Glendale Dog Bite Lawyers

Injuries Caused by Dog Bites

Dog bites can cause a variety of injuries, ranging from minor puncture wounds to severe trauma, including nerve damage, infection, and scarring. Dogs can also jump on people and children, knocking them down and causing injuries, such as concussions, broken bones, dental damage, and other injuries. 

These consequences can extend beyond the immediate physical damage, leading to complex medical conditions and long-term psychological distress for victims. 

Severe dog bite injuries may require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, to address torn tissues, reduce the risk of infection, and improve the appearance of scars. Infections are a serious complication of dog bites; bacteria from the dog’s mouth are a potential cause.

Victims might also endure lengthy rehabilitation processes to regain full function of the affected area, especially in cases involving nerve damage. The psychological impact of dog bites can be equally daunting, as victims may develop phobias of dogs, experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or suffer from anxiety as a result of the attack. 

In the worst dog attack cases, victims have suffered catastrophic injuries from mauling, ending in death. 

What Are the Laws About Dog Bites in Los Angeles?

California operates under a "strict liability" statute concerning dog bite cases. This means that a dog owner can be held liable if their dog bites someone, regardless of the dog's previous behavior or the owner's knowledge or lack of knowledge regarding such behavior. 

This law applies when the victim is bitten in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the dog owner's property. This approach contrasts with the "one-bite" rule applicable in some other states, where the owner may not be held liable for a first bite if they had no reason to believe their dog was dangerous.

Los Angeles follows California's strict liability statutes regarding dog bites. Under California Civil Code Section 3342, dog owners may be liable for damages and losses if you or your child were injured in an attack. 

Filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim

You can file an injury claim for a dog bite if you were bitten in a public place or were lawfully present in a private place. This right applies whether you were invited as a guest, performing a duty imposed by law, or delivering services, such as mail delivery.

For example, suppose a child is invited to a neighbor's home to play and is bitten by the family dog. In that case, the homeowner can be held responsible for the child's injuries, regardless of whether the dog has shown aggression in the past. Another example might include a pedestrian walking through a public park bitten by an off-leash dog, violating local leash laws. In this scenario, the dog's owner could be held liable for the victim's medical expenses, pain, suffering, and any other damages resulting from the bite.

Homeowner's insurance can play a critical role in dog bite cases, offering financial protection to the dog owner against claims made by the bite victim. Most homeowner's insurance policies include liability coverage, which may cover the costs associated with dog bite injuries, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

This coverage typically applies whether the bite occurs on the owner's property or elsewhere. However, some insurance policies may have exclusions for particular breeds considered high-risk or dogs with a history of aggression. 

Dog bite victims should know that seeking compensation through homeowner's insurance is common. This means you will be up against well-funded and resourceful insurers looking to protect themselves from injury claim payouts. Get in touch with a dog bite attorney in Glendale at Hartounian, APLC for qualified legal counsel by your side.

How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit After A Dog Bite In California?