Do I Need a Lawyer After a Dog Bite in Studio City?
Studio City is a neighborhood with a lot of dogs. From morning walks along Ventura Blvd to hikes near Laurel Canyon and Coldwater Canyon, residents and their pets share sidewalks, parks, and public spaces throughout the neighborhood. Most of the time, this is perfectly safe. But when a dog attacks and bites someone, California's strict liability law makes the owner responsible, and a lawyer helps you enforce that right.
California's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
California Civil Code section 3342 makes dog owners strictly liable for bites that occur in a public place or while the victim was lawfully on private property. This means you do not need to prove that the dog had a history of aggression or that the owner was negligent. The bite itself creates liability. This is more favorable to victims than the law in many other states.
When You Need a Lawyer After a Studio City Dog Bite
You should contact a Studio City dog bite lawyer if any of the following are true.
Your injuries required medical treatment. Dog bites can cause deep tissue damage, nerve injury, scarring, infection, and psychological trauma. Emergency treatment, wound care, reconstructive surgery, and counseling all generate significant costs that should be covered by the dog owner's insurance.
The dog owner's insurer contacts you. Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies typically cover dog bite liability. The insurer's adjuster will move quickly to settle for as little as possible. Without an attorney, you are at a significant disadvantage in that negotiation.
You have visible scarring or disfigurement. Scarring and disfigurement are often the most valuable component of a dog bite claim because they are permanent, visible, and represent real long-term impact on your life. An attorney ensures these damages are fully valued.
You are a child. Dog bites are disproportionately severe for children, who are more likely to sustain facial injuries. Children's claims also involve a different statute of limitations timeline, and their damages for future impact are often higher.
What a Dog Bite Lawyer Does
Your attorney documents your injuries thoroughly, including medical records and photographs from the day of the bite through the end of your treatment. They identify and deal with the dog owner's insurance. They calculate all of your damages, including future treatment, scarring, and emotional distress. And they negotiate a settlement or file suit at Van Nuys Courthouse West if the insurance company's offer is inadequate.
LA County Animal Services maintains records of reported dog bites and prior incident history for specific animals. Your attorney will obtain those records, which can support your case and help establish the full picture of the owner's responsibility.
Contact L&F Brown's Studio City team for a free consultation after any dog bite injury. We work on contingency, so there is no cost unless we win.
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