Do I Need a Lawyer After a Dog Bite in Sherman Oaks?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional harm, and California is one of the most victim-friendly states when it comes to dog bite law. If you or someone in your family was bitten by a dog in Sherman Oaks, you likely have a strong legal claim, and a personal injury lawyer can help you pursue full compensation.

California's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

California Civil Code section 3342 makes dog owners strictly liable for bites that occur in public places or when the victim is lawfully in a private place. This means you do not need to prove that the dog had a history of biting or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. If the dog bit you, the owner is liable. Period.

This strict liability standard applies whether the bite happened at a Sherman Oaks park, on a sidewalk along Ventura Blvd, at a neighbor's home, or anywhere else in the area.

When a Lawyer Is Particularly Important

You should strongly consider hiring a Sherman Oaks dog bite lawyer if:

• Your injuries required medical treatment, including at Sherman Oaks Hospital at 4929 Van Nuys Blvd
• You suffered disfiguring wounds or scarring
• The bite caused a serious infection or nerve damage
• You are experiencing emotional distress, anxiety around dogs, or post-traumatic symptoms
• The dog owner is denying liability or their insurance is disputing your claim
• The bite happened to a child

Children are among the most common and most seriously injured dog bite victims because they are often at face and neck level with larger dogs. Child dog bite cases frequently involve significant disfigurement and psychological trauma, which warrant substantial compensation.

What Can You Recover?

Dog bite victims in Sherman Oaks may be entitled to:

• Medical expenses for emergency treatment, wound care, reconstructive surgery, and follow-up care
• Psychological treatment and counseling for trauma following the attack
• Lost wages if your injuries kept you from working
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement damages, which can be substantial depending on the location and severity of the wound

Where Does the Money Come From?

Most dog bite claims in Sherman Oaks are paid by the dog owner's homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance policy. These policies typically include personal liability coverage for dog bite incidents. Your attorney will identify the applicable policy and pursue the claim through that insurer.

Act Quickly

California gives you two years to file a dog bite lawsuit, but evidence is best gathered early. Identify the dog and its owner, report the bite to LA County Animal Control, and get medical care right away. Then contact L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks for a free consultation about your dog bite claim.