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California's dog bite law is among the strictest in the country, owners are liable even if their dog has never bitten before. L&F Brown helps victims recover medical costs, lost wages, and compensation for scarring and psychological trauma.
Attorney of the Year — California Lawyers Association No fee until we winDog owners are liable for bites in public places or when a person is lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before. No "one bite rule" in California.
Even if the dog was on a leash, strict liability still applies in most cases. The owner cannot escape responsibility by claiming they were being careful.
Most standard homeowner's and renter's insurance policies include liability coverage for dog bites. You are dealing with a professional insurance adjuster, not just a neighbor.
The standard 2-year statute of limitations is tolled for minors, a child bitten at age 8 generally has until age 20 to file a claim. Acting promptly is still better for evidence.
Dog attacks cause a wide range of physical and emotional harm. The damages you are entitled to depend on the full extent of your injuries, including those not immediately visible.
Deep tissue damage from bites that may require surgery and leave permanent scarring, particularly on hands and arms.
Children are frequently bitten on the face, causing permanent scarring or disfigurement that may require reconstructive surgery.
Bites to hands, arms, and face can sever nerves, causing permanent loss of sensation or function.
Dog bites carry serious risk of bacterial infection including Pasteurella and MRSA. Treatment can be prolonged and expensive.
Dog attacks, especially those involving children, frequently cause lasting PTSD, anxiety, and fear that requires professional treatment.
The steps you take in the hours after a dog attack directly affect your ability to recover full compensation, especially for infection, scarring, and psychological trauma.
Dog bites carry serious infection risk. Go to an emergency room or urgent care even if the wound seems minor.
Report to LA County Animal Control or your local agency. An official report protects you and helps establish the dog's vaccination history.
Get the owner's name, address, and contact information. Ask about the dog's vaccination record and local registration.
Photograph bite wounds immediately and throughout your recovery to document the healing process and any permanent scarring.
Keep any clothing damaged during the attack. Save all medical records, bills, and correspondence with the dog owner.
We identify applicable insurance coverage, deal directly with the insurer, and build the strongest possible claim on your behalf.
Bitten by a Dog in Los Angeles?
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Most dog bite claims go through the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, you're dealing with a professional adjuster, not a neighbor. We know how to handle that conversation, and we know what the claim is actually worth.
Not only was Arya easy to communicate with, incredibly intelligent with how he planned to achieve the goals, but he was also very warm and caring. I really enjoyed working with Arya. Warm, ethical, and intelligent is a great combo!
I cannot recommend L&F Brown highly enough. From the start of my case they were professional, talked me through the process and genuinely cared about my situation and concerns. My case went far longer than any of us expected, and I was ready to just accept the first settlement, but Arya and Curt fought to get me what I was entitled to. All in all, they went above and beyond at every step and I felt supported throughout my experience with them.
My husband was involved in a car accident back in February, and now that everything has been resolved, I just wanted to say how grateful we are for this amazing team. Everyone was incredibly kind, organized, and easy to communicate with. They always kept us updated, answered every question we had, and made sure we understood what was happening every step of the way. Having someone we could trust took so much stress off our shoulders during an already difficult time.
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California dog bite victims may recover both economic damages and significant non-economic damages, including for scarring and psychological trauma.
Emergency treatment, wound care, surgery, reconstructive procedures, and future medical costs.
Income lost during treatment and recovery, especially relevant when bites to the hands or arms prevent you from performing your work duties.
Compensation for visible scars, particularly on the face or hands.
Physical pain from the bite itself, plus the ongoing emotional distress and fear of dogs that commonly follows a serious attack.
Treatment costs and damages for PTSD, anxiety, and fear resulting from the attack.
If nerve damage or permanent injury affects your ability to work.
L&F Brown handles these cases across the San Fernando Valley and Conejo Valley, with attorneys who know the local roads, courts, and insurance tactics in each community.
