Beverly Hills Dog Bite Attorney

Injured By a Dog in Beverly Hills? Contact Our California Dog Bite Lawyer Today

While dogs can make great companions, the reality is that they can also be extremely dangerous if the proper safety precautions are not taken. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) cites data showing that nearly 4.6 million people are bitten by dogs nationwide each year. Nearly 20 percent of dog bites require professional medical care. Half of all people who get medical care for a dog bite end up being admitted to the hospital due to the severity of the attack. 

If a dog bites and injures you, its owner may owe you money for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. A personal injury attorney at Saeedian Law Group can help you pursue it, working to establish the owner’s liability so you can recover the money you need to move on with your life. Do not take on an insurance company alone. Contact us at our Beverly Hills law office for a free, no obligation consultation with a top-rated California dog bite injury attorney.

What Should I Do If a Dog Bites Me in Beverly Hills?

An attack by a dog is a serious issue and it should always be treated as such. If a dog bites you, take photos of the scene, the dog, and your injuries, if possible, then seek prompt medical attention. A dog bite injury should be evaluated by a doctor. There is an infection risk. Depending on the severity of the bite, you may need emergency medical care, or you could be seen at an urgent care facility. 

Stick to your treatment plan, and compile a file with your medical records and bills related to the treatment for the dog bite. This documentation serves as critical evidence in subsequent investigations. Finally, contact an attorney as soon as possible after the attack so they can gather additional evidence and talk to any eyewitnesses while the dog bite incident is still fresh in their minds.

How Do Dog Bites Happen? 

Dogs bite for any number of reasons. Even dogs without a history of violence sometimes unexpectedly bite if they feel threatened or to protect their owner. Other common scenarios that lead to dog bites include: 

• The dog gets loose and runs away 
• The dog owner fails to comply with local leash laws 
• The owner does not maintain control of the dog while on a leash 
• The dog is provoked 
• Someone tries to pet an unfamiliar dog 
• Someone trespasses on private property where a dog is present 

Critically, under California law, the dog owner must take care to prevent foreseeable attacks by maintaining control of their pet. They can be held liable when their failure to do so results in someone else’s injuries. Negligence on the part of a dog owner is not required.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries 

Dog attacks can result in serious, long-lasting injuries. The dog’s size, strength, and breed can dictate the severity of the injuries, which may include: 

• Puncture wounds 
• Facial and eye injuries
• Deep lacerations
• Muscle and ligament injuries 
• Nerve damage 
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement 
• Infections 

In addition to these physical injuries, a dog bite can also cause emotional trauma and mental distress. Dog bite attorneys can fully evaluate your injuries and losses to pursue your maximum compensation while you focus on your recovery.

All Dog Bite Injuries in California Require Immediate Medical Care

If a dog’s mouth punctures the skin, the victim should get professional medical attention—especially if the dog is unknown. Infection is a very serious risk for dog bites. According to data cited by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), approximately one in seven dog bites that puncture the skin becomes infected. You may have heard that a dog’s mouth is clean. That is largely a myth. It is actually filled with bacteria. Indeed, the saliva of dogs can harbor bacteria that, when introduced into a wound, cause major infections. Doctors and other medical professionals can properly clean and assess dog bite wounds—which is crucial for preventing the onset of infections that can lead to more serious health issues. Delaying medical care after a dog bite can allow infections to develop and spread. 

A Comprehensive Overview of Dog Bite Liability Laws in California

Were you or your loved one bitten by a dog in Beverly Hills or elsewhere in Los Angeles County? It is crucial that you understand that these claims fall under state law. Here are key points to understand about dog bite liability in California 

