If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, a Los Angeles dog bite attorney from Megeredchian Law can fight for your rights and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Our experienced legal team can seek maximum recovery for your medical bills, treatments, vaccines, lost wages from missed workdays, pain and suffering, and more. We’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars for thousands of clients in Los Angeles and across California.

The process is fast and simple: call us 24/7 at (866) 359-0807 for a free consultation. One of our experts will review your case within minutes. If you qualify for compensation, a dedicated Los Angeles dog bite attorney will start working on your claim immediately. You pay nothing out of pocket — and if we don’t win, you don’t pay us.

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How a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney Can Help You

Dog bites and other animal attacks are treated as personal injury  cases under California law. A Los Angeles dog bite attorney can evaluate all your damages and build a strong legal strategy to pursue the compensation you deserve — especially for injuries or complications that may not be immediately visible, such as infections, nerve damage, or emotional trauma.

Because a dog bite can cause far more than surface wounds, your attorney can help you claim compensation for medical expenses, reconstructive treatment, lost income, emotional distress, and long-term physical or psychological effects resulting from the attack.

Where to Get Legal Help for Dog Bite Compensation Claims in California

If you’re wondering where to get legal help for dog bite compensation claims in California, Megeredchian Law has experienced attorneys ready to assist you across the state. You can find our headquarters near Los Angeles at:

350 N Glenoaks Blvd 3rd floor, Burbank, CA 91501

Contact us 24/7 at (866) 359-0807.

Find a dog bite lawyer near you in the following California locations:

What to Do After a Dog Bite

There are three essential steps to follow immediately after suffering a dog bite in California:

1. Get medical treatment right away

Seek immediate medical attention to clean and assess your wounds, prevent infections such as rabies or tetanus, and obtain an official medical record. These records will be key evidence in your legal claim.

2. Collect as much evidence as possible.

Take clear photos and videos of your injuries, the location, and the dog involved. If possible, gather witness statements and contact information. If the dog owner cooperates, request their name, address, and insurance details. You can also report the incident to Animal Control or local law enforcement.

3. Call a dog bite attorney in Los Angeles.

Don’t delay your claim or discuss your case with an insurance representative before speaking to a lawyer. Call (866) 359-0807 to speak directly with an experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney who can protect your rights and help you pursue full compensation.

 

What Not to Do After a Dog Bite

  • Delay medical treatment. Waiting too long can worsen injuries and weaken your claim.
  • Accept quick settlements from insurers. Insurance companies often offer low settlements before the full extent of your injuries is known.
  • Sign any documents or releases without legal advice — they may limit your right to further compensation.
  • Argue with or threaten the dog owner. Always let your attorney or the authorities handle communications.
  • Post about the attack on social media. Defense attorneys or insurers can use your posts to question your injuries or credibility.
  • Ignore reporting requirements. In California, dog bites that cause injury must be reported to Animal Control or local health authorities.

Who Pays for My Injuries After a Dog Attack?

In California, the dog owner is the primary liable party when their pet attacks or bites someone. Under California Civil Code §3342, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs — even if the animal had never bitten anyone before or shown signs of aggression. 

This means that you do not need to prove negligence; it’s enough to show that the bite occurred in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property. In most cases, the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will cover the victim’s medical expenses, lost income, and other damages related to the incident.

However, other parties may also share liability depending on the circumstances. A landlord could be held responsible if they knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to remove or restrain it, while a property manager or business owner might face liability for allowing a known aggressive dog on their premises.

 Likewise, dog walkers, sitters, or caretakers can be held accountable if their negligence — such as ignoring leash laws or failing to control the dog — directly contributed to the attack.

How to Prove Negligence in Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits

Although California’s strict liability law does not require victims to prove negligence in most dog bite cases, showing that the owner or another party acted negligently can strengthen your claim — especially when seeking non-bite damages such as those from being knocked down, chased, or attacked without an actual bite. 

To prove negligence, your attorney must show that the responsible party owed a duty of care, breached that duty (for example, by failing to leash or restrain the dog), and that this failure directly caused your injuries and losses. Evidence like witness statements, surveillance footage, medical records, and prior complaints about the dog can help establish this connection.

Negligence may also apply when others besides the owner contributed to the attack. A landlord who ignored previous reports of an aggressive dog, a dog sitter who failed to control the animal, or a business owner who allowed pets in unsafe areas could all be held liable. A skilled Los Angeles dog bite attorney can help collect and present the necessary evidence to prove each party’s negligence, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation allowed by California law.

Dog Bite Compensation Claim Step by Step

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes only and not legal advice. Time limits apply — most dog bite cases in California must be filed within two years, or six months if a public agency is involved. Always consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation.

1. Consultation and Case Acceptance

Your first step is to contact a Los Angeles dog bite attorney for a free consultation. The Los Angeles dog bite lawyer reviews your case under California Civil Code §3342 to confirm strict liability, evaluates potential damages, and explains the process. If your claim is accepted, you sign a contingency agreement — meaning you pay nothing unless your lawyer wins.

Your attorney immediately starts gathering medical reports, photos, witness statements, and Animal Control records. They also identify all possible liable parties (dog owner, caretaker, landlord, etc.) and confirm available insurance coverage.

You’ll receive or continue treatment for your injuries, while your lawyer tracks medical bills, lost wages, and long-term effects such as scarring or trauma. This documentation is crucial for calculating your total compensation.

