries have affected you or your child now and into the future.

Real client stories

Child Dog Bite to the Face: Proving Lasting Harm

The Harm

A young girl suffered a dog bite to her face, leaving a visible scar and significant emotional distress. The insurance company minimized the injury and argued that the scar would fade.

The Truth

The injury could not be measured by the initial medical bills alone. The scar might remain visible as the child grew, and the attack left fear and anxiety that could affect her confidence and comfort around dogs for years.

Justice

Conor Hulburt documented the scar over time, developed the medical and emotional evidence, and challenged the insurer’s effort to treat the injury as temporary. The case resolved for significantly more than the insurer’s initial offers.

California Dog Bite Law: Liability, Compensation & Deadlines

California generally holds a dog owner strictly liable when their dog bites someone who is lawfully in a public place or on private property. In most cases, the injured person does not have to prove the dog had bitten before or that the owner knew it was dangerous.

The Hulburt Law Difference

In-Depth Investigations

We move quickly to preserve video, obtain Animal Services records, identify witnesses, investigate prior incidents, and document wounds and scarring as they change over time.

Tech-Forward Approach

We use photographs, video, timelines, medical illustrations, and other visual evidence to show how the attack occurred and what the injuries have meant for our client.

Maximum Compensation

We evaluate the full impact of the injury, including future medical care, permanent scarring, lost income, and emotional trauma, and pursue every responsible party and available source of insurance.

The Right Experience

Conor Hulburt has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Best of the Bar, and Martindale-Hubbell.

Genuine Care

We handle fewer cases so we can give each client personal attention, regular updates, and direct access to the attorneys responsible for the case.

Dog Bite FAQs

Serving Clients Across San Diego County

Hulburt Law Firm represents people seriously injured by dogs throughout San Diego County. Whether the attack occurred in a home, apartment community, park, sidewalk, business, or other public place, we investigate what happened, identify the responsible parties and available insurance, and help clients pursue compensation for the full impact of their injuries.

Map outline of San Diego County with internal subdivision boundaries.

Request a Free Case Review

Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.

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