Los Angeles Dog Bites Lawyer
Hurt by a dog bite in Los Angeles? The experienced dog bite attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can help you get the compensation you deserve.
A dog bite can leave you with more than just physical scars; the emotional trauma can be just as challenging to overcome. If you are looking for legal representation for an incident in the Los Angeles area, our team is here to help you get the justice you deserve.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience handling dog bite cases and navigating the complexities of local laws to support our clients. This guide will provide clear direction on what to do after a bite, offer an overview of the legal process, and address the common questions you might have along the way.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Los Angeles
After a dog bite in Los Angeles, it's essential to follow the steps below to protect your health and your rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your immediate priority after a dog bite in Los Angeles is to move to a secure location away from the animal. Once you are out of harm's way, carefully check yourself and anyone with you for injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your first and most critical step is to get immediate medical attention by calling 911 or visiting an emergency room. This is vital not only to treat the wound and prevent serious infections but also to officially document the extent of your injuries.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Contacting the police and local animal control is a crucial step to ensure the attack is officially documented. Responding officers can gather statements and details about the dog and its owner, so be sure to ask for a copy of the report for your records.
Collect Information and Evidence
Politely request the owner's contact and insurance information, inquire about the dog's vaccination status, and take clear photos of your injuries, the animal, and the place where the incident occurred. This documentation is key to safeguarding your well-being and preserving your legal rights.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a dog bite in Los Angeles, navigating the next steps can be overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. The dedicated team at Golden Gate Legal will take on the insurance companies and manage the legal process to ensure you receive the full compensation you're entitled to.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
With dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury proceedings for clients across Los Angeles, Golden Gate Legal is here to help. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our duty is to guide you through the recovery process and make sure you recover all damages you are legally entitled to.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests when you cannot, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees upfront, and we only receive a fee when we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide you with the legal and emotional support you need after an accident.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
Our team handles every step of the legal process for your Los Angeles dog bite case so you can focus on your recovery:
- 1. Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: It all starts with a complimentary meeting where we listen to your side of the story, assess the details of the incident, and determine the strength of your claim.
- 2. Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team meticulously gathers all necessary evidence, from medical reports to witness accounts, and manages all communications and paperwork with the insurance companies for you.
- 3. Medical Treatment Coordination: We assist in coordinating your medical care and track your recovery progress, ensuring the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case while you focus on healing.
- 4. Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've completed treatment, we compile a detailed demand letter and negotiate aggressively with the dog owner's insurance provider—or the owner directly—to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- 5. Litigation (if necessary): Should the opposing party refuse a fair offer, our skilled trial lawyers will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court to hold the dog owner responsible.
- 6. You Get Paid: Upon a successful resolution, we handle the final paperwork swiftly so you can receive your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages without delay.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
In California, if you've been injured by a dog bite, the law allows you to seek financial compensation for the various losses you've suffered. This compensation is meant to cover all the ways the incident has affected your life, both financially and personally. Compensatory damages for dog bites in California may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological counseling
To protect their bottom line, insurance companies and at-fault parties will often attempt to downplay your injuries and undervalue your claim, making it essential to have seasoned California personal injury attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal fighting for you.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not a complete list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle in personal injury cases:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog's pointed teeth can cause deep puncture wounds or create jagged lacerations that tear through the skin and damage the soft tissue beneath. These types of wounds can bleed significantly, carry a high risk of infection, often need stitches to close, and may result in permanent scarring.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
A bite that breaks the skin allows bacteria from the dog's mouth to get into the wound, which can result in serious issues ranging from skin infections and abscesses to a severe, body-wide infection known as sepsis.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
Deeper bites, especially in vulnerable places such as the hands or face, can sever or crush nerves. The consequences range from numbness and tingling to lasting pain, and without swift medical attention, could result in a permanent loss of use or movement in that part of the body.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Scars are a common consequence of dog bites, and they can be especially noticeable on exposed parts of the body like the face and hands. If the injury involves significant tissue loss, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery might be needed to restore function and appearance, minimizing the long-term disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
A bite from a larger dog can exert enough force to crush soft tissue or even break bones, resulting in serious fractures or trauma to the joints. Such injuries typically involve major swelling and bruising and could necessitate surgery, a cast, or a lengthy period of physical therapy for complete healing.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional scars from a dog bite, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can be just as severe as the physical injuries, often leading to a persistent fear of dogs and anxiety that may necessitate therapy, particularly for younger victims.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, most dog bite incidents can be traced back to a handful of major causes:
Lack of Proper Training
Without proper training and socialization, a dog may not know how to respond to unfamiliar situations, causing it to lash out and bite from a place of fear.
Fear or Startling
A dog that is startled by a sudden action or a loud sound may bite instinctively as a form of self-protection.
Territorial Behavior
Dogs often view their home, yard, or even their owner as territory worth defending, and may bite if they feel a person is encroaching on that space.
Rough Play
When playtime gets too rough, a dog might feel threatened and could bite or snap in an attempt to stop the interaction it perceives as dangerous.
Protective Instincts
A dog's instinct to protect what they consider theirs, such as a favorite toy or their food bowl, can cause them to snap if you try to take the item away.
Pain or Illness
A sick or injured dog might react by biting if startled or handled, as it may anticipate that physical contact will only worsen its pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
In Los Angeles, you don’t pay for a personal injury attorney unless you win. We only get paid if we secure a settlement or court award for you, so there are absolutely no upfront costs or financial risks.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, even if a dog's owner denies responsibility, the law is generally on the victim's side. The state operates under a "strict liability" rule, as outlined in Civil Code § 3342. This means an owner is held accountable for injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the dog had a history of aggression or if the owner was negligent. You typically only need to show that the bite happened and that it resulted in your injuries.
However, there are exceptions. An owner's liability could be reduced or even dismissed if the injured person was trespassing or provoked the animal. The specific context of the incident is crucial, and these legal principles apply to all dog bite cases that occur in Los Angeles.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
In California, you have a two-year window from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit for a dog bite, as established by Civil Code § 335.1. It is crucial to act within this timeframe. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely reject your case, even if the dog's owner was clearly negligent.
There is a key exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year clock does not begin to run until their 18th birthday, providing them with more time to file a claim.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you file a claim, the insurance company has 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. After they receive all the necessary proof and documentation from you, they have another 40 days to make a decision on whether to approve or deny your claim.
If your claim is accepted, the insurer is required to issue payment within 30 days of that approval. In total, the entire settlement process, from your initial notice to receiving payment, should be completed within 85 days according to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Los Angeles, it doesn't matter if the dog was leashed or had a clean record with no prior bites. If you were bitten while lawfully present, the owner is still considered liable for your injuries.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Los Angeles, our first step is to listen to your story and understand the full impact of your accident, ensuring you feel heard and supported. We also help assess your injuries and can connect you with trusted medical specialists to ensure you get the care you need.
Your job is to focus on getting better; we’ll handle the rest. While you recover, our team will manage the legal complexities and fight to win the compensation you are entitled to for your medical care, personal suffering, and overall recovery.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for legal support
Golden Gate Legal has helped countless personal injury victims get back on their feet. Let’s do the same for you.
Call us now at (310) 445-3425 or click below for your free consultation.
Protecting your rights when you need it most
We believe in doing what’s right: you focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle the legal process from start to finish.
Fighting for your full compensation
We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
Locations We Serve
Contact Us For a Free Case Evaluation
When dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you need strong support by your side to help you make the right decisions.
