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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.
A dog bite can turn an ordinary day into a traumatic experience, leaving you with physical injuries, emotional scars, and financial stress.
Unfortunately, dog bites are incredibly frequent in California. Emergency room visits across the state for dog-bite-related injuries increased by 70% from 2005 to 2022, a record high in nearly two decades.
In California, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries their pets cause, regardless of the dog’s history or breed. At MKP Law Group, LLP, our experienced attorneys are here to help you navigate your legal options and seek the compensation you deserve.
Have You Been Bitten? Everything You Need to Know
5 Essential Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If bitten by a dog, promptly visit a local healthcare provider, to treat your injuries and prevent infection. Ensure all treatments are well-documented for your records.
- Report the Incident: Contact animal services or the local police department to file a report on the dog bite. Obtaining a copy of this report is crucial for your legal case.
- Document Everything: Take photographs of your injuries, the location of the incident, and the dog involved if possible. Keep detailed records of your medical visits, expenses, and any interactions with witnesses or the dog owner.
- Avoid Direct Communication with the Dog Owner’s Insurance: Insurance companies may attempt to minimize your claim. Let your attorney handle all communications to protect your interests.
- Consult a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer: Contact an experienced local lawyer who specializes in dog bite cases to explore your legal options and initiate the compensation process.
Local Los Angeles Entities to Consult
Local Medical Facilities:
- PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital
- MLK Community Healthcare
- LA Downtown Medical Center
- Adventist Health White Memorial
Animal Control Services:
- Los Angeles Animal Services is a primary resource for reporting dog bites and obtaining incident reports.
- Los Angeles County Animal Care is another critical resource for reports.
Local Legal Resources:
- Request assistance from local bar associations like the Los Angeles County Bar Association to locate specialized legal assistance.
Community Resources:
- Community peer support groups may be good places to share your experience and get more input.
At MKP Law, we routinely work with dog bite victims from all across Los Angeles. From Venice to Hollywood, Downtown to West L.A., or Koreatown to Little Tokyo, we work with neighbors from all areas. Trust our experienced attorneys to walk you through the legal process after a dog bite incident. We understand city and county laws and want to assist you in securing 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.
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.
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.
California Dog Bite Laws
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.
Who is Liable?
In California, the dog owner is liable for the dog bite on what is known as a “strict liability” basis.
This means that the owner of the dog is responsible for a bite from the dog, 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 personal injury 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)).
Why Hire a Los Angeles County 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.
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 compensation.
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.
Talk to a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney for Free
5 Key Takeaways on Dog Bite Cases
- Dog owners are strictly liable for dog bites. Under California Civil Code Section 3342, California dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their dog regardless of the dog’s history or the owner’s knowledge of its tendencies.
- Engaging an experienced attorney enhances your chances of receiving fair compensation. Legal representation will help you navigate the complex legal system, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for your rights.
- Dog bite victims may be entitled to compensation. From medical expenses to lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs, an attorney can help you pursue all possible damages.
- In California, you generally have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. It is essential to act within this period to preserve your legal rights.
- A successful dog bite claim requires substantial evidence. That includes gathering medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. An attorney can assist you in collecting these documents and presenting this evidence effectively.
Navigating the law is challenging, even if you are not already dealing with medical issues, bills, and missed time from work. Most importantly, a dog bite and related injury easily snowballs into a host of secondary legal worries. Mounting medical bills may lead to collection agency calls. Taking time off work easily results in missed promotion opportunities.
The pain and suffering in the aftermath of this type of animal-related injury is difficult for others to understand. You may encounter relationship problems. Maybe you need counseling. The insurance company is pressuring you to accept their offers, which is very likely a lot less than what you actually need to just break even.
With so much going on, confusion is normal. Meeting with a compassionate legal representative from a local law firm who understands what you are going through is valuable. It may actually help you chart a course out of many of the issues you currently struggle with.
If you or your loved one has suffered injury from a dog bite, please don’t hesitate to contact a Los Angeles County dog bite lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Remember, our dog bite lawyers in Los Angeles work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay us unless we win your case.
I’ve been attacked by a dog. What should I do?
The immediate priority is your safety and well-being. This is not the time to wrap your arm in a shirt and walk home.
Here are some steps to follow:
- Call an ambulance to take you to the hospital. In the meantime, try to stop the bleeding as well as you can. At the hospital, the attending doctor will evaluate your injury and document it. This documentation will be crucial should you file a dog bite injury case and need to show evidence of the injury.
- While at the hospital, ask the staff to take pictures of the injuries. If you are able, you can do so yourself with a phone.
- Make sure to report the incident to Animal Services and file a police report as well. You may ask a friend to stop by the place where the attack happened and take some pictures. This can help your attorney build a case and spot any situations that may have led to the incident (such as a damaged fence allowing a dog to escape.)
- Talk to an attorney to better understand whether you have a case.