• Strict Liability (Dog Owner): Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners can be held strictly liable if their canine bites an innocent person. Strict liability means that dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their animal’s bite even if they were unaware of any aggressive tendencies. The victim is not required to prove negligence on the part of the dog owner in order to impose liability. Instead, he or she only needs to prove the bite occurred while they were lawfully on private property or in a public place. 
• Common Law Negligence (Dog Owner): You may also have a common law negligence claim against a dog owner in California. Under common law negligence in California a dog owner can be held liable if it is shown they failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent their dog from biting someone. Victims must demonstrate that the owner’s lack of care directly resulted in the injury which adds an additional layer of proof compared to strict liability. However, in some cases, additional financial compensation may be recovered by establishing negligence on the part of the dog owner. 
• Common Law Negligence (Third Party): Most dog bite injury claims are brought against dog owners. With that being said, other parties may potentially bear responsibility as well. California recognizes third party liability under the standard of common law negligence. A third part—such as a landlord, apartment complex, or pet boarding business—may be held liable if they were negligent in allowing a dangerous dog to remain on their property.

Proving Liability in a Dog Bite Case

California law provides a strict liability statute by which the dog owner will be found liable for injuries suffered by the individual who was “bitten by the dog while lawfully on private property or in a public place, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or whether the owner knew of such viciousness.”

In other words, if a dog bit and injured you while you were lawfully on the property where the incident occurred, the dog owner is liable. Documentation of your injuries is critical evidence that could prove both the dog owner’s liability and the extent of what you suffered, and could include:

• Medical record
• Photographs
• Witness statements

The dog owner might attempt to avoid liability by alleging you provoked the dog and that, therefore, they are not liable for your injuries. However, a skilled and knowledgeable dog bite attorney will investigate your case and gather the necessary evidence to build a robust case showing you did not provoke the attack and that the liability lies with the dog’s owner.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites? 

In California, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. This deadline is set by the state’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims. If you fail to file by this date with our dog bite attorneys, the judge will likely dismiss your lawsuit, and you will lose the opportunity to pursue the compensation you need in court. 

It is important to contact a dog bite attorney as soon as possible after the incident. Although two years may seem like a long time, your attorney needs this time to build a strong case on your behalf. During this time, your attorney will thoroughly investigate the incident, gather your medical records and bills upon your authorization, and demand the compensation you deserve. If your case does not settle, your attorney must file your lawsuit before the deadline expires. Be proactive: Consult with a Beverly Hills dog bite lawyer as soon as possible after a serious attack.

What Money Can You Receive in a Dog Bite Case? 

The amount of money you could recover after a dog bite case depends on the severity of the injury and your related financial losses. That said, your dog bite claim could cover the cost of your: 

• Past and future medical expenses 
• Lost wages 
• Pain and suffering 
• Emotional distress 
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement 

Does A Dog Owner’s Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

In most cases, dog bites are covered by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy. This is good news if you know the dog’s owner. Rather than having to compensate you out-of-pocket, the owner’s insurer will pick up the tab, minimizing any awkwardness that might come from litigation between friends or family members.

Remember that if the owner of the dog that attacked you does not have insurance covering dog bites (or your losses exceed the dog owner’s policy limits), you may still have options to seek the compensation you need. An experienced dog bite lawyer will review your case and evaluate whether filing a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner directly would be worthwhile. Your attorney will investigate whether you could ultimately collect the judgment awarded in court from the dog owner before advising you to file suit. 

Be Prepared for the Common Dog Bite Defenses in California

While California is a strict liability state for dog bite claims, that does not mean that liability for a dog bite in Beverly Hills is automatic. Injured victims should be prepared for a challenge from the defense (and the insurance company). Here are three of the most common defense raised against dog bite injury claims in California: 

1. Trespassing: If a person is bitten while trespassing on private property in California the dog owner may use this as a defense. The defense hinges on proving the victim did not have lawful right or invitation to be on the property. By successfully proving that the victim was trespassing at the time of the attack, a dog owner may defend the claim. 
2. Provocation: Provocation is another relatively common defense used by dog owners in bite cases in Beverly Hills. If an owner can demonstrate the dog was provoked into biting by the victim’s actions this may reduce or negate their liability.
3. Assumption of Risk: Finally, the defense may also try to rely on the “assumption of risk” doctrine. The assumption of risk defense applies when a victim voluntarily exposes themselves to a known hazard such as a dog known to be aggressive. The defense is often used when the victim was aware of the risk involved yet chose to interact with the dog anyway. For example, a dog owner in California is likely not strictly liable for an attack if the dog bites a veterinarian. There is a presumed assumption of risk.  

