Dog Bite Lawyer in Los Angeles

A serious dog bite can turn a day in Los Angeles into a medical emergency. Pain, shock, and worry follow you home. In that moment, you need a dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles who brings order to a frightening event.

Many people call a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer after an ER visit or a confusing call with an insurance adjuster. They want answers about strict liability, medical bills, and fair outcomes in a dog bite claim.

At Vaziri Law Group, we offer free consultations and Zoom meetings with no fee unless we win. Call us today.

Statistics on Dog Attacks in California: More Common Than You Think

Dog attacks can happen on sidewalks, in apartment buildings, or in quiet residential streets. California consistently reports some of the highest numbers of dog bite-related emergency room visits in the country. That pattern reflects what injured people and referral partners see every year in Los Angeles County.

Recent state and federal health data show just how widespread the issue has become. This also indicates why countless families turn to legal help following a dog attack.

Key statistics from official public health sources include:

• In 2022, there were 48,596 emergency room visits for dog bites in California, according to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information.
• Children—especially boys under 10—are the most frequent dog bite victims requiring ER care, based on data from the California Department of Public Health.
• The CDC’s dog report says that nearly one in five people bitten by a dog nationwide requires medical attention.

These statistics show that dog attacks are a widespread public health concern. When a dog bite leads to deep puncture wounds, psychological injuries, or time away from work, a Los Angeles dog bite injuries lawyer can provide clear guidance on your rights under California law.

What to Do If a Dog Attacks You and How to Protect Your Rights

The moments after a dog attack are confusing and painful. You may feel torn between getting medical help and trying to figure out who owns the dog. Taking a few practical steps can protect both your health and your future dog bite injury case.

Here’s what to do after a dog bites you:

• Get medical care quickly: Visit the emergency room, urgent care, or your doctor, even if the wound looks minor. Dog bites can lead to infection, scarring, and hidden damage to muscles and nerves.
• Identify the dog owner: Ask for the dog owner’s name, address, and contact information. If possible, confirm rabies vaccinations and find out whether a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company may be involved.
• Report the attack: Contact animal control or law enforcement so they can create an official record. Animal control reports and police reports often become key evidence in dog bite cases.
• Document the scene: Take pictures of the dog, any injuries you have, your torn or bloody clothes, and the location where the dog attacked you. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw what happened.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions: Keep all medical records, prescriptions, and receipts. These documents help show the full scope of your medical bills and treatment.

These simple steps create a clearer timeline and support your injury claim. A dog bite injury attorney in Los Angeles can then use this information to build a strong case while you focus on healing.

What California Law Says About Liability for Dog Attacks

California’s dog bite law uses a strict liability standard. Under Civil Code Section 3342, a dog owner is responsible when their dog bites someone in a public place or when the person is lawfully on private property. You don’t need to prove past aggression or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

There are limited defenses available. A dog owner may argue that a person trespassed or intentionally provoked the dog, but those claims often fail under close review. In some cases, property owners can also face responsibility when they allow a dangerous dog to remain on the premises, especially after complaints or prior incidents.

Vaziri Law Group understands how strict liability interacts with personal injury law in real cases. As lawyers for dog bites in L.A., we study dog bite law, animal control history, and property records to show how the attack happened and why the dog owner should be held accountable.

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Cases

Every dog bite case in Los Angeles runs on a legal timeline. In most situations, you have two years from the date of the dog attack to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. Waiting too long can put your claim at risk and give the defense more room to challenge your case.

Certain situations can affect this deadline. Dog attack victims who are minors may have additional time in some circumstances, and claims involving public entities often require earlier notices and special procedures. Talking to a lawyer early helps you avoid missing these hidden time limits.

A dog bite injury attorney in Los Angeles can review the date of the attack, any prior notices, and where the incident took place. That review helps set a clear plan for insurance claims, negotiations, and, if needed, filing suit before the statute of limitations expires.

Examples of Dog Owner Negligence in Los Angeles

Strict liability applies even when a dog owner claims they “never expected this to happen.” In Los Angeles, many cases of dog bites also show clear signs of carelessness. These facts help explain the cause of the attack and can strengthen your claim.

Common examples of dog owner negligence include:

• Allowing a dog off-leash in areas where Leash Laws require control, such as public sidewalks and shared outdoor spaces.
• Failing to restrain a dog with a known history of aggression or prior dog attacks, especially in crowded places or near children.
• Letting a dog roam freely through unfenced yards, open gates, or damaged fencing in residential areas.
• Ignoring reasonable safety steps, such as secure gates, proper muzzles, or warning signs when a dog has shown aggressive behavior.
• Bringing a dog into locations where pets are not allowed, or leaving the dog with someone who cannot safely handle stronger dog breeds.

