Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog bite can be a traumatic event that can leave physical and emotional scars, especially for children. A Los Angeles dog bite lawyer from the Offices of Larry H. Parker understands that victims often face pain, confusion, and unexpected challenges after an attack.
- Over 50 years of trusted advocacy for Los Angeles injury victims.
- Available to answer questions about dog bite claims.
- Many personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees may depend on the outcome of the case.
Call us to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options.
A Legal Team You Can Trust
For decades, our law firm has represented injured individuals in Los Angeles. Since 1972, our attorneys have handled many personal injury cases involving dog attacks and other incidents.
With a bilingual support team available to assist clients, we aim to provide guidance and support throughout the legal process.
A dog attack can turn an ordinary moment into a frightening experience. You might be taking a walk, visiting a neighbor, or spending time outdoors when a dog suddenly lunges, leaving you injured and unsure of why it happened. Many victims must deal with medical care, painful wounds, missed work, and emotional stress following the attack.
You do not have to handle the legal process alone. A Los Angeles dog bite attorney can help review what happened, explain your legal rights, and assist with investigating the incident. While you focus on healing, your legal team can gather evidence, communicate with insurers, and help you pursue compensation that may be available under the law.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Los Angeles
In a moment of fear and shock, try to stay as calm as possible and focus on the following actions to protect yourself:
- Seek Medical Attention: Get medical care promptly so a professional can clean and assess the wound. Even bites that appear minor can sometimes lead to infections such as rabies, tetanus, or deeper tissue damage.
- Report the Bite: Notify the appropriate authorities, such as Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control. Filing a report documents the incident and helps establish the facts surrounding the attack.
- Document Everything: If possible, take photos of your injuries, the dog, and the location of the attack. Obtain the dog owner’s name and contact information and collect contact details from any witnesses.
- Be Careful When Speaking to Insurers: If the dog owner’s insurance company contacts you, consider speaking with an attorney before giving recorded statements or accepting settlement offers.
- Speak With a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer: An attorney can review the circumstances of the attack, gather relevant evidence, and explain the legal options that may be available to you.
Common Causes of Dog Attacks in Los Angeles
Any dog can bite, but many attacks are preventable and may result from owner negligence. In a densely populated city like Los Angeles, where parks, trails, and neighborhoods are shared spaces, dog bites occur regularly. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health of Los Angeles, more than 9,000 animal bite reports are received each year.
Common causes include:
- Irresponsible Animal Care: Owners who fail to properly train, socialize, or restrain their dogs can put others at risk. This includes leaving a dog unattended in a yard with a broken gate or allowing it to roam off-leash in public areas.
- History of Aggression: Some dogs have a known history of aggressive behavior. An owner who is aware of their dog’s tendencies and fails to take appropriate precautions may be acting negligently.
- Inadequate Medical Treatment: A dog suffering from an untreated illness or injury may be more prone to aggression because of pain or discomfort.
- Mistreatment or Abuse: Dogs that have been abused or neglected may react aggressively as a defense mechanism.
Dog Parks and Public Spaces in LA
Los Angeles has many popular dog parks, including Runyon Canyon and the Silver Lake Dog Park. While these spaces can be enjoyable for well-behaved pets and their owners, incidents can occur if owners are inattentive or fail to supervise their dogs.
Proper supervision and responsible ownership are important in shared public spaces.
Common Injuries from Dog Bites
The physical and psychological effects of a dog attack can vary depending on the severity of the incident. Our dog bite lawyers have represented clients who experienced a range of injuries following an attack.
Common injuries include:
- Puncture wounds and deep lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement, particularly on the face
- Broken bones from the force of the attack or from falling
- Nerve damage leading to loss of sensation or function
- Infections such as rabies, tetanus, or sepsis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), if the victim is knocked to the ground
- Amputation of fingers or other extremities
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and a lifelong fear of dogs
When Can Dog Bite Victims File a Claim in California?
If you were bitten by a dog in California, you may have the right to file a claim. California follows a strict liability rule, meaning dog owners are responsible for bites regardless of whether the dog has bitten before or shown aggressive behavior. Whether the attack happened at a home, in a park, or on a public street, the owner may be held legally responsible for injuries caused by the dog.
Understanding Liability in Dog Bite Cases
Because of strict liability, you typically do not need to prove negligence. You generally only need to show that the dog bit you and that you were lawfully on the property. However, negligence may still be relevant in cases involving off-leash dogs, unsafe property conditions, or owners who ignored signs that their dog posed a risk.
What You Must Prove
To pursue compensation, your legal team must show:
- The defendant owned or controlled the dog
- You were lawfully present
- The dog bit you and caused injury
- You suffered damages such as medical bills, lost income, scarring, or emotional trauma
Dog bite injuries can involve significant medical and personal challenges. While you focus on recovery, a dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles can assist with investigating the incident, gathering evidence, and explaining the legal options available.
Who May Be Liable for a Dog Bite?
The dog owner is generally responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the dog had previously shown aggressive behavior. California does not follow a “one free bite” rule.
However, in some cases, other parties may also share liability.
- The Dog Owner: The primary individual responsible for the dog’s actions.
- Property Owners or Landlords: If they knew a dangerous dog was on their property and failed to take reasonable steps to address the risk, they may share responsibility.
- Animal Keepers or Handlers: A person caring for the dog at the time of the attack, such as a dog walker or pet sitter, may also bear responsibility depending on the circumstances.
- Employers: If the dog bite occurred while the dog’s owner was performing work duties, the employer may potentially share liability.
Damages You Can Recover in a Dog Bite Claim
A dog bite claim may allow you to pursue compensation for the ways the attack has impacted your life. California law allows injured individuals to seek both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These are the tangible financial costs associated with your injury.
