A dog bite can turn your entire life upside down in an instant. One minute you’re walking down the street, and the next you’re in pain, scared, and wondering how you’ll pay your hospital bills. You don’t have to carry that stress alone; you can hire a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer to help with your injury claim. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
A Los Angeles dog bite lawyer from our team of experienced attorneys can stand up for your rights and fight for what you need to heal. Take action immediately by reaching out to our team at Dordick Law Corporation at (310) 551-0949 today to get started with a consultation and discover your legal options.
The True Cost of a Dog Bite
The true cost of a dog bite adds up fast and goes far beyond just the first doctor’s visit. You may face big medical expenses from dog bites, like emergency room visits, stitches, follow-up care, or even plastic surgery if you have deep wounds or scars. A serious dog bite injury can require extensive medical attention, ongoing treatment, and result in significant medical costs. Many people lose paychecks because they can’t work while they recover, and they may also need therapy to cope with fear or anxiety that lingers long after the bite.
Some victims need surgery later to fix permanent scarring from dog attack injuries. Future medical bills and lost wages should be considered when calculating the true cost of a dog bite. In some cases, insurance companies try to pay the lowest dog bite settlement amounts possible and might claim you healed completely when you’re still in pain. That’s why strong legal representation for dog attack cases matters so much. The right dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles will fight for every dollar you need, so you don’t end up stuck with bills you can’t handle on your own. It is important to seek compensation and ensure you receive fair compensation for all current and future expenses related to the injury.
How Does California’s Dog Bite Law Protect You?
California dog bite law favors victims. Under California law, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets, even if the dog has never bitten before. California dog bite laws apply to incidents that occur on both public and private property where the victim is lawfully present. Pet owners and dog owners are responsible for damages, and a dog’s owner’s insurance or dog owner’s homeowner’s policy may cover dog bite injuries. Dangerous dogs and any dog involved in an attack can lead to a dog bite claim or personal injury claim. Dog bite cases and dog bite injury claims are governed by specific dog bite laws in California, and consulting an experienced attorney is important.
Dog bite injury cases can involve a variety of injuries, and the liable party is often the dog’s owner. If a dog bites you, in most situations, you can seek money for the losses that follow, both financial and intangible. The law applies to all breeds, including pit bulls, retrievers, and chihuahuas. Every dog can bite. Owners can’t claim they didn’t know their dog was dangerous. California’s strict liability law for dog bites means owners must pay if their dog attacks. If the dog bit someone before and the owner did not address the problem, you may file an aggressive dog lawsuit, as well.
Dog Types Most Commonly Identified in Injury Lawsuits
While any dog can bite if it feels scared or threatened, some breeds come up more often in injury claims because of their size, strength, or history of repeated attacks. Even seemingly gentle dogs can unexpectedly bite and cause injury. Here are a few dog types that people frequently name in dog bite lawsuit cases:
Pit Bulls
Pit bulls are strong, muscular dogs that can deliver very powerful bites. Many victims report deep wounds, broken bones, or torn muscles after an attack by this breed. Pit bulls often appear in aggressive dog lawsuit claims because they can do so much damage in just seconds.
German Shepherds
German Shepherds are protective dogs and often work as guard dogs or police dogs. But if they feel threatened or think they need to defend their space, they can bite hard and cause serious injuries. People often name German Shepherds in claims involving dog owner negligence when owners fail to train or control them.
Rottweilers
Rottweilers are large and powerful dogs with a strong bite force. Victims bitten by Rottweilers may face permanent scarring injuries or nerve damage. These cases often include bigger medical bills and longer recovery times.
Mixed Breeds
Mixed-breed dogs can be just as likely to bite, depending on their size and behavior. Sometimes owners think mixed breeds are harmless, but a lack of training can still lead to bites. These claims often focus on owner responsibility for dog attacks, and not just the breed alone.
Common Injuries from Dog Bites
Dog bites can cause a range of injuries, some of which may last for years. Dog bite related injuries can range from a minor dog bite to severe physical injuries requiring extensive care. Here are some of the most common injuries victims face after an attack:
- Puncture Wounds – Puncture wounds happen when a dog’s teeth sink deep into the skin. They may look small on the outside but can hide infection risks underneath. Even a minor dog bite can result in significant injuries caused by bacteria entering the wound.
- Broken Bones – Larger dogs can crush or snap bones in your hands, arms, or legs during an attack. Broken bones may need surgery and months of recovery.
- Amputation – In some cases, a dog may bite off fingers, a nose, an ear, or even, in the case of a small child, a hand.
