UCLA Law Trained Attorneys in Sherman Oaks
Every dog bite case starts the same way. The owner is shocked. They say the dog is usually gentle. They promise it has never happened before. Under California Civil Code Section 3342, none of that matters. California is a strict liability state for dog bites. If their dog bit you while you were lawfully present, the owner is liable for your injuries. No exceptions for "good" dogs.
Sherman Oaks is a densely populated area with a lot of dog owners and a lot of pedestrian foot traffic along Ventura Boulevard and in residential neighborhoods. That combination produces dog bite cases. Arya handles these claims by identifying the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, which almost always covers dog bite liability, and building a claim that accounts for the full cost of treatment, scarring, psychological impact, and future care. Sherman Oaks cases file at Van Nuys Courthouse West.
UCLA-Trained Attorneys, Not a Call Center
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and I've spent my career representing people who were hurt because someone else wasn't paying attention. I take these cases personally because I've watched families in this community deal with the aftermath of serious crashes. If you were injured, I want to hear what happened.
What Makes Your Case Different From Day One
The dangerous corridors, the trauma routing, the legal framework, and the deadlines that apply. Sherman Oaks has one of the highest injury collision rates in the Valley. Here is what that means for your case.
California's dog bite statute holds owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog biting someone in a public place or lawfully on private property. There is no "one free bite" defense. The owner is liable even if the dog has never shown aggression before.
California CCP §335.1 gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. Medical care and documentation must begin immediately — delayed treatment weakens the link between the bite and your injuries and gives insurers room to dispute severity.
Most Firms Will Take Your Case.
Few Will Actually Fight For It.
From the moment a claim is filed, the other side is building a case against yours. Adjusters document inconsistencies, make early offers designed to be accepted, and count on injured people to take less than they deserve. Most personal injury firms respond by loading up their docket: you get assigned to a paralegal, your calls go unanswered, and your case settles fast because the firm needs to move on.
We built L&F Brown differently.
- You talk to a founding partner. Not intake staff, not a junior associate. A UCLA-trained attorney who handles your case personally from first call to resolution.
- We limit our caseload on purpose. More cases means less attention. We take fewer so every client gets the time and resources their case actually requires.
- We don't settle until the number is right. Insurance companies know which firms fold early. We're not one of them, and they know it.
Evidence fades. Deadlines are real. The sooner you have an attorney building your case, the better your position. This is our personal commitment to every client we take on.
What We Know About Sherman Oaks That Affects Your Case
- Westfield Fashion Square:Corporate-owned regional mall with a professional liability team. Slip & fall and parking structure incidents here are routinely contested, and prior incident history at the property is critical evidence we request early.
- US-101 / I-405 interchange:One of the most congested freeway intersections in the country. Rear-end and lane-change crashes are frequent; fault in multi-vehicle incidents requires fast evidence preservation before footage disappears.
- Van Nuys Courthouse:Cases file at the Van Nuys Courthouse of LA County Superior Court. We know the local judges and how Sherman Oaks-area juries evaluate damages.
- Dense apartment stock:Sherman Oaks has substantial multi-unit residential development. Premises liability against property management companies is a recurring case type. These defendants operate very differently from individual homeowners.
- Sepulveda Blvd medical corridor:Multiple medical practices and outpatient facilities. We know which specialists produce injury documentation that holds up under cross-examination from insurance defense counsel.
Major Accidents in the Area
The 101/405 interchange and Ventura Boulevard create some of the worst traffic congestion in the Valley, with peak-hour gridlock a daily reality for Sherman Oaks residents. These conditions create dangerous merging zones and congested areas.
City surface streets like Ventura Boulevard, Van Nuys Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, Riverside Drive are hotspots for T-bone collisions, rear-end crashes, and pedestrian strikes, especially during rush hours and school drop-off/pick-up times.
We've helped victims injured in:
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) accidents near Westfield Fashion Square.
- Delivery vehicle collisions in residential zones like Chandler Estates, Magnolia Woods and Sherman Oaks Hills.
- School zone crashes near Sherman Oaks Elementary Charter and Notre Dame High School.
- Pedestrian accidents near Ventura Boulevard Corridor and Westfield Fashion Square.
- Dog Bites in the Sherman Oaks Hills and Van Nuys adjacent neighborhoods.
