$3.0M
Vista dog bite settlement: a neighbor's dog slipped out and bit a person on the sidewalk, causing serious arm injuries. One owner acknowledged the dog got out.
Personal Injury
Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer
Were you or your child bitten by a dog in Los Angeles? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help you pursue compensation for medical bills, scarring, and trauma. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.
- $3B+RECOVERED
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Understanding Your Los Angeles Dog Bite Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that has represented thousands of injured Californians, including dog bite victims. Our attorneys identify every responsible party, handle each conversation with the owner's insurer, and build your case around your full medical and emotional recovery — all with personalized attention. There are no fees unless you get paid.
California is a strict-liability state for dog bites, meaning a dog owner is generally responsible for a bite even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. Under California Civil Code §3342, an owner is liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property, regardless of the animal's prior behavior. This differs from "one-bite" states, and a legal professional can review how it applies to your case.
Take these steps to protect your health and your claim: (1) seek medical attention immediately, as puncture wounds carry a high infection risk; (2) identify the dog's owner and get their contact and insurance information; (3) report the bite to Los Angeles County animal control; (4) photograph your injuries and the location; and (5) gather witness contacts before speaking with any insurer. Then speak with a dog bite lawyer before giving a recorded statement.
Dog bite victims in California can generally recover both economic and non-economic damages. These commonly include medical bills and future treatment, reconstructive and plastic surgery costs, lost income, scarring and disfigurement, and pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. Because children are frequent bite victims and injuries can be lifelong, a legal professional can review your losses during a free case review.
Dog bites often cause far more than surface wounds. The injuries we frequently see include deep puncture wounds, nerve and tissue damage, permanent scarring and disfigurement, infections, and lasting emotional trauma such as anxiety and PTSD. Severe cases may require reconstructive surgery over many years, which is why documenting the full extent of your injuries is central to your claim.
Meet Our Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorneys
Nationally Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Learn more about the team
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Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Philip Andonian, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. Guest, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.PartnerRecent wins
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$1.0M
West Covina dog bite settlement: at an apartment complex with a prior dog incident, a tenant's dog bit a visitor, causing serious injuries.
$501K
Los Angeles dog bite settlement: a dog at an off-leash dog park bit a visitor who was protecting their own pet from it, causing serious injuries.
$400K
San Diego dog bite settlement: a neighbor's dog bit an apartment resident, causing serious arm and leg injuries. Management had been warned about the dog, which had bitten before.
$365K
Encinitas dog bite settlement: during an inspection at a home, one of three dogs the homeowner had agreed to secure bit a worker, causing a leg injury.
$101K
Sacramento dog bite settlement: a large dog that escaped its owner's backyard bit a person, causing a traumatic brain injury and other serious head injuries.
*Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Do I Know If I Have a Dog Bite Claim in Los Angeles?
You generally have a valid dog bite claim if a dog bit you and you suffered damages — and in California you usually do not need to prove the owner was negligent. Under California's strict-liability statute (Civil Code §3342), a dog owner is typically liable when their dog bites you in a public place or while you are lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before. Damages include medical bills, scarring, lost income, and emotional trauma. Because deadlines and exceptions apply, contact Wilshire Law Firm's dog bite attorneys for a free case review.
Start Your Free Los Angeles Dog Bite Case Review
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Record-breaking results
Winners of #1 Settlements in California
Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.
17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements
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#1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement
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#1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement
2023
#1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement
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#1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement
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#1 Negligent Security Settlement
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#1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement
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#1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
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#1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement
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#1 Wrongful Termination Settlement
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#1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement
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*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Los Angeles Dog Bite FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
Yes. Civil Code § 3342 applies statewide, so a dog owner in Los Angeles is generally liable for a bite in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property, even for a first-time bite. You do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
A dog bite case arising in the city of Los Angeles is generally filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, often the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown, depending on where the bite occurred. Venue rules can vary. Your attorney can confirm the correct courthouse.
Los Angeles has heavy pedestrian foot traffic and many shared sidewalks and parks, where leashed and unleashed dogs frequently cross paths with people. That environment can raise the chance of bites and of negligence claims when an owner fails to control a dog off-leash. Strict liability still applies to any actual bite regardless of location.
Children are among the most common and most seriously injured bite victims, often on the face and neck. A parent or guardian can generally pursue a claim on the child's behalf, and California typically allows a minor extra time to bring their own claim. Because the timing rules differ for minors, confirm the deadlines with an attorney.
You generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit in California. The deadline can be shorter if a government entity is involved. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm yours promptly. If you were hurt while riding a bicycle, our Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers can help. Our firm also represents families in birth injury cases — learn more from our Los Angeles birth injury lawyers. Our Los Angeles office page has more about the communities we serve.