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323-524-9619

info@mkplawgroup.com

3701 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 870
Los Angeles, CA 90010

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Our attorneys exclusively represent injury victims.
For years we have fought on behalf of clients who were hurt in accidents due to the negligence of another party.

Long Beach Dog Bite Lawyer

Long Beach’s municipal code §6.16.100 specifies that a dog leash is required on, “any public street, sidewalk, improvement, park or other public places, or private property if the private property is open or accessible to the public.”

Even still, Long Beach dog bite injuries happen.

Have you been injured in a dog bite incident or attack? Are you embarrassed to talk to a lawyer about your dog bite injury? You are not alone. People hesitate to contact dog bite injury attorneys because they feel silly for being bitten, or they are worried about what the dog owner might say.

The dog owner is probably the first one to tell you that it is not a big deal.

However, when the hospital bills come due, it is clear that you need legal assistance to prevent sinking rapidly into debt.

Local Long Beach Entities to Consult After a Dog Bite

Local Medical Facilities:

Animal Control Services:

Local Legal Resources:

Community Resources:

  • Community support groups or neighborhood associations are important venues to share your experience and get peer advice.

MKP Law serves dog bite victims in and around Long Beach. Our team assists residents of Cambodia Town, north Long Beach, Naples, Belmont Shore, and downtown. When you need help protecting your legal rights after suffering a dog bite injury, our experienced attorneys are here to help you navigate the legal process. Our team understands the local laws and can assist you in securing fair compensation for your injuries while you recover.

Don't hesitate to reach out to us for a free consultation immediately following a dog bite injury to help understand if you have a case.

Why Hire a Long Beach Dog Bite Attorney?

The Insurance Information Institute ranks California as the number one state for dog bite incidents. Its 2019 data shows that there were 2,396 claims with an average cost of $51,265 per claim. The value of these claims was $122.83 million.

Since California is the state with the highest risk of sustaining a dog bite, a Long Beach dog bite lawyer can help you effectively navigate the dog bite laws and processes for receiving compensation. If you are unsure how to report the attack to Animal Services or establish a claim with the insurance company, the law office’s staff can assist you.

Even though your immediate concern may be focused on initial medical costs, there are other expenses you might not have thought of including:

  • Scar treatment. Children, in particular, benefit from the treatment of scarring to minimize the visible remnants of the attack. Adults, too, may need to undergo this treatment.
  • Mental health care. Did you know that dog bite victims can develop PTSD and similar conditions? Feeling suddenly afraid around dogs can be utterly dehabilitating. Treatment is available, however, there is a significant cost.
  • Lost wages. You probably took some time off. Maybe you were fearful to leave your home for a few days. It is possible that the dog attack made it difficult or impossible to perform your regular job. In these cases, you may be dealing with a diminished earning capacity in addition to lost wages.

Having a skilled and knowledgeable Long Beach dog bite lawyer will ensure that your claim is handled properly from the outset and the estimated costs of medical expenses is properly accounted for. The attorneys at MKP Law Group, LLP have handled dozens of dog bite cases and are here to help dog bite victims win the maximum compensation they deserve.

Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts

Settlement amounts for dog bite cases can vary widely. Factors like injury severity, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, make each case unique and will determine how much a Los Angeles dog bite injury victim may receive as compenation.

Location/Measure Settlement Amount 
United States $58,545
California  $68,125
Average range  $10,000 - $100,000
Median range $75,000 - $80,000

 

Working with a local dog bite attorney ensures you're equipped to navigate the complexities of your claim, maximizing your settlement by countering low-ball offers and advocating for the compensation you deserve.

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1 in 118,776 Odds of Dying from a Dog Attack

Stats on Dog Bites in the United States, California, and Long Beach County

Long Beach County dog bite stats:

  • 76 dogs have been "confiscated" due to bite incidents since 2017. Data.LongBeach.gov
  • Long Beach ranks #20 nationwide for mail carriers who suffer the most dog attacks, with 19 incidents reported in 2023. USPS.com

Despite our love for dogs, the number of attacks by these beloved animals continues to increase both in Long Beach County, California, and nationwide.