- Medical Expenses: All costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, and physical therapy.
- Future Medical Care: Compensation for anticipated future treatments, including scar revision surgery or ongoing therapy.
- Lost Earnings: Wages you have lost while unable to work.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same income.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: Other expenses related to your injury, such as transportation to medical appointments.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages address personal losses that do not have a precise financial value.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by the injury.
- Emotional Distress: Damages for the fear, anxiety, and psychological trauma resulting from the attack.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Damages for permanent physical changes that affect your appearance and self-esteem.
A serious dog bite can affect your health, peace of mind, and daily life. While compensation cannot undo the trauma, it may help provide financial support for medical care and recovery needs. A Los Angeles dog bite attorney can assist with evaluating and pursuing the damages that may apply to your situation.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if your claim is against a government entity (for example, if you were bitten by a police dog or a dog owned by a public agency), you may have six months to file a formal claim.
Because these deadlines are strict, speaking with a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer early may help ensure important filing requirements are met and evidence is preserved.
Why You May Consider Speaking With a Lawyer for a Dog Bite Case
Insurance companies evaluate claims based on available evidence, policy terms, and liability. In some situations, they may question the details of an incident, dispute the extent of injuries, or present early settlement offers.
Handling a dog bite claim alone can be challenging, especially while dealing with medical treatment and recovery. Some individuals may unintentionally affect their claims by providing recorded statements, missing deadlines, or accepting settlement offers without understanding the long-term impact of their injuries.
A dog bite attorney can assist by reviewing the circumstances of the attack, explaining the claims process, and helping protect your legal interests.
How We Help You:
Here are some ways an attorney may assist with a dog bite claim:
- Handle communication with insurance companies on your behalf
- Gather and preserve critical evidence, including medical records, photos, witness statements, and official reports
- Investigate the incident to understand how the attack occurred and identify potentially responsible parties
- Prepare documentation that reflects the full extent of your injuries and losses
- Advocate for your interests during settlement discussions or court proceedings
Legal guidance can help ensure that the claims process is handled carefully while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
How Our Law Firm Builds Your Case
We approach each case with a structured process designed to thoroughly evaluate the claim.
- Case Evaluation: It starts with a conversation. You tell us what happened, and we explain your legal options during a consultation.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Our team begins gathering information such as police reports, animal control records, witness statements, and medical documentation.
- Working with Experts: We may consult with medical professionals to better understand the extent of your injuries and potential future needs. In some cases, animal behavior experts may also be consulted.
- Calculating Full Damages: We review both economic and non-economic losses to evaluate the potential value of the claim.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Our attorneys communicate with insurers and present the evidence supporting your claim.
- Preparing for Trial: While many cases resolve through settlement discussions, some cases proceed through litigation if necessary.
Why Choose Us for Your Los Angeles Dog Bite Case
When you have been injured, you may want to work with a dog bite law firm that has experience handling injury cases in Los Angeles.
- Over 50 Years Serving LA: We have been serving clients in the Los Angeles community since 1972.
- Multilingual Team: Our team speaks multiple languages to support clear communication with clients.
- Deep Local Knowledge: Our attorneys are familiar with the local courts, legal procedures, and communities across Los Angeles.
- Case Results: Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for clients in personal injury matters.*
- Full-Service Support: We assist clients throughout the legal process, including locating medical providers and managing documentation.
- Personalized Attention: We aim to provide attentive, client-focused representation.
Don’t settle for less. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. Let us fight for you.
*Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What Our Clients Say
“My husband and I are really happy with the results of our case; they solved it very, very fast! We will refer our friends to a lawyer who takes their cases seriously. And they also speak Spanish.” – Lucia R.
Client testimonials reflect individual experiences and should not be interpreted as guarantees of results. If you would like to learn more about your rights and options, you may call 800-333-0000 to schedule a consultation.
Dog Bite Attorney Near Me
We represent clients throughout Los Angeles County, including Downtown LA, the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, East Los Angeles, South LA, and surrounding areas.
Central Los Angeles & Core Business Hubs
- Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA)
- Century City
- Mid-Wilshire / Miracle Mile
- Koreatown
Westside & The “Silicon Beach” Corridor
- Beverly Hills
- Santa Monica
- Culver City
- Playa Vista
- Westwood
- Malibu
San Fernando Valley (The Valley) & North County
- Burbank
- Studio City / Sherman Oaks
- Woodland Hills / Warner Center
- Santa Clarita
South Bay & Harbor Area
- Torrance
- El Segundo / LAX Corridor
- Long Beach
- Inglewood
- San Pedro
San Gabriel Valley (SGV) & Northeast
- Pasadena
- Glendale
- Alhambra / Monterey Park
- East Los Angeles (Unincorporated Area Focus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I were partially at fault for the dog bite?
California’s strict liability law makes the owner responsible in most situations. However, if you were trespassing or intentionally provoked the dog, it could affect your claim. An attorney can review the details of your situation.
Can I still file a claim if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
Yes. In California, dog owners are responsible for bites even if it is the first time the dog has shown aggressive behavior.
What if the dog owner is a friend or family member?
In many cases, the claim is handled through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy rather than directly against the individual.
What if the dog owner refuses to provide insurance information?
An attorney may be able to help identify the applicable insurance coverage and assist with pursuing the claim.
How much does it cost to hire you?
Many personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees may depend on the outcome of the case. Fee arrangements are explained during the consultation.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
After a dog bite, speaking with a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer may help you better understand your legal rights and available options.
- Consultation available
- Fee arrangements explained during consultation
- Available to answer questions
Reach out at 562-620-5912 or use our online form to learn more about your options.