Throughout the process, keep track of your expenses. Similarly, determine how your recovery is going. Are you able to return to work? Can you still do the job that you have? The sorts of effects can determine the value of your case should you have one.
Before you give a statement to the insurance company or sign any paperwork, feel free to call us at MKP Law Group, LLP (323-524-9619) to discuss your legal options. We are experienced in getting dog bite victims the full compensation they deserve, and not only for their physical injuries but their psychological and emotional trauma as well.
Immediately after the attack, our dog bite attorneys know how to make the process as easy as possible for you. Our team also works with a network of medical providers, both doctors, and mental health professionals, that can start treating your injuries immediately after an attack.
Our select network of experts and medical providers often works on a no-out-of-pocket lien basis, so bills and medical expenses do not pile up and overwhelm you as you or a loved one recover.
If a dog bite injury has occurred, don’t hesitate to call the team at MKP Law Group, LLP for your 100% free consultation. We will connect you with the care you need and deserve and actively start working towards recovering your losses.
How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?
Quick answer: The cost will be a percentage of your final settlement or trial verdicts, but you and your family members do not spend any up-front money when working with our team.
If you are hesitating to hire an attorney because you worry about costs, don’t. Legal representation is your right. We realize that you are dealing with the aftermath of a scary situation. There are lacerations to heal, fears of disfigurement, and the angst and anguish that go with being the victim of an animal attack.
Our dog bite attorneys want to help you and will work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we will not ask you for money up-front. And, if we fail to get you money to help make up for your losses, we will not even charge you after a verdict.
Of course, we intend to win and will work hard to pursue your claim. With this disclaimer in mind, we will agree to base our fees as a percentage of your settlement or trial verdicts. You and your family members do not spend any up-front money when working with our team.
It is difficult to estimate how much money you could walk away with. Fair compensation depends on documented losses and projected expenses you might incur in the future. Examples include the need for reconstructive surgery, treatment for emotional distress, lasting nerve damage, or lacerations requiring several treatments. Moreover, claims for disfigurement are treated differently when the dog attack victim is a minor. The goal of financial compensation is to help you pay for current and future medical bills. Besides that, there are punitive damages that may be more severe when the animal attack that occurred could have been prevented.
What kind of dog bites can earn compensation?
Dog bites can lead to lasting physical and psychological damage for victims of attacks and dog bites. Imagine going about your business, riding your bike, or walking down the street when a dog comes up and attacks you completely by surprise. It can be very traumatic.
MKP Law Group, LLP’s attorneys understand that surviving dog bites and recovering from dog bite attacks are very different things. Many victims of dog bites sustain the following injuries which can result in a pile-up of medical bills and numerous doctor visits:
- Scarring
- Bone Fractures
- Infections
- Puncture Wounds
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Rabies
- Psychological Trauma (PTSD)
- Death
The experienced dog bite attorneys at MKP Law Group, LLP can determine whether you have a legal claim and the amount of damages that you may be entitled to recover. While these damages vary based on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the team at MKP Law Group, LLP will work tirelessly to obtain maximum compensation for you or a loved one.
How do I know if I am eligible for compensation?
Victims of dog bites are entitled to recover damages for both their monetary and non-monetary losses after suffering a dog bite. The experienced dog bite attorneys at MKP Law Group, LLP will fight to get your full compensation for your losses including:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Earnings or Diminished Earning Capacity
- Pain & Suffering
- Scar Revision Treatment
- Mental Trauma (PTSD)
Each dog bite case is different due to several factors including the severity of the attack and the number of medical bills incurred as a result of the attack. The attorneys at MKP Law Group, LLP will build the best case possible to make sure you or a loved one gets the compensation they deserve.
The same goes for a family member who suffered the wrongful death of a loved one because a dog owner failed to protect the public from a dangerous dog, and the owners property caused injuries leading to death. The California Civil Code provides for such a loss. Therefore, our Southern California team can assist you with this type of claim.
How much money can you get for a dog bite?
It is difficult to estimate how much money you could walk away with. Fair compensation depends on documented losses and projected expenses you might incur in the future. Examples include the need for reconstructive surgery, treatment for emotional distress, lasting nerve damage, or lacerations requiring several treatments.
Moreover, claims for disfigurement are treated differently when the dog attack victim is a minor. The goal of financial compensation is to help you pay for current and future medical bills. Besides that, there are punitive damages that may be more severe when the animal attack that occurred could have been prevented.
Because there are so many considerations that go into the verdicts and discussions on dog bites, working with a legal representative makes the most sense.
The actual compensatory dollar amount depends on tangible documents such as medical bills and missed wages—also, factor in property damage that needs to be repaired. However, verdicts also consider the types of damages you cannot necessarily put a finger on. Examples here include suffering, pain, psychological anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Most importantly, punitive damages are likely, particularly in a situation where a third party knew, or should have known, that they have a dangerous dog.