  • 4.7 million incidents were reported in the United States in 1994 and nearly 800,000 people required medical treatment. In addition to that, the report estimates 333,700 patients received emergency care, approximately 6,000 of those were hospitalized. Cdc.gov.
  • 70% increase in California dog bite injuries from 2005 to 2022, 125 visits per 100,000 residents. Data.chhs.ca.gov
  • California was the top state for dog-related injury claims in 2017. The insurance company paid out $18.7 million for 468 dog-related injury claims for incidents that occurred in California. Overall, including all dog-related injury claims across the country, State Farm paid a total of $132 million for the 3,600 cases.  Statefarm.com.
  • 66% of reported canine deaths were from pit bulls (311 of 471). Pit bulls and rottweilers together account for 76% of the total recorded deaths reported. DogsBite.org.

Surprisingly, some of the most loveable breeds such as the beloved labrador also made the list of most dangerous breeds despite being commonly designated as a less aggressive breed.

Infographic: America's Most Dangerous Dog Breeds | Statista

Source: Statista

We've rounded up all the most important data in our Important Dog Bite Statistics & Bites by Breed for 2024 page.

Do I Need a Long Beach Dog Bite Lawyer to File a Lawsuit?

After an accident, the dog owner has a vested interest in downplaying the attack. However, if it happened on their property, the homeowner’s insurance coverage will be tapped to pay for your care.

Take advantage of the resources a local attorney can offer to find medical providers who work with you on a no-out-of-pocket lien basis, which prevents the buildup of medical bills. A personal injury lawyer in Long Beach can also direct you to a psychologist who may be able to help you with the stress and emotional consequences.

In California, there is a two-year statute of limitations for filing a dog bite personal injury claim from the date of the incident. However, waiting to hire an experienced dog bite attorney is never recommended as there are many factors that can reduce the value of your claim.

Working with local Long Beach dog bite & attack lawyers ensures you get help handling the insurance claims and they will negotiate with the insurance company to get you top dollar. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly and only makes low-ball offers, attorneys are experienced litigators and will file suit in court.

At MKP Law Group, LLP, we have personal injury attorneys that are highly experienced in handling dog bite injury & attack cases and have obtained large settlements on behalf of our clients. Call 323-522-2606 or fill out the contact form below to discuss your case and legal options with our dog bite lawyers.

We proudly service clients in Long Beach and other cities in Los Angeles County including Santa Monica, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale, and more. We also represent clients in Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County as well.

FAQ's

Free Consultation

We Make the Process Easy to Get the Results You Deserve

323-524-9619

info@mkplawgroup.com

3701 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 870
Los Angeles, CA 90010

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Meet Attorney Jordan W.Peagler

Jordan W. Peagler is a partner and co-founder of MKP Law Group, LLP who was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Jordan is a trial attorney who handles complex civil litigation matters in personal injury, medical malpractice and insurance bad faith. Jordan has handled all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation through mediation, arbitration, and trial.

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Meet Attorney Matt Meyer

Matt Meyer is a founding partner of MKP Law Group, LLP and has worked on both sides of personal injury cases. He began his career defending Fortune 500 and insurance companies in high-stakes litigation. Unfortunately, he discovered that years of representing corporations--instead of people--was not good for the soul.

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Meet Attorney Adam Kim

Adam D. Kim is a native of Chicago, Illinois and a co-founding partner of MKP Law Group, LLP. Adam has focused his litigation practice on all types of personal injury matters, including wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall, and dog bites. With the realization that many clients view litigation and legal matters to be an unpleasant and confusing experience.

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Free Consultation

We Make the Process Easy to Get the Results You Deserve

323-524-9619

info@mkplawgroup.com

3701 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 870
Los Angeles, CA 90010

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Reviewed by

Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Updated October 26, 2024

Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Updated October 26, 2024