Cases We Handle
Dog bite claims in Sherman Oaks involve attacks on sidewalks, in apartment complexes, at dog-friendly businesses, and in residential front yards. The breed and size of the dog affect the severity, but not the owner's liability.
Direct Dog Bites
Puncture wounds, lacerations, and crush injuries — often requiring emergency care, surgery, and plastic surgery for scarring.
Knockdown Injuries
Dogs that jump on or knock down victims — fractures, TBI, and hip injuries are common, particularly in elderly victims.
Child Dog Bite Injuries
Children suffer disproportionately severe injuries from dog bites — facial scarring, PTSD, and lasting emotional harm are common.
Multiple-Attack Cases
When an owner's dog has a known history of aggression, prior incidents are powerful evidence of negligent restraint.
Service Worker Attacks
Mail carriers, delivery drivers, and service workers on legitimate business — lawfully on the property and protected by strict liability.
Off-Leash Park Attacks
Injuries at dog parks and public spaces — owner negligence and municipal duty of care issues.
Compensation Available in Your Case
Dog bite injuries often require more treatment than people expect. Wound care, antibiotics, plastic surgery, and therapy for emotional trauma are all compensable. Here is the full list.
Medical Expenses
Emergency treatment at Sherman Oaks Hospital, wound care, antibiotic regimens, plastic surgery for scarring, and therapy for emotional trauma from the attack.
Lost Wages
Income lost during recovery from your bite injuries. Severe bites that require surgery and rehabilitation can keep you out of work for an extended period.
Pain & Suffering
The pain of the bite wounds, the fear during the attack, and the lasting emotional effects. Anxiety about walking outside and fear of dogs are real, documented harms.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Permanent scarring from dog bites, particularly on the face, arms, and hands. The psychological impact of visible scarring adds to the non-economic damages.
Future Medical Costs
Ongoing scar revision, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy for tendon damage, and long-term PTSD treatment.
Punitive Damages
If the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's aggression, whether through previous bites, animal control complaints, or neighbor warnings, punitive damages apply.
Call us Today. No fee until you win!
818-224-7940What to Do After a Dog Bite
Dog bite injuries can be serious — infected, scarred, and emotionally traumatic. These steps protect your health and your legal claim.
Get to safety and call 911
Call 911 and report the bite to LA Animal Services. An official investigation creates a critical record for your claim.
Seek emergency medical care
Get to Sherman Oaks Hospital or the closest ER. Dog bites carry high infection risk and deep tissue damage that isn't always obvious at first.
Photograph injuries immediately
Time-stamped photographs of every wound before treatment. Also photograph the scene, the dog if safely possible, and any blood on your clothing.
Identify the dog and owner
Get the owner's full name, address, and phone number, plus the dog's breed and vaccination records. Neighbors and nearby business employees can help if the owner is uncooperative.
Contact L&F Brown
Arya Firoozmand represents Sherman Oaks dog bite victims and files claims against the owner's homeowners' insurance. California law holds owners strictly liable for bites, period.
Recent Results, Personal Injury
Past outcomes don't guarantee future results, but they show what's possible when evidence is preserved and all defendants are pursued.
Auto versus government entity settlement.
Slip and fall at major retailer.
Slip and fall at major retailer.
Complex auto vs auto case.
Not only was Arya easy to communicate with, incredibly intelligent with how he planned to achieve the goals, but he was also very warm and caring. I really enjoyed working with Arya. Warm, ethical, and intelligent is a great combo!
I cannot recommend L&F Brown highly enough. From the start of my case they were professional, talked me through the process and genuinely cared about my situation and concerns. My case went far longer than any of us expected, and I was ready to just accept the first settlement, but Arya and Curt fought to get me what I was entitled to. All in all, they went above and beyond at every step and I felt supported throughout my experience with them.
My husband was involved in a car accident back in February, and now that everything has been resolved, I just wanted to say how grateful we are for this amazing team. Everyone was incredibly kind, organized, and easy to communicate with. They always kept us updated, answered every question we had, and made sure we understood what was happening every step of the way. Having someone we could trust took so much stress off our shoulders during an already difficult time.
75+
Years Legal Experience
6,000+
Clients Served
One
Case at a Time