Once your medical condition stabilizes, your attorney prepares a formal demand letter including evidence, damages, and legal arguments. They negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement. If negotiations fail, your attorney files a lawsuit before the legal deadline.

When a settlement is reached, the insurer issues the funds to your attorney’s trust account. Medical liens and legal fees are paid, and you receive your compensation check along with a full accounting of the payout.

How Much is a Dog Bite Lawsuit Worth​ in California?

In California, the value of a dog bite lawsuit varies widely based on the severity of the injuries and their long-term consequences. 

Minor bite cases may settle between $15,000 and $40,000, while serious attacks involving deep wounds, infection, nerve damage, or permanent scarring often reach $100,000 to $250,000 or more. 

When a dog attack results in death, the victim’s family may file a wrongful death claim, which can exceed $500,000 to several million dollars depending on factors such as loss of income, funeral expenses, and emotional suffering. Cases involving children or permanent disfigurement tend to receive the highest compensation due to their lifelong impact.

Disclaimer: These figures are only general estimates based on recent California settlements and verdicts. Every case is unique, and compensation depends on the specific evidence, insurance coverage, and severity of losses. Always consult a licensed Los Angeles dog bite lawyer for a personalized case evaluation.

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What Types of Injuries are Commonly Caused by Dog Bites?

  • Puncture Wounds: Deep bites can penetrate skin and muscle, leading to bleeding, infection, and lasting sensitivity around the wound.
  • Lacerations and Tearing: Dogs often shake or pull during an attack, causing skin tearing and extensive tissue damage that may require stitches or reconstructive surgery.
  • Disfigurement and Scarring: Severe bites—especially to the face, neck, or hands—can leave permanent scars or deformities, often requiring cosmetic or plastic surgery.
  • Infections (Including Rabies or MRSA): Dog bites can introduce bacteria that cause cellulitis, abscesses, or life-threatening infections if not treated immediately.
  • Nerve Damage: When a bite affects areas near nerves, it can result in numbness, weakness, or chronic pain, sometimes requiring long-term therapy.
  • Fractures and Crush Injuries: Powerful bites from large dogs can break bones or crush soft tissue, particularly in limbs or smaller body parts like fingers.
  • Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Victims, especially children, may develop PTSD, anxiety, or fear of dogs, often requiring counseling or psychological treatment.
  • Wrongful Death: In severe attacks, particularly those involving small children or older adults, the injuries may be fatal, allowing families to pursue a wrongful death claim under California law.

What are the Levels of Dog Bites?

Dog bite injuries are often classified using the Dunbar Bite Scale, which helps determine the severity of the attack and the necessary medical and legal response.

  • Level 1 – Aggressive behavior without skin contact: the dog snaps or growls but causes no physical injury.
  • Level 2 – Skin contact without puncture: the teeth touch or lightly scratch the skin, leaving only superficial marks or bruises.
  • Level 3 – One to four shallow punctures: the bite breaks the skin, but the wounds are not deep; infections and minor scarring are possible.
  • Level 4 – Deep punctures or tearing: the dog bites and holds or shakes, causing deep wounds, muscle damage, or significant bleeding.
  • Level 5 – Multiple bites with severe injury: the victim suffers repeated deep bites causing disfigurement, fractures, or nerve damage — often requiring surgery.
  • Level 6 – Fatal attack: the bite results in the death of the victim, either immediately or from complications. These cases typically lead to wrongful death claims and potential criminal liability for the owner.

Can You Claim Compensation for all The Levels?

Yes — in California, you can claim compensation for any level of dog bite injury, but the amount and type of damages depend on the severity of the incident.

Under California Civil Code §3342, dog owners are strictly liable for all bite-related injuries, even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. That means you can file a claim regardless of the level, as long as the bite (or attempted bite that caused harm) happened in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property.

  • For Levels 1–2, you may recover costs for medical evaluation, emotional distress, and minor scarring or trauma.

  • For Levels 3–5, compensation can include hospital bills, reconstructive surgery, lost wages, therapy, and long-term pain or disfigurement.

  • For Level 6 (fatal attacks), surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim, seeking damages for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and loss of financial support.

Even lower-level bites can justify compensation if they cause infection, psychological trauma, or lasting scars — all of which California courts recognize as legitimate damages. A Los Angeles dog bite attorney can evaluate your case and pursue maximum recovery for your specific injuries.

Dog Bite Statistics in Los Angeles

  • From 2009 through 2011, there were 26,169 animal-to-human bite reports, of which 23,103 (88 %) were dog-related (bite incidents) in Los Angeles County.
  • In that same study period, the peak month for bites was July, accounting for about 10 % of all reported bites.
  • According to the county’s bite-prevention program, the county receives over 9,000 animal bite reports each year, many of which are dog bites.
  • On a city-level scale in California, the city of Los Angeles is listed with about 1,250 dog-bite cases per 100,000 residents, placing it among the highest-rate cities in the state.
  • Recent national-insurance data suggests that California leads in dog-bite damage claims, with the average cost per claim in California noted at around $51,264.

The Problem with Postal Workers and Dog Attacks in Los Angeles

According to a Los Angeles Times article published in May 2025, California — and particularly Los Angeles — leads the nation in dog bite attacks against postