Yes, you can recover damages for your injury and trauma.

In California, owners of dogs and animals that attack people are considered responsible for the incident. That’s applicable to incidents in both public and private places, as long as the person bitten or attacked was in the area lawfully. If you were not trespassing into your neighbor’s house at the time of the attack, you are entitled to recover damages for your treatment, shock and trauma, and cosmetic enhancement if you desire to erase the bite mark.

The first thing to do, after getting your injuries treated, of course, is to talk to an experienced animal bite attorney. The lawyer can properly advise you on the appropriate course of action and ensure that you get adequate financial compensation for your suffering as recovery after a dog bite can be costly. You wouldn’t want to be saddled with the burden of paying thousands of dollars for an incident that wasn’t your fault.

Cases like yours are common, and if you have a healthy relationship with your neighbor, you can negotiate with him/her and avoid litigation. Homeowners insurance usually covers animal attacks, at least for the first incident, and you can look at getting your neighbor’s insurance to settle your expenses.