Do You Need a Lawyer After a Dog Bite in Van Nuys?
You were bitten by a dog in Van Nuys. Maybe it happened while you were walking on a residential street off Victory Blvd. Maybe a neighbor's dog got loose in your apartment building. Maybe a dog lunged at you in the parking lot of a business on Sepulveda Blvd. However it happened, you're dealing with a painful injury and you're wondering if you need a lawyer or if you can handle this on your own.
The answer depends on how badly you were hurt and whether the owner is being cooperative. Here's the honest breakdown.
California's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
California is a strict liability state for dog bites, which is important to understand before you decide whether you need an attorney. Under Civil Code Section 3342, a dog owner is liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog had any history of aggression and regardless of whether the owner was negligent. If their dog bit you in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property, the owner is liable. Period.
This is different from many states that follow a "one bite" rule, where the owner is only liable if they knew the dog was dangerous. In California, prior knowledge doesn't matter. The dog bit you, the owner pays. This strict liability standard makes dog bite claims in Van Nuys stronger than many other types of injury claims because the liability question is usually settled by the statute itself.
When You Probably Don't Need a Lawyer
If the bite was minor, you cleaned and bandaged it at home, and there was no medical treatment beyond basic first aid, the claim value is low enough that hiring an attorney may not add practical value. If the dog owner is cooperative, admits ownership, and their homeowner's or renter's insurance is responsive, you may be able to resolve a small claim on your own.
When You Almost Certainly Do
You needed medical treatment. If you went to Valley Presbyterian Hospital's emergency room, needed stitches, antibiotics, or wound care, or if you're seeing a specialist for nerve damage, tendon injury, or infection, the medical costs make the claim substantial enough to warrant representation. Dog bites are prone to infection, and treatment costs can escalate quickly.
The bite caused scarring or disfigurement. Facial bites, deep puncture wounds, and lacerations that leave scars have significant pain and suffering value beyond the medical bills. Scarring cases, especially on visible areas of the body, produce higher settlements. These cases benefit significantly from attorney involvement.
A child was bitten. Children are the most common victims of serious dog bites. If your child was bitten in a Van Nuys neighborhood, at a park, or at a friend's home, the injuries are often more severe and the emotional trauma more lasting. Claims involving children require careful handling to protect the minor's interests.
The dog owner is uncooperative or denying responsibility. If the owner claims you provoked the dog, denies owning the dog, or refuses to provide insurance information, you need an attorney to investigate, document, and pursue the claim. Some owners get aggressive when confronted about their dog's behavior.
The dog owner doesn't have insurance. Not every dog owner in Van Nuys has homeowner's or renter's insurance that covers dog bites. If the owner is uninsured, recovering compensation requires different strategies that an attorney can navigate.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Van Nuys
Get medical care immediately. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection, including pasteurella, MRSA, and in rare cases, rabies. Go to Valley Presbyterian Hospital or urgent care the same day. Let them know it was an animal bite so they can administer appropriate antibiotics and assess whether a rabies prophylaxis is needed.
Report the bite to LA County Animal Control. Dog bites must be reported to the Department of Animal Care and Control. They will quarantine the dog for 10 days to observe for rabies. The quarantine order also creates an official record of the bite, which is evidence for your claim. Call LA County Animal Control or file a report online. The responding officer will document the dog, the owner, and the circumstances.
Document your injuries. Photograph the bite wounds immediately and at regular intervals as they heal. Photographs showing the severity of the wound, swelling, bruising, stitches, and scarring are critical evidence.
Get the owner's information. Name, address, phone number, and homeowner's or renter's insurance information. If the bite happened at the owner's property, note the address. If it happened in public, get a description of the dog and any information about where the owner lives.
A Van Nuys dog bite attorney can handle the insurance claim, negotiate with the owner's insurer, and file a lawsuit at the Van Nuys Courthouse on Sylmar Ave if the insurer won't offer fair compensation.
What Compensation Is Available
Dog bite claims in California can include medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, antibiotics, follow-up treatment), lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and compensation for scarring or disfigurement. The value depends on injury severity, treatment duration, and the visibility and permanence of any scarring.
Dog bite settlements in LA County range from $15,000 for moderate bites requiring stitches and antibiotics to $250,000 or more for severe attacks involving surgery, permanent scarring, or attacks on children.
The Decision Is Straightforward
If the bite was minor and the owner is cooperative, you can probably handle it yourself. If you needed medical treatment, if there's scarring, if a child was involved, or if the owner is being difficult, talk to an attorney. The consultation is free and gives you a professional assessment.
California's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
California Civil Code Section 3342 makes dog owners strictly liable for bite injuries. This means you do not have to prove the owner was negligent or knew the dog was dangerous. If the dog bit you while you were lawfully in a public place or lawfully on private property (including the owner's property), the owner is liable. Period.
This is a stronger legal standard than many states, which require proof that the owner knew the dog had aggressive tendencies. In Van Nuys, strict liability means your case starts from a position of strength. The owner cannot argue that the dog had never bitten anyone before or that they had no reason to expect the dog to bite.
The most common defense in California dog bite cases is provocation. If the owner can show that you provoked the dog, they may reduce or eliminate their liability. Provocation requires more than simply petting or approaching the dog. It typically involves intentional teasing, hitting, or other conduct that would cause a reasonable dog to react aggressively.
Dog bite injuries treated at Valley Presbyterian Hospital often include deep puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, and infections. Dog mouths carry bacteria that can cause serious infections requiring antibiotics and sometimes surgical debridement. Facial bites may require plastic surgery. Children are particularly vulnerable to dog bite injuries and often suffer more severe physical and emotional trauma. If litigation becomes necessary, your case would be heard at Van Nuys Courthouse on Sylmar Ave.
L&F Brown represents dog bite victims across Van Nuys. Visit our Van Nuys personal injury page or call us. No fees unless we recover for you.
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