Proof of these decisions backs up dog bite liability and shows why the owner should carry the blame, not the victim. Our Los Angeles dog bite lawyers will explore every possibility.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites cause more than minor wounds. They leave many struggling with damage that affects work, mobility, and relationships. Some wounds improve with treatment, but others need operations or leave lasting scars that change daily life.

The dog’s size and strength influence the damage. Powerful breeds like pit bulls and German Shepherds can break bones or tear tissue, while even small dogs may leave deep puncture wounds with a high infection risk. Children are especially vulnerable, and these patterns lead to the types of injuries we often see in dog attack cases.

Puncture Wounds and Lacerations

Puncture wounds occur when a dog’s teeth drive straight into the skin and deeper tissue. They may look small at first, but they can reach muscles, tendons, or joints and create pockets where bacteria grow. These wounds close quickly, which makes them harder to clean and more likely to become infected.

When the skin rips instead of getting a clean cut, lacerations happen. Doctors often need to stitch or surgically treat these wounds, and they might leave visible scars after healing. Healthcare workers keep detailed records of such injuries to explain why some patients require long-term care or cosmetic surgery.

Broken Bones and Joint Damage

Larger dogs can knock people down or clamp onto arms, legs, or hands with enough force to break bones, damage joints, and crush soft tissue. Fingers and wrists are especially at risk when someone raises their hands to protect their face.

These injuries may require casting, pins, or plates, along with physical therapy and restrictions at work. Joint damage can also create lasting stiffness or weakness, and some joints never feel the same even after the bone heals.

Facial Injuries and Scarring

People, especially children, get bitten on the face when they are close to a dog’s face. A dog’s sharp teeth can injure parts like the lips, cheeks, nose, or eyelids. Treating these wounds requires surgery rather than simple stitches. The scars left behind are often noticeable and take time to fade.

Facial scarring carries emotional as well as physical effects. Many victims feel self-conscious in social settings, and children may face teasing as they heal. Plastic surgeons sometimes recommend follow-up procedures months or years later to improve function and appearance, which increases the medical costs involved in a dog bite injury case.

Nerve Damage and Mobility Problems

A dog bite can injure nerves that control movement and sensation, especially in the hands, arms, legs, and face. These injuries may cause numbness, tingling, sharp pain, or weakness that makes daily tasks difficult. Some victims struggle with simple activities that once felt automatic.

Some nerve injuries get better with treatment, but others leave permanent problems. Workers using tools, lifting heavy objects, or typing for hours might struggle with those activities or find them unmanageable after a severe bite. 

Infections and Disease

Dog saliva carries many types of bacteria, and deep puncture wounds make it easier for those bacteria to spread. Infections can develop quickly and may appear as redness, swelling, warmth, or increasing pain around the bite, sometimes with fever or chills. Children, older adults, and people with weaker immune systems face an even higher risk.

Doctors might give antibiotics, clean wounds, or provide hospital treatment if infections get worse. Worries about rabies or tetanus might come up, too, and patients need quick vaccines and close watch until their test results are clear. These extra measures make recovery harder and more expensive.

Emotional and Psychological Injuries

Dog bites affect the mind as much as the body. Many people develop nightmares, panic, or a lasting fear of dogs. Children may avoid parks, friends’ homes, or any place where dogs might be present, which can lead to isolation and changes in routine.

Mental health experts sometimes identify post-traumatic stress disorder following intense attacks. People with this condition often deal with flashbacks, constant alertness, and difficulty concentrating. These emotional scars continue to affect everyday life even after the body recovers. Evidence of this can come from reports by therapists and family members.

What Types of Damages Can You Seek in a Dog Bite Case?

A serious dog attack can leave you facing medical bills, missed work, and lasting pain. California personal injury law allows dog bite victims to seek compensation that reflects both financial losses and the human impact of the attack.

Each type of damage tells part of the story and shows how the bite affected your health, income, and daily life. The main categories include medical expenses, income-related losses, and non-economic harms such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement.

Medical Expenses and Future Care

Healthcare costs start with visits to the emergency room, ambulance rides, and urgent care. They go on to include follow-up doctor visits, prescription drugs treating wounds, and physical therapy. These expenses can add up fast when several different doctors are needed.

Future medical care can be even more significant, from surgeries for scarring to hardware removal or procedures that improve mobility. Children may need new treatments as they grow. A complete dog bite injury case includes both current and projected medical expenses, so your claim reflects the full scope of care, not just the first round of treatment.

Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity

Time away from work often starts the day of the attack. Hospital visits, follow-up appointments, and recovery periods keep many people from returning to their jobs right away, and Lost Wages add up quickly for those in hourly or physically demanding roles.

