Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer

Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney

Dogs are popular pets in California and across the United States, widely regarded as man’s best friend. While most people living in the Los Angeles area are fortunate to regularly have positive interactions with dogs, it is vital for everyone to know that any dog can potentially inflict severe injuries. Even dogs with no known history of aggression can inflict tremendous harm with their bites, and large dogs are capable of knocking victims to the ground, causing further damage.

Experienced Legal Representation for Dog Bite Claims in Los Angeles, CA

An experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney can help resolve any such incident you or a family member recently experienced. It’s technically possible to pursue compensation on your own, and there is no strict requirement for you to hire legal counsel, but the right attorney can be an invaluable asset if you intend to pursue any type of civil claim against the owner of the dog that injured you.

Los Angeles Dog Bites

The attorneys at Easton & Easton have successfully represented many personal injury claims in Los Angeles, including those pertaining to dog attacks. These incidents can be damaging and highly traumatic, and some victims may not immediately realize the scope of the harm done to them until some time after their attacks. State law is quite clear when it comes to liability for dog attacks, placing strict liability on dog owners whose pets harm others regardless of the dog’s history. However, the actual process of filing a civil suit and pursuing accountability can be more challenging than the average person might expect. Having legal counsel that you can trust on your side is an invaluable asset for whatever your dog bite claim entails.

Advantages of Hiring Legal Counsel for Your Dog Bite Claim

It is technically possible for a personal injury plaintiff to file a civil suit on their own, as California law does not require them to hire legal representation to help them with their case. Many people who suffer personal injuries assume legal representation to be prohibitively expensive, and this, unfortunately, discourages many people from seeking legal counsel when they need it most. Do not make the mistake of assuming that your case wouldn’t yield enough compensation to be worth the trouble of filing it, and do not assume that you could succeed with your claim on your own.

The right attorney can make every aspect of your impending personal injury case easier to manage; you will also be more likely to maximize your recovery with their assistance. Instead of trying to meet court filing deadlines and other procedural requirements of your case while also managing your medical needs in recovery, your attorney can handle these legal affairs so you can rest and recover with peace of mind. Additionally, your attorney can not only streamline your case proceedings and shorten the time it takes you to receive the compensation you are legally owed but also potentially uncover some types of compensation you did not know were available to you.

The attorneys at Easton & Easton approach every personal injury case we accept with the objective of maximizing our client’s total compensation as fully as the law allows. We can meet with you and help you understand the various damages you can claim from the defendant and assist you in collecting whatever evidence you may need to firmly assert strict liability for the dog attack you recently experienced. After filing your personal injury case, we will seek a settlement if possible, but if litigation is necessary to resolve your case, you can rely on our team for the ongoing representation needed to navigate your proceedings as efficiently as possible. Ultimately, every personal injury plaintiff will face different challenges as they seek compensation for their damages, but every plaintiff benefits from having legal counsel they can trust on their side.

Understanding the Strict Liability Rule for Dog Attacks

Every state has different laws in place to address dog bites. While some states enforce one-bite rules that effectively give dog owners one chance to avoid liability for injuries their pets cause, California does not have any such statutes in place. Strict liability applies in dog bite claims, meaning a dog owner is fully liable for all damages their pet inflicts on someone else, regardless of whether the dog has any known history of aggression or past attacks. Dog owners are expected to control their pets at all times, and the strict liability rule asserts that if a dog bites someone, the owner is negligent in their handling of the dog.

There are only two legal prerequisites that must be met in a dog bite case for strict liability to apply. First, the victim must not have provoked the attack. Dogs are protective of their owners and families, and if the victim was aggressive with the dog’s owner in any way, the dog is likely to respond defensively. Dogs are also expected to defend themselves, so a person who intentionally abuses another person’s dog cannot sue the dog’s owner if the dog bites to defend itself.

Second, the victim must have been lawfully present wherever the attack occurred. This could be public property or private property with the property owner’s permission to enter the premises. A trespasser or burglar could not assert strict liability if they illegally enter someone else’s property and the property owner’s dog attacks them.

If you are unsure whether strict liability applies to your case, you need to consult a Los Angeles dog bite attorney as soon as possible. They can assist you in gathering any evidence needed to ensure your claim meets the definition of strict liability so you can hold the dog owner appropriately accountable for the damages their pet caused.

Claiming Compensation for a Dog Attack in Los Angeles

After your attorney has helped you assert strict liability for your dog attack, you can proceed with claiming compensation for the losses you suffered. The total value of a personal injury case depends on the severity of the plaintiff’s damages, the scope of long-term or permanent harm the plaintiff suffered, and other factors. Generally, the plaintiff in a personal injury claim will seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages they incurred from the incident.

Economic damages are relatively straightforward and proven with the appropriate documentation. These are the direct financial losses incurred by the plaintiff from their dog attack:

  • A plaintiff has the right to seek compensation for all medical care they require to fully heal from their injuries. Dog attacks may involve damaging bites, deep scratches, and injuries from the victim hitting the ground. The owner of the dog that attacked you is liable for both immediate and future medical expenses you incur from the attack. For example, you can hold the defendant accountable for your hospital bills and other immediate medical expenses, but you could also seek compensation for the cost of future rehabilitative care you will need to reach full recovery.
  • When a plaintiff is left unable to work and earn income due to the severity of their injuries, the defendant is liable for the income they lose during their recovery. You can hold the defendant accountable for your lost wages, and if you suffered any serious harm that will prevent you from working and earning income in the future, they are liable for these unrealized damages as well. Your Los Angeles dog bite attorney could help prove how much income you would have reasonably expected to earn in the future if you hadn’t been injured.
  • When a dog has damaged the plaintiff’s property in any way, the plaintiff can add repair and replacement costs to their personal injury claim as economic damages.

Your Los Angeles dog bite attorney can be extremely helpful when it comes to accurately calculating the full extent of the economic losses you can include in your personal injury claim. You could be entitled to recover more than you initially realize, but beyond your economic losses, you will also have the right to seek compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced.

Claiming Pain and Suffering Compensation in a Dog Bite Case

Any dog attack can not only cause painful injuries, but the experience itself can be highly traumatic for the victim. They could experience adverse mental health symptoms and long-term physical complications from their injury. If this applies to your situation, your Los Angeles dog bite attorney can assist you with claiming pain and suffering compensation from the defendant. The state does not place a limit on pain and suffering in dog bite claims, so this could potentially amount to more compensation than the total of your claimed economic damages.

Los Angeles attorneys typically determine appropriate pain and suffering compensation for their clients by assessing the scope and severity of the injuries they suffered and the time it will take for them to fully heal. When a plaintiff is expected to make a full recovery in the near future, their attorney might seek pain and suffering compensation to reflect the time it takes them to reach maximum medical improvement from their injuries. Alternatively, when a plaintiff has suffered catastrophic injuries and faces long-term or permanent disability, their attorney may opt to seek a large lump sum of pain and suffering compensation on their behalf.

Resolving Your Dog Bite Claim in Los Angeles

Other factors may also come into play in a dog bite case or other personal injury case, complicating the victim’s path to recovery. For example, the state upholds a pure comparative negligence law, meaning a plaintiff can face diminished compensation if they share liability for causing their damages. If a plaintiff is assigned any percentage of fault for causing the incident, this percentage is deducted from their case award.

Conversely, a plaintiff may receive more compensation if the defendant was egregiously negligent in the handling of their dog or coerced their dog to attack the victim intentionally. These could be considered criminal acts, and if a defendant in a personal injury case is criminally charged, the plaintiff may receive punitive damages or restitution on top of their claimed losses. Ultimately, many variables could come into play and complicate a dog bite case, and having legal counsel you can trust on your side makes it easier to address these variables effectively.

When you hire Easton & Easton as your Los Angeles dog bite attorneys, we will do everything we can to streamline your proceedings, helping you reach a timely and acceptable settlement with the defendant. However, we are fully prepared to represent you in a trial if your case needs to be resolved through litigation.

Our firm believes in client-focused legal representation. This means we will listen to your story and take time to understand the scope of the effects your recent experience has had on your life. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions to personal injury cases, and every plaintiff needs reliable legal counsel to navigate their case effectively. Time is a critical concern for anyone struggling in the aftermath of a dog attack in Los Angeles. You have a limited window in which to file a civil suit, and working quickly to connect with the legal counsel you can trust helps to preserve the freshness of the evidence you will need to maximize your case award. Easton & Easton can provide the compassionate and responsive legal representation you need to reach the optimal outcome for your recovery efforts after a dog attack in Los Angeles.

Dog Bite Lawyer FAQs

Q: What Happens to a Dog After It Bites Someone in Los Angeles?

A: California law requires any dog that injures a person through a bite or serious scratch to be quarantined for 10 days. This is to ensure the dog does not have any communicable diseases and to verify that the dog is not a danger to others. In most cases, the dog is returned to its owner after the quarantine review concludes it is safe to do so. However, if the dog is excessively aggressive or has a serious infection that could pose a public health risk, a judge may order the dog to be euthanized.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Los Angeles?

A: There is a two-year statute of limitations for dog bite claims and other personal injury claims in the state. This means you must file your claim within two years of the date of the attack, or you lose the right to claim compensation from the defendant. It takes time to compile a civil suit and thoroughly review the various damages you can claim, so it is generally advised for personal injury clients to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after their injuries. Swift legal action preserves vital evidence and ensures the plaintiff meets applicable filing deadlines.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Win From a Dog Bite Lawsuit?

A: California’s strict liability rule states that the dog owner is fully responsible for all damages their pet inflicted. You have the right to claim compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and your pain and suffering. When you have suffered serious injuries, you may have grounds to claim compensation for your future damages, such as ongoing medical treatment costs and lost earning power. An experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney is the ideal resource to consult to determine the total potential value of your claim.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Claim in Los Angeles?

A: Settling your personal injury case may only take a few weeks if the defendant’s fault is clear and you have an experienced attorney representing you. Settlement allows all parties involved to resolve their dispute as quickly as possible, avoiding the time required for litigation. However, if a defendant refuses to settle or if settlement is not possible for any other reason, litigation will be necessary. This can take several months to more than a year to complete in some cases.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney?

A: When you are already struggling with expensive damages from a personal injury, it is natural to have concerns about how much it may cost to file your civil suit. Hiring an experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney can significantly improve your chances of winning maximum compensation for your damages, and with Easton & Easton, you will not need to worry about upfront or ongoing legal fees. We take personal injury cases with a contingency fee agreement, only collecting compensation once we win our client’s case. Additionally, our fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered for the client, and they keep the rest.

The attorneys at Easton & Easton know how traumatic a dog attack can be and the various damages the victim might suffer. If you or a family member is recovering from a dog attack and believe you have grounds to file a civil suit against the dog owner, it’s crucial to connect with a Los Angeles dog bite attorney you can trust to handle your claim. Contact Easton & Easton today to schedule your consultation with our team and learn more about the legal services we can provide for your dog bite case.

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Nation's Premier Top Ten Attorney Personal Injury

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Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.

Jeffrey N.

I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!

Mark B.

They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.

Vamsi P.

Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.

They are the BEST!

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I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.

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I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way

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The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!

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