Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog attacks are never expected, but are a scary and common occurrence in Los Angeles County. These attacks are typically a result of owners poorly training or neglecting their dog. If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, you know firsthand that dog bites can result in painful injuries, permanent scarring, and even traumatization. At C&B Law Group, our compassionate Los Angeles dog bite lawyers understand the physical, mental, medical, and financial impact that a dog attack can have on a victim’s life. We’re here to pursue justice for you, and get the financial compensation you deserve.

More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, and 800,000 receive medical attention for dog bites according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Understanding California’s “Strict Liability” Dog Bite Law

California Civil Code 3342 outlines the liability involved in the incident of a dog bite. California is a strict liability state in regards to dog bite injury claims, meaning that the owner is liable for physical injuries caused to others whether they knew their dogs could be aggressive or not. This liability statute holds true as long as the victim is:

• In a public place
• Lawfully on private property, including the dog owner’s property

Steps to take after a dog bite in Los Angeles

If you’re involved in a dog attack, it’s important to stay calm and take the following steps to protect yourself:

1. Get to a safe place and seek medical attention right away.
2. Take photographs of the injuries and document your account of the incident.
3. Obtain contact information from any witnesses.
4. Identify the dog’s owner and obtain their name, contact information, and address
5. Contact the Police/Animal Services
6. Call a Los Angeles dog bite attorney

Causes

Dog attacks can be unpredictable, which also means that the cause may not always be known. Some common reasons that a dog may bite are listed below:

• Reaction to a noise or visual stimulus
• Scared, startled, or frustrated
• Defending itself, a human, food, objects, or territory
• Being in pain from an injury or illness

Preventing Dog Bites

Although there’s no way to fully protect yourself against dog attacks, there are certainly measures that can be taken to help prevent the chance of it happening. It’s important to be able to recognize and avoid dogs with potentially aggressive body language including those with stiff body posture, ears pulled back, displaying teeth, growling, or barking. Some other times to avoid petting a dog are if it’s without its owner, sleeping, eating, sick, injured, or playing with a toy.

Statute of Limitations

A dog bite injury claim is considered a personal injury lawsuit, meaning that victims must file their lawsuit within two years of the date of injury. Otherwise, you forfeit the right to file a claim. There are some exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations, so it’s best to consult with an attorney to find out the options for your specific circumstances.

Potential Injuries

Dog bites can cause lasting physical damage to victims. Some common injuries from these kinds of attacks include:

• Puncture wounds
• Lacerations
• Eye injuries
• Scarring
• Fractured bones
• PTSD
• Death

Compensation

Our experienced Los Angeles dog bite lawyers aim to ease victims’ recovery, and help seek various kinds of compensation depending on the case including but not limited to:

• Past and Future Medical Bills
• Pain and Suffering
• Lost Income or Earning Capacity
• Mental Trauma
• Punitive Damages