A dog bite injury can leave you with severe injuries, high medical expenses, and emotional trauma. If a dog has attacked you or a loved one, you may be entitled to fair compensation under California’s bite laws.
At our North Hollywood bite law firm, we fight for bite victims to get the rightful compensation they deserve. As a trusted North Hollywood personal injury lawyer, we understand how devastating a traumatic attack can be. Whether you're dealing with medical treatment costs, lost wages, or psychological trauma, our experienced dog bite attorneys are ready to help you navigate the legal claims process and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Are Some Dog Breeds More Dangerous? The Truth About Severe Dog Bites
Any dog has the potential to cause harm, but some breeds are statistically more likely to cause severe injuries due to their size, strength, and vicious behavior. While animal control laws exist to protect the public, bite ordinances aren’t always enforced and bite victims are left suffering.
Some of the most dangerous dog breeds involved in traumatic attacks include:
- Pit Bull – Responsible for a large percentage of severe bite injuries and fatalities
- Rottweiler – Known for their powerful bite force and protective instincts
- German Shepherd – Common in police work, but can be highly aggressive when untrained
- Doberman Pinscher – Strong and territorial, making them unpredictable in certain situations
- Husky – Originally bred for endurance, but capable of traumatic injuries when provoked
- Alaskan Malamute – Large and strong, these dogs can cause serious injuries
- Chow Chow – Known for their strong-willed personality and aggressive tendencies
- Dalmatian – Often excitable and territorial, leading to unexpected bites
If you’ve been bitten by any breed of dog, you have legal rights. California’s strict liability laws mean that the animal owner is liable, regardless of the dog’s previous behavior.
Call us today for a FREE consultation to discuss your case. Our skilled dog bite lawyers will help you take legal action against the liable party and fight for the monetary damages you deserve.
Understanding California Dog Bite Laws: Who’s Liable for Your Injuries?
California has some of the strictest dog bite laws in the country, designed to protect bite victims and hold dog owners accountable. Unlike some states that follow the "one-bite rule", California enforces strict liability for dog attacks.
This means that if a dog bites you even if it has never shown aggression before the animal owner is legally responsible for your injuries. They cannot argue they “had no idea” their dog could bite. Under California Civil Code Section 3342, a dog owner is liable if:
- The bite occurred in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property.
- You did not provoke the dog before the attack.
- The dog’s owner failed to exercise reasonable care in preventing the attack.
However, there are some exceptions where liability could be disputed, such as if the bite victim was trespassing or provoked the dog.
Strict Liability vs. Negligence in Dog Bite Cases
Even if strict liability does not apply, an experienced dog bite lawyer can still help you file a claim under the legal theory of negligence. This applies when a dog owner fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent a dog attack, such as:
- Ignoring animal ordinances requiring dogs to be leashed in public.
- Allowing a dog with known vicious behavior to roam freely.
- Training a dog to be aggressive or attack people.
If a dog owner acted recklessly or negligently, they can still be held legally responsible for your injuries, even if their dog has never bitten anyone before.
How Our North Hollywood Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help
No matter the circumstances, you have legal rights after a dog bite. Our team of experienced dog bite attorneys will:
- Investigate the incident, previous behavior of the dog, and any past reports.
- Gather police reports, witness statements, and medical records to strengthen your case.
- Fight for monetary damages to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
If you or a loved one suffered a dog bite injury, don’t wait to take legal action. California law protects bite victims, and you may be entitled to significant compensation for victims.
Call us today for a FREE consultation! Let our skilled dog bite lawyers handle your claim while you focus on healing.
Negligence in Dog Bite Cases – Can You Sue for More Than a Bite?
While California law follows strict liability for dog bites, there are cases where negligence laws also apply. Negligence in dog bite cases occurs when an animal owner fails to exercise reasonable care, leading to injuries.
Four Key Elements of Negligence in a Dog Bite Lawsuit
To successfully prove negligence, our skilled dog bite lawyers will need to establish:
- Duty – The animal owner had a responsibility to prevent harm (e.g., properly restraining their dog).
- Breach – The owner failed to meet this responsibility by allowing the dog to behave dangerously.
- Causation – The bite injuries were a direct result of the owner's negligence.
- Damages – The victim suffered medical expenses, lost wages, or psychological trauma due to the attack.
Negligence Applies to More Than Just Bites
Negligence in dog-related injuries isn’t limited to bites alone. If a large dog jumps on someone, causing them to fall and break a bone, or if a dog is trained to be aggressive, an owner can still be held liable under negligence laws.
Additionally, if a person is bitten on private property without permission, or if they were provoking the dog, contributory negligence may affect their ability to recover damages. Every case is unique, which is why it's important to speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer to understand your rights.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in North Hollywood
A traumatic attack can leave you in shock, but taking the right steps can protect your health and strengthen your personal injury claim.
1. Get Medical Treatment Right Away
Even if a bite doesn’t seem serious, it can lead to dangerous infections or complications. Medical care is crucial, not only for your safety but also for documenting your injuries for your legal claims.
2. Report the Bite to Authorities
File a police report and notify animal control. These agencies enforce animal control laws and can help track dogs with a history of vicious behavior.
3. Gather Evidence
Take photos of your visible injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog. Get contact information from witnesses and the animal owner.
4. Contact an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer
The legal strategy for your case starts early. A skilled dog bite lawyer can help you file a bite lawsuit, deal with insurance companies, and ensure you get fair compensation for your injuries.
Common Injuries After a Dog Attack
A traumatic attack can cause more than just visible injuries it can leave emotional scars, too. Some of the most common bite injuries we see include:
- Deep cuts and lacerations – These often require stitches and leave permanent scars.
- Broken bones – A dog’s jaw is powerful enough to crush bones, especially in the hands or face.
- Risk of infection – Dog bites can introduce dangerous bacteria, leading to serious infections.
- Psychological trauma – Many victims develop PTSD, anxiety, or a lifelong fear of dogs.
If you’re dealing with any of these, you deserve medical treatment and a fair settlement to cover your recovery.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in North Hollywood
Your actions after a dog bite can make or break your case. Here’s what you need to do:
- Get Medical Help – Even minor bites can lead to infections. See a doctor immediately.
- Report the Bite – Call animal control and file a report. This helps document the attack and prevents future incidents.
- Take Photos & Collect Evidence – Capture images of your visible injuries, torn clothing, and the dog that bit you.
- Get Witness Information – If someone saw what happened, their testimony could strengthen your case.
- Talk to a North Hollywood Dog Bite Lawyer – The sooner you speak with a bite injury lawyer, the better your chances of winning full compensation.
Call a North Hollywood Dog Bite Lawyer Today
A dog bite injury can disrupt your life, leaving you with medical expenses, emotional trauma, and financial stress. You don’t have to handle this alone. Our team is here to help you navigate the legal process, deal with insurance companies, and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
During your free consultation, we’ll discuss your dog bite claim options and explain how we can help. Our legal team will:
- Investigate your case – We gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and document the animal owner’s negligence.
- Negotiate aggressively – We demand that the owner’s insurance provider pays full and rightful compensation for your medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Take your case to court if necessary – If the insurance company refuses to settle fairly, we’ll fight for you in court.
At our firm, we advocate for dog bite victims so they can recover with financial stability. If you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic attack, don’t wait to take action.
Call now at (626) 793-8607 to schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation.
Prefer online? Fill out our quick contact form to get started today.
The sooner you act, the stronger your case. Let’s hold the responsible party accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.
