Our Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney Can Help You With California Dog Bite Claims

The City of Los Angeles is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California. With roughly 3.9 million residents within the city limits as of 2020, Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind only New York City; it is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of the Southern California region. If you’ve been injured in a dog bite incident in Los Angeles, trust Pacific Attorney Group for your California dog bite claim. Our experienced team will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!

California Dog Bite Claims

LA is home to many beautiful things, which draws the interest of many visitors and the pride of many residents. However, there is also a problem that is being largely unnoticed. Every day, more people are falling victim to dog bites, sometimes because of irresponsible pet ownership practices. For those who have been harmed by dog-related injuries, a Dog Bite Attorney can help.

Dog Attack Statistics

About 4.7 million dog bite cases are documented in the United States every year, and the number continues to increase 15 times faster than the national increase in dog ownership. Sadly, LA belongs to a state with the highest number of dog-related injuries in the nation. It is a very serious issue, and having a reliable LA Dog Bite Attorney will make sure that justice and compensation are properly administered to those who need it.

Of the dog-bite victims in the United States every year, about 850,000 individuals are going to need medical attention, which costs the health care system approximately $1 billion dollars annually. Sometimes, the injuries are so severe that it can result in permanent damages to the brain or any other vital part of the body. In some cases, dog bites can even result to death. There is no question that dog-related injuries can ruin lives and families in an instant. Interestingly, nearly three-fourths of incidents happen near or at the pet owners’ residence, and the usual victims are letter carriers and children.

Pacific Attorney Group is a competent Dog Bite Attorney who will give parents the recourse to take action their little loved ones are harmed due to dog-bite cases. In addition, mail carriers and other workers can have the reassurance of knowing that they can do their job without fear of being neglected by the justice system when injured by dogs. Pet ownership is a responsibility, and those who fail to be accountable for their own pets will pay the consequences.

How to claim compensation for a dog bite?

A solicitor can assist you in filing a compensation claim for a dog bite, even under the following circumstances:

• The owner does not have pet insurance.
• You are unaware of the owner’s identity.
• The victim of the dog attack is a loved one.

Suffering any type of injury can be distressing, and dog bites are no exception. It is possible to seek compensation to cover both the physical pain experienced and the psychological impact caused by the dog attack. For instance, if you had to take time off work to recover, our Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney will help you claim for any lost earnings.

If you are uncertain about whether you have a valid claim, you have the option to consult with a knowledgeable legal advisor at 800-358-961 for free. They will evaluate your situation and inform you immediately whether they believe you have grounds for a claim. Alternatively, you can complete this claim form to schedule a call back.

Tips on How to Prevent Dog Bites and Other Related Injuries

• Parents must always make it a point to supervise their kids whenever they are on the streets. Accidents do happen unexpectedly, but their chances of being mitigated are in the hands of parents and guardians.
• Mail carriers and other people who usually work on outdoor locations should take precautions by trying to be near a vehicle whenever possible.
• Take a proactive approach in the community. Lobby the City Hall to take stringent measures on pet owners who do not abide by pet ownership rules.
• When living next to a dog owner, make sure that their pet is properly leashed or guarded at all times. If not, make sure to speak with your neighbor. Do not be afraid. Everyone has a right to live on safe streets. In some cases, people are not even aware that their pets are putting other people’s lives in danger. A gentle reminder can go a long way in protecting a neighborhood from countless unnecessary injuries.
• For pet owners, it is always important to keep in mind that it is your responsibility to make sure that their pets are well-trained and disciplined. Dogs can truly be man’s best friend, but can also be a detriment when left without any guidance from their masters.

Keeping a neighborhood safe from dog bites is simple, but sadly, it cannot be completely eradicated. In such cases, a good Dog Bite Attorneys can help. It has a proven track record in representing victims of countless animal attacks. Isn’t it time to bite back against irresponsible dog owners?

If you have been the victim of a dog bite or animal attack in LA, please call a dog attack attorney right away for a free legal consultation or click here to fill out our convenient online evaluation form.

Common defenses in dog bite claims

Here are some of the most common defenses used in dog bite claims:

• Provocation: The dog owner may argue that the victim provoked the dog, such as by teasing, hitting, or otherwise harming it. This defense can be successful if the victim’s actions would reasonably cause a dog to bite.
  
• Trespassing: If the victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property at the time of the bite, the owner may not be liable.
• Lack of injury: In some cases, the dog owner may argue that the victim did not suffer any significant injuries from the bite. This defense is often unsuccessful, as even minor dog bites can cause serious infections.
• Assumption of risk: If the victim knew that the dog had a history of biting or aggressive behavior, they may be found to have assumed the risk of being bitten.
• “One-bite” rule: In some states, dog owners are not liable for the first time their dog bites someone, unless they knew that the dog had a propensity to bite.

It’s important to note that the availability and success of these defenses may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the laws of the jurisdiction. Consulting with a personal injury attorney experienced in dog bite claims will help you understand your rights and navigate the legal process.

California Dog Bite Laws

Calif. Civil Code § 3342.

a. The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. A person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner within the meaning of this section when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner.

b. Nothing in this section shall authorize the bringing of an action pursuant to subdivision (a) against any governmental agency using a dog in military or police work if the bite or bites occurred while the dog was defending itself from an annoying, harassing, or provoking act, or assisting an employee of the agency in any of the following:

c. 1. In the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has a reasonable suspicion of the suspect’s involvement in criminal activity.

d. 2. In the investigation of a crime or possible crime.

e. 3. In the execution of a warrant.

f. 4. In the defense of a peace officer or another person.

h. Subdivision (b) shall not apply in any case where the victim of the bite or bites was not a party to, nor a participant in, nor suspected to be a party to or a participant in, the act or acts that prompted the use of the dog in the military or police work.

i. Subdivision (b) shall apply only where a governmental agency using a dog in military or police work has adopted a written policy on the necessary and appropriate use of a dog for the police or military work enumerated in subdivision (b).

Calif. Civil Code § 3342.5

a. The owner of any dog that has bitten a human being shall have the duty to take such reasonable steps as are necessary to remove any danger presented to other persons from bites by the animal.

b. Whenever a dog has bitten a human being on at least two separate occasions, any person, the district attorney, or city attorney may bring an action against the owner of the animal to determine whether conditions of the treatment or confinement of the dog or other circumstances existing at the time of the bites have been changed to remove the danger to other persons presented by the animal. This action shall be brought in the county where a bite occurred. The court, after hearing, may make any order it deems appropriate to prevent the recurrence of such an incident, including, but not limited to, the removal of the animal from the area or its destruction if necessary.

c. Whenever a dog trained to fight, attack, or kill has bitten a human being, causing substantial physical injury, any person, including the district attorney, or city attorney may bring an action against the owner of the animal to determine whether conditions of the treatment or confinement of the dog or other circumstances existing at the time of the bites have been changed to remove the danger to other persons presented by the animal. This action shall be brought to the county where a bite occurred. The court, after hearing, may make any order it deems appropriate to prevent the recurrence of such an incident, including, but not limited to, the removal of the animal from the area or its destruction if necessary.

d. Nothing in this section shall authorize the bringing of an action according to subdivision (b) based on a bite or bites inflicted upon a trespasser, or by a dog used in military or police work if the bite or bites occurred while the dog was performing in that capacity.

e. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent legislation in the field of dog control by any city, county, or city and county.

f. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the liability of the owner of a dog under Section 3342 or any other provision of the law.

g. A proceeding under this section is a limited civil case.