Some victims cannot return to the same work because permanent injuries to the hands, arms, legs, or face limit what they can do. That shift affects long-term earning capacity, not just a few missed shifts. Economists and vocational experts can help calculate the lasting financial impact so your claim reflects more than a short-term loss.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages show the effects of dog bite injuries on everyday life. Victims often deal with severe pain during medical care, ongoing soreness, and difficulty with simple tasks like walking, sleeping, or carrying things. Insurance adjusters and courts look at how intense the pain is, how long it takes to heal, and if the pain will continue in the future.

These damages show how pain can take away hobbies and daily habits. A person who loved jogging, gardening, or spending time with their children might lose the ability to do those things. Doctors’ notes and personal stories demonstrate how such losses reduce independence and hurt a person’s overall well-being.

Emotional Distress and Psychological Harm

Emotional distress describes the mental strain that can follow a dog attack. Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder may appear days or weeks after the incident, even when the physical wounds seem to be healing. Therapists often document how these issues affect work, relationships, and sleep.

They may note panic around dogs, avoiding certain places, or difficulty concentrating. This information helps show the full weight of the attack. Including emotional distress in a dog bite case makes sure both visible and invisible injuries are recognized and helps secure support for ongoing therapy.

Scarring, Disfigurement, and Appearance Changes

Scarring and disfigurement are common after dog bites, especially on the face, neck, or hands. These areas are hard to hide and can affect how a person feels about their appearance and how they interact with others. Children are particularly sensitive to these changes.

Victims may hesitate in social settings, avoid photos, or worry about how others will react. The law treats scarring and disfigurement as a separate category of harm, and a fair resolution considers how these scars may look and feel over a lifetime.

Factors Affecting Dog Bite Settlements in Los Angeles

No two dog bite cases are alike. Even when injuries look similar, settlement values can differ based on the details of the attack and the insurance coverage involved. These factors show why settlement ranges vary from case to case.

When evaluating a dog bite settlement, factors often include:

• Severity of the injuries: Deeper wounds, broken bones, nerve damage, or traumatic brain injuries tend to increase the value of dog bite cases.
• Length of recovery: Longer treatment, repeated surgeries, and extensive rehabilitation usually lead to higher medical costs and larger claims.
• Impact on daily life: Limits on work, family responsibilities, and activities you once enjoyed all affect settlement value.
• Owner’s conduct: Evidence that a dog owner ignored warnings, violated Leash Laws, or allowed repeated attacks can strengthen the case.
• Insurance coverage: Policy limits on homeowners’ or renters’ insurance shape the practical ceiling for many insurance settlements.

A Los Angeles dog bite accident lawyer reviews each of these elements before discussing settlement ranges. Our goal is to present a clear, evidence-based picture of all of your costs so the insurance company cannot minimize your claim.

Proving Liability in Dog Bite Cases

Strict liability gives dog bite attorneys in California a strong foundation, but evidence still matters. Proving who owned the dog, where the attack happened, and how the bite occurred can make the difference between a denied claim and a fair recovery.

In many dog bite cases, important liability questions include:

• Victim’s age: When very young children are involved, arguments about provocation or assumption of risk often carry less weight.
• Location of the incident: You generally need to show that the dog bite occurred in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property.
• Establishing ownership and control: Identifying the dog owner and anyone responsible for the dog at the time helps direct the injury claim to the proper insurance company.

Los Angeles dog bite injury lawyers use medical records, photographs, animal control reports, and witness statements to answer these questions. This factual record supports the strict liability standard and helps your legal team respond when the defense tries to shift blame away from the dog owner.

Why You Need a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bite cases often involve strict liability questions, insurance issues, and long-term medical needs that aren’t always clear at the start. A skilled legal team reviews medical records, evaluates future care, and examines liability details to help you make informed decisions.

Your dog bite injury attorney in L.A. begins by listening to your account and reviewing the documents tied to the attack. Our team handles communication with the insurance adjuster and defense lawyer, taking stressful calls and paperwork off your plate so you can focus on recovering.

Vaziri Law Group prepares each serious dog attack case with the detail needed for negotiation or trial. Clients and referral partners value our clear communication and streamlined process that keeps cases moving. Our goal is a result that reflects the full impact of the attack.

A Clear Path After a Difficult Experience

After a serious dog attack, you need guidance that is clear and focused on your recovery. Vaziri Law Group has supported injured people across Los Angeles County for years, bringing over 200 years and over $1 billion in case results for injury victims across California. Our team understands how quickly medical costs and emotional strain build after an unexpected bite.

Whether the attack happened on a public sidewalk, at a friend’s home, or inside a rental property, a dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles can review your situation, explain how strict liability applies, and outline realistic options for moving forward.

If you need legal support, contact Vaziri Law Group for a free consultation. We can meet with you in person or by Zoom, answer your questions, and move your case forward with no fee unless we win.