Why Depend on the Beverly Hills Dog Bite Injury Lawyers at Saeedian Law Group 

Dog bite injury claims can be exceptionally complex—especially if the victim was a child and/or if he or she suffered severe injuries. Even with California’s strict liability rule for dog owners, a lot of issues can arise. Insurance companies are not on the side of injured victims. At Saeedian Law Group, we fight hard for justice. Your best interests always take the priority. With millions of dollars in compensation recovered for injured victims across our personal injury practice areas, our case results tell the story of what we can do for dog bite victims. We are proactive. Along with other things, our Beverly Hills dog bite injury lawyers are prepared to: 

• Conduct a free, confidential review of your dog bite injury claim; 
• Investigate the dog attack—gathering evidence of what happened; 
• Handle the correspondence and settlement negotiations with insurers; and
• Develop a personalized strategy focused on getting justice and compensation.  

Dog Bite Injury Cases in Beverly Hills: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Certain Breeds of Dogs More Dangerous?

Yes. Some dog breeds are larger and some are more aggressive. With that being said, California law does not single out specific breeds in liability cases. All dog owners are held to the same standards regardless of the breed of their pet. 

Is a Dog Owner Liable for a Bite By an Unleashed Dog in California?

Very likely. In California, a dog owner is liable for any injuries caused by their unleashed dog in public areas where leash laws apply. The liability holds even if the dog has never shown aggression before. To be clear, a dog owner can bear legal responsibility (strict liability) even if the dog was leashed when it attacked an innocent person. 

When Can Third Parties Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite?

When their negligence contributes to the attack. Third parties in California may be held liable if they had control over the environment where the bite occurred and could have taken measures to prevent the attack. As these are complex cases, they should be thoroughly investigated by an experienced Beverly Hills, CA dog bite attorney. 

Is a Dog Owner Strictly Liable for Non-Bite Related Injuries?

No. In California, strict liability for dog owners typically applies only to bite injuries. Non-bite injuries, such as those resulting from a dog knocking someone over, may require proving negligence on the part of the owner. In other words, for non-bite injuries, the victim must demonstrate that the owner’s failure to exercise reasonable control over the animal contributed to their injuries. 

How Much Can I Expect to Recover in Dog Bite Injury Compensation?

It depends. Similar to other personal injury claims, dog bite cases are highly fact-specific. Compensation will vary based on a number of different factors, including damages. Dog bite victims in Beverly Hills may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent scarring, and mental distress. 

You Can Always Afford a Top-Tier Beverly Hills, CA Dog Bite Attorney

Our Beverly Hills dog bite injury attorneys at Saeedian Law Group handle a serious dog bite injury claims on a contingency fee basis. You do not have to worry about paying upfront costs, hourly bills, or other types of legal expenses. Our experienced dog bite attorneys are prepared to take on the entire risk of bringing your case. If you do not get paid through a settlement or verdict, our California dog bite lawyers will not get paid either. It is as simple as that. Our Beverly Hills, CA dog bite lawyers provide free, no obligation, and fully confidential initial consultation.

Discuss Your Dog Bite Claim with Saeedian Law Group Attorney

The California dog bite attorneys at Saeedian Law Group are committed to helping victims of dog bites in Beverly Hills. We have the skills and knowledge to handle your dog bite injury case effectively and efficiently, and the compassion and dedication to support you throughout the process until the dog bite settlement. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding dog bite accidents, and we can evaluate your dog bite case, gather evidence to prove the dog owner’s liability, and demand maximum compensation on your behalf on your personal injury claim. With an office in Beverly Hills, we fight for the rights of a dog bite victim throughout all of Southern California.