Los Angeles Dog Bite Injury Lawyers: We Help Dog Attack Victims
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.
Dog bites are incredibly frequent occurrences, especially in California.
Though there are several breeds in particular that are linked to attacks, such as Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds, the owner can also be responsible if they mistreat or abuse the dog.
Dog bite incidents can be terrifying and often lead to lasting mental trauma and anguish in addition to the physical injuries. This is especially true in cases involving infants and minors.
I couldn’t be happier with the end result of my dog bite settlement, Jordan exceeded all my expectations.
Why Hire a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney?
Because dog bite cases can be complex, it is imperative that you are represented by an experienced and knowledgeable dog bite attorney right from the beginning. There is much more that goes into dog bite claims beyond negotiating a settlement with the dog’s owner or their homeowner’s insurance carrier. Some of the things that need to be done as soon as possible after a dog bite include:
- Seek medical attention (Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room)
- Take photographs of the injuries
- Contact witnesses and obtain statements
- Report the attack to animal control services
- Investigate the dog’s owner
- Contact insurance companies and establish claims
Having a skilled and knowledgeable Los Angeles dog bite lawyer will ensure that your claim is handled properly from the outset. 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.
MKP Law Group, LLP’s experienced dog bite attorneys understand how traumatic a dog bite injury can be, and want you to know that you are not alone. Our team also uses skilled investigators to determine the dog’s owner, the dog’s history, and the facts of the attack. We will deal with the insurance company claims and obtain your medical records and bills so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
What You Need to Know About Dog Bites
Dog attacks and dog bites can occur without any provocation.
Seemingly gentle dogs can turn aggressive in an instant. Oftentimes dogs will become violent if they feel cornered, threatened, or see sudden movements. Other times there is no plausible reason for the attack, and the dog has no history of aggression.
Dog bites can occur near your home or in your own backyard. It might be a dog that escaped their yard or that is allowed to roam free or that was unleashed by the pet owner. Other dog bites occur in public spaces like in parks or on sidewalks.
Dog Bite Laws: Who is liable for dog bite injuries in Los Angeles?
The law understands that money cannot make emotional distress suffered because of a dog attack go away. However, exercising your legal rights and seeking compensation makes it possible to deal with the problems by seeking professional help and healing. Moreover, fair compensation gives you the means needed to undergo reconstructive surgery or nerve damage repair after an animal attack.
Each state has its own specific laws in place for handling personal injury cases. In California, it’s important to know there is a two-year statute of limitations for filing a dog bite personal injury claim from the date of the incident. Our injury lawyers have dealt with numerous dog bite claims and have the knowledge to decipher the complexities posed by insurance companies and California laws in order to maximize our clients’ recoveries.
Important! You should not accept any settlement offer made by the liable party without first consulting with a trusted lawyer.
In California, liability for a dog bite falls at the feet of the dog’s owner. Many states, including California, have enacted laws meant to hold the dog owner liable for the dog bite on what is known as a “strict liability” basis.
This means that an owner is responsible for a dog bite even if the owner was not negligent and even if the dog had never attacked anyone else in the past. Strict liability places blame on the dog’s owner even if they had no reason to know the dog was dangerous and regardless of whether the owner failed to protect others from the attack. It is the owner’s responsibility to take care of their pet and ensure it does not attack other people.
Under California Dog Bite Law, Civil Code § 3342, the owner of any dog is liable for damages if:
- the injury is caused by a dog bite; and
- the bite occurs while the injured party is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the private property of the dog owner
Other entities that may be liable for a dog bite, besides the owner, include anyone responsible for the care or custody of the dog including kennels or animal shelters. Additionally, landlords can also be held liable for dog bites if they allowed the dog onto the property or permitted a tenant to house a dangerous pet. Most of the time, these cases are covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy.
Exceptions to the rule:
- A government agency, such as the police and military, cannot be held liable for dog bites that occur when the agency uses a dog while carrying out official duties. This exception only applies if the dog bite victim was a suspect or participant in acts that prompted the use of the dog in the police or military work.
- California law provides an exception to the strict liability of dog owners for dog bites that occur when the injured person is trespassing or otherwise unlawfully on the property. This is an exception to the rule that dog owners are 100% at-fault for a dog bite attack. Generally, property owners are not obligated to maintain a safe property for trespassers. A trespasser is someone who enters someone else’s property without the property owner’s consent.
- Even here, there are exceptions. If you have been bitten by a dog while voluntarily working with it, the owner may still be liable if they knew or suspected that the dog was aggressive but failed to warn you.
- California also makes exceptions for victims who assumed the risk of being bitten, i.e. that they understood the risk of being bitten but proceeded anyway. This rule usually applies to veterinarians who are bitten while treating a dog. (See Nelson v. Hall, 211 Cal. Rptr. 668 (Cal.App.1985)).
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323-524-9619
info@mkplawgroup.com
3701 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 870
Los Angeles, CA 90010
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
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