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Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog attack happens in seconds. The injuries can take months to heal, and the trauma can last far longer. If you were bitten by a dog in Los Angeles, California, the law gives you a clear path to compensation, and you do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You just have to show the bite happened, and the owner is liable.
Dog bites are not minor incidents. Deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, scarring, and infection are common outcomes. Children bitten on the face often require multiple surgeries. Many victims develop lasting anxiety around animals. The physical and emotional toll is real, and the law is on your side.
California’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
California Civil Code Section 3342 holds dog owners strictly liable for bites that occur in public places or on private property where the victim had lawful access. There is no one-bite rule in California. The owner cannot escape liability by claiming the dog had never bitten anyone before. If their dog bit you, they are responsible.
This applies whether the bite happened at a park in Silver Lake, outside a storefront in Koreatown, or at a private residence in Westwood. Lawful presence at the location is all that is required on your end.
For a full breakdown of premises liability and property owner duties under California law, the premises liability practice page covers the legal framework that overlaps with many dog bite cases, including attacks that happen on someone else’s property.
Where Dog Bites Happen in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most dog-dense cities in the country. Attacks happen at dog parks in Griffith Park, on sidewalks in Echo Park, during deliveries in Boyle Heights, and in residential neighborhoods across the South Bay. Mail carriers, rideshare drivers, children walking to school, and joggers are among the most frequent victims. No neighborhood is exempt.
When an attack occurs on commercial property, the business owner may share liability alongside the dog owner. When it happens in a multi-unit building, the landlord may also bear responsibility if they knew a dangerous dog was on the premises. Multiple parties can be held liable at once.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Los Angeles
- Get medical attention immediately, even if the wound appears minor. Dog bites carry a serious infection risk, including Pasteurella, MRSA, and, in rare cases, rabies.
- Identify the dog owner. Get their name, address, and contact information.
- Request proof of rabies vaccination from the owner.
- Report the bite to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control or the Los Angeles Animal Services. This creates an official record.
- Photograph your injuries before any treatment if possible, and photograph the scene.
- Collect witness contact information.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
What Not to Do
Do not accept a quick settlement from the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurer. Early offers rarely account for future medical costs, scarring treatment, or emotional distress. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back for more. Insurance adjusters are not on your side. They are paid to close claims cheaply.
Do not minimize your injuries in any conversation with the owner, witnesses, or adjusters. Statements like “I’m fine” can be used against you later.
What Compensation Can You Recover
California dog bite victims can pursue compensation for:
- Emergency room costs, surgery, and follow-up medical care
- Reconstructive and cosmetic procedures for scarring
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Permanent disfigurement
Children who suffer facial bites often require staged reconstructive procedures over the years. Those costs belong in your claim. So does the psychological impact on a child who was attacked.
How Long You Have to File
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, you have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the dog owner is a government employee and the attack occurred while they were on duty, a six-month administrative claim deadline applies instead. Missing either deadline eliminates your right to recover. Do not wait.
Why Culver Legal
Culver Legal has recovered over $1 billion for injured clients across California. The firm’s results include a $4 million auto accident recovery, a $3.7 million personal injury settlement, and a $3 million truck accident verdict. Attorneys Thanos Simoudis, David Merabi, Dario C. Gomez, Victoria Manesh, Michael Domingo, and Michael B. Huynh handle cases with the same aggression they bring to every serious injury matter.
The firm is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish-speaking staff are on hand for clients who prefer to communicate in Spanish. There are no fees unless the firm wins your case.
California law prohibits using immigration status against you in a personal injury case. Regardless of your documentation status, you have the right to file a claim and recover what you are owed.
Serving Los Angeles and Surrounding Communities
Culver Legal represents dog bite victims throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding region, including Inglewood, Culver City, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Torrance. Wherever the attack occurred, the firm can help you pursue the full value of your claim.
What makes California’s dog bite law different from those in other states?
California imposes strict liability under Civil Code Section 3342. The owner is liable even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. Many states follow a one-bite rule that gives owners a free pass the first time. California does not.
Can I file a claim if the bite happened at a friend’s home?
Yes. Social guests are lawfully present on private property, and the owner’s homeowner’s insurance typically covers dog bite liability. Filing a claim does not mean suing your friend personally. It means making a claim against their insurance policy.
What if the dog that bit me was off-leash at a park in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has leash laws requiring dogs to be on a leash no longer than six feet in most public areas. A violation of that law can support a negligence claim in addition to the strict liability dog bite statute, potentially strengthening your case.
What if a child was bitten and the parents want to file a claim?
Parents or legal guardians can file on behalf of a minor. The two-year statute of limitations does not begin running until the child turns 18, meaning a child bitten at age 10 has until age 20 to file. However, acting quickly preserves evidence and witness memory.
Does the dog have to be put down if I report the bite?
Not automatically. Los Angeles Animal Services investigates reported bites and determines appropriate action based on the severity of the attack and the animal’s history. Reporting the bite is separate from any legal claim you file.
Speak With a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney Today
Culver Legal represents dog bite victims across Los Angeles with the same aggressive approach that has produced over $1 billion in recoveries. If you were attacked, the consultation is free, and you owe nothing unless the firm wins. Call (310) 600-7881 to get your free case evaluation now.
Culver Legal, LLP
5670 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1370
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(310) 600-7881
Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Culver Legal, LLP is licensed to practice law in the State of California.
Learn more about your options for compensation by calling 310-600-7881 .
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