Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog bite can be a traumatic event that can leave physical and emotional scars, especially to children. A Los Angeles dog bite lawyer from the Offices of Larry H. Parker understands the pain and confusion you are facing. We are here to fight for you.
- Over 50 years of trusted advocacy for Los Angeles injury victims.
- Here for you 24/7, whenever you need us.
- You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call us today for your free consultation and get the answers you need now.
A Legal Powerhouse You Can Trust
For decades, our law firm has stood as a pillar of strength for the injured in Los Angeles. Trusted by thousands of clients since 1972, our dog bite attorneys have built a legacy of fighting harder than anyone for what is right. We are the powerhouse you need on your side.
With a dedicated bilingual support team available 24/7, we’re always here to provide the guidance and support you need, whenever you need it.
A dog attack can turn an ordinary moment into a terrifying ordeal in seconds. You might be taking a walk, visiting a neighbor, or spending time outdoors when a dog suddenly lunges, leaving you injured, shaken, and unsure of why it happened. The shock quickly turns into fear and confusion as you rush to get medical care, deal with painful wounds, and face the reality of unexpected medical bills, missed work, and emotional trauma that lingers long after the attack.
You don’t have to face this alone. Our Los Angeles dog bite attorney is here to support you when you need it most. While you focus on healing, we handle the legal burdens: protecting your rights, investigating what went wrong, and fighting for the full compensation you deserve. You deserve clarity, support, and a strong team standing firmly by your side every step of the way.
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 immediately so a professional can clean and assess the wound. Even a bite that looks minor can lead to serious infections like rabies, tetanus, or deep-tissue damage.
- Report the Bite: Notify the proper authorities, such as Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control. Filing an official report documents the attack and helps establish the facts surrounding the incident.
- Document Everything: If you’re able, take photos of your injuries, the dog, and the scene of the attack. Get the dog owner’s name and contact information, and collect contact details from any witnesses.
- Avoid Speaking to Insurers: If the dog owner’s insurance company contacts you, do not provide a recorded statement or accept a quick settlement. Their priority is minimizing the payout, not protecting your well-being.
- Contact a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer: The best dog bite lawyer Los Angeles offers can begin protecting your rights immediately. We investigate the attack, gather evidence, and build a strong case so no important detail is overlooked.
Common Causes of Dog Attacks in Los Angeles
Any dog can bite, but most attacks are preventable and often result from owner negligence. In a densely populated city like Los Angeles, where parks, trails, and neighborhoods are shared spaces, dog bites often happen. In fact, according to the Public Health of Los Angeles, they receive over 9,000 animal bite reports each year.
Common causes include:
- Irresponsible Animal Care: Owners who fail to properly train, socialize, or restrain their dogs put everyone at risk. This includes leaving a dog unattended in a yard with a broken gate or letting it 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 dangerous tendencies and fails to take proper precautions is acting negligently.
- Inadequate Medical Treatment: A dog suffering from an untreated illness or injury may be more prone to aggression due to pain or discomfort.
- Mistreatment or Abuse: Dogs that have been abused or neglected are often fearful and may react aggressively as a defense mechanism.
Dog Parks and Public Spaces in LA
Los Angeles has many popular dog parks, like Runyon Canyon and the Silver Lake Dog Park. While great for well-behaved pets, these spaces can become dangerous when owners are inattentive. A moment of distraction can lead to a serious attack, making owner supervision critical.
Common Injuries from Dog Bites
The physical and psychological impact of a dog attack can be severe and long-lasting. Our dog bite lawyers have represented clients who have suffered a wide range of injuries, and we approach every case with compassion and a commitment to securing the resources needed for a full recovery.
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
- Severe infections like 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 strict liability, 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 can be held legally and financially accountable for your injuries.
Understanding Liability in Dog Bite Cases
Because of strict liability, you typically don’t need to prove negligence. You only need to show that the dog bit you and that you were lawfully on the property. However, negligence can still matter in cases involving off-leash dogs, unsafe property, or owners who ignored signs that their dog was dangerous.
What You Must Prove
To recover 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 like medical bills, lost income, scarring, or emotional trauma
Dog bite injuries can be traumatic and costly. While you focus on recovering, a skilled dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles can handle the investigation, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Who May Be Liable for a Dog Bite?
The dog owner is legally responsible for the injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the dog had ever been aggressive before. There is no “one free bite” rule in California.
However, in some cases, other parties can also be liable.
- 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 did nothing to protect others, they may be held liable.
- Animal Keepers or Handlers: A person who was caring for the dog at the time of the attack, such as a dog walker or pet sitter, could also be held responsible.
- Employers: If the dog bite occurred while the dog’s owner was working, their employer could potentially be liable.
Damages You Can Recover in a Dog Bite Claim
A successful dog bite claim can provide compensation for all the ways the attack has impacted your life. We fight to secure a settlement or verdict that compensates you for both your financial losses and your personal suffering.
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 compensate you for the intangible, personal losses you have suffered.
- 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. Compensation can’t undo the trauma, but it can give you the resources you need to heal. A dedicated Los Angeles dog bite attorney will make sure your recovery reflects the full extent of what you’ve been through.
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 only have six months to file a formal claim.
Moving fast can truly shape the outcome of your case. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to build a clear and compelling claim. Speaking with a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer early gives you the best chance to protect your future.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Dog Bite Case
Insurance companies are not looking out for you. They may minimize your injuries, question the details of the attack, or push you toward a quick settlement that falls far short of what you truly need.
Trying to handle a dog bite claim alone can leave you overwhelmed and vulnerable. Many victims unknowingly hurt their own cases by giving recorded statements, missing important deadlines, or accepting offers that don’t come close to covering their long-term medical and emotional needs.
A skilled dog bite attorney steps in to protect you and strengthen your case from day one.
Here’s how we help you:
- Handle all communication with insurance companies so you don’t feel pressured or taken advantage of
- Gather and preserve critical evidence, including medical records, photos, witness statements, and official reports
- Investigate the attack to uncover the truth and identify all responsible parties
- Build a strong, well-documented case that reflects the full extent of your injuries and suffering
- Fight for maximum compensation while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery
With an experienced dog bite lawyer on your side, you can heal with confidence knowing your case is in expert hands.
How Our Law Firm Builds Your Case
We approach every case with a meticulous, strategic process designed to build the strongest claim possible and secure maximum compensation.
- Free Case Evaluation: It starts with a conversation. You tell us what happened, and we explain your legal options. There is no cost or obligation.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: We immediately begin a thorough investigation, collecting police reports, animal control records, witness statements, and medical documentation.
- Working with Experts: We collaborate with medical professionals to fully understand the extent of your injuries and your future needs. In complex cases, we may consult animal behavior experts.
- Calculating Full Damages: We meticulously calculate all of your economic and non-economic damages to determine the true value of your claim. We never settle for less than what is right.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Our attorneys are master negotiators. We present a powerful demand to the insurance company and fight relentlessly for a fair settlement.
- Preparing for Trial: While most cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are ready to fight for you in court.
Why Choose Us for Your Los Angeles Dog Bite Case
When you have been injured, you need a dog bite law firm with a proven track record of fighting and winning for clients in Los Angeles.
- Over 50 Years Serving LA: We have been a trusted part of the Los Angeles community since 1972.
- Multilingual Team: Our dedicated team speaks multiple languages to ensure clear communication with all our clients.
- Deep Local Knowledge: We know the local courts, judges, and legal landscape, giving our clients a distinct advantage.
- Proven Results: We have recovered over $2 billion for our clients. Our results speak for themselves.
- Full-Service Support: We help you navigate every aspect of your recovery, from connecting you with medical providers to handling all the paperwork.
- Personalized Attention: You are not just a case number to us. We provide the compassionate, personal attention you deserve.
Don’t settle for less. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. Let us fight for you.
What Our Clients Say
Countless attorneys offer representation, but only a handful bring the purpose, passion, and determination our team brings to every case. We stand by our clients completely, and the trust they place in us reflects our commitment to helping them rebuild their lives.
“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.
Dog Bite Attorney Near Me
We proudly represent clients throughout Los Angeles County, including Downtown LA, the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, East Los Angeles, South LA, and other neighboring counties. No matter where you are in LA, we will be your support.
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. It’s best to discuss the specific details with an attorney.
Can I still file a claim if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
Yes. In California, dog owners are liable for bites even if it’s the first time the dog has ever shown aggression. Prior history is not required to pursue compensation.
What if the dog owner is a friend or family member?
This is a common concern. In most cases, the claim is filed against the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, not against the person directly. This allows you to receive compensation for your injuries without causing personal financial hardship for your loved one.
What if the dog owner refuses to provide insurance information?
This is common. We can step in to track down the owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance and pursue the claim on your behalf. You don’t have to confront the owner yourself.
How much does it cost to hire you?
We handle your case on a contingency fee basis. You owe no fees unless we win, and our fee is simply a percentage of your recovery, ensuring you take on no financial risk.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
You don’t have to face the aftermath of a dog bite alone. Let our team of experienced Los Angeles dog bite lawyers take on the fight for you. We are ready to stand up to the insurance companies and demand the justice and compensation you deserve.
- Free Case Evaluation
- No Fee Unless We Win
- Available 24/7
Reach out at 562-620-5912 or use our online form, and let us help you take the next step.