- Nerve Damage – A strong bite can damage nerves near the wound, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. Some people lose feeling in that area forever.
- Permanent Scarring – Bites to the face, arms, or legs often leave scars that don’t fade with time. Many victims need plastic surgery to help with permanent scarring from dog attack wounds.
- Emotional Trauma – Dog attacks can cause lasting fear, nightmares, or anxiety around animals. This trauma often needs counseling or therapy to heal. Psychological trauma, emotional scars, and even post traumatic stress disorder can result from dog attacks, impacting victims long after the physical injuries have healed.
Treatment After a Dog Bite
Getting the right treatment after a dog bite is important for both your body and your mind. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention and medical treatment after a dog bite to prevent infection, assess the extent of your injuries, and ensure proper recovery. Many people need stitches or wound care right away to close deep cuts and stop bleeding. If the bite broke bones, you may need X-rays, casts, or even surgery to repair the damage. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and shots to protect you from diseases like rabies. Some victims, especially those with deep or facial injuries, may need plastic surgery to help with permanent scarring injuries.
Emotional recovery matters too. Counseling or therapy can help you cope with fear or nightmares. While you focus on your health, remember that medical care can get expensive fast. If you suffered a personal injury from a dog bite, you deserve help paying for these bills and your time away from work. Taking legal action can make sure the dog’s owner covers your costs and helps you move forward without carrying the burden alone.
Reporting the incident to animal control services is also an important step to protect the community and document the attack.
Steps to Take After a Dog Attack
When a dog bites you, the actions you take can make a big difference when it comes to your safety, your health, and your well-being. Dog bites occur in a variety of settings and can affect anyone, making it important for every dog bite victim and dog attack victim to know what steps to take after a dog bite incident. For this reason, you should do the following:
- Get to safety.
- Wash the wound with soap and water.
- Get medical help to reduce infection risks.
- Report a dog bite in Los Angeles to animal control.
- Get the dog owner’s contact details.
- Take photos of your injuries.
- Keep copies of every doctor visit and bill.
- Call an animal attack attorney to learn your options.
Injury victims should document everything to protect their rights.
What Makes a Strong Case
To win your insurance claim dog bite case, you must show clear proof that the dog bit you, that it happened in a place where you had permission to be, and that the bite caused real harm to your body or your life. Strong evidence makes all the difference.
Take photos of your injuries, keep copies of doctor notes, and gather witness statements if anyone saw what happened. These details help build a picture of the attack and your injuries. Experienced dog bite lawyers and personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles understand the legal process and can help identify the liable party. Working with an experienced attorney, such as a dog bite attorney, increases your chances of securing maximum compensation. Dog attack lawyers have the expertise to handle complex dog bite cases and ensure your rights are protected. An experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney knows how to pull all these pieces together to make your case as strong as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you probably have a lot of questions and worries running through your mind. You might wonder how long you have to file a claim, who pays for your medical bills, or what to do if the dog’s owner tries to blame you. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared and less alone as you think about your next steps. Here are answers to some common questions that victims have with our dog bite attorneys in Los Angeles.
How Long Do Settlements Take?
Every case is different. Some settle in a few months, while others take longer if they go to court. A strong claim with clear proof helps speed up the dog bite lawsuit process. Many cases settle before trial when the insurance company sees you’re ready to fight.
How Much Will You Get?
Dog bite settlement amounts depend on how serious your injuries are, how much work you miss, and if you need future care. Scars, nerve damage, or trauma can raise your claim. Your lawyer adds up your medical bills, lost income, and assesses the value of your pain and any changes in your life the bite caused, so you don’t get shortchanged.
What About Emotional Pain?
The law sees trauma as real harm. Many people suffer emotional distress from dog bite attacks, especially kids. You can claim money for therapy and the pain of feeling scared around dogs.
Who Covers Your Medical Bills?
Most of the time, the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance covers medical expenses from dog bites. But they may try to pay less than you deserve. That’s when working with a skilled legal team that has experience handling challenging dog attack cases matters most.
Talk to a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer Today
You didn’t ask to get bitten, and you shouldn’t have to pay for it alone. You deserve care, therapy, and help to heal without drowning in bills. Let a strong team help you gather proof, talk to insurance companies, and stand up for what’s right. To our law firm, you’re not just another claim. You’re a person who deserves to feel safe and whole again.
Contact our Los Angeles premises liability lawyer at Dordick Law Corporation today by calling (310) 551-0949 to get started with a free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened and how we can help you take the next step toward healing. We can even get you the compensation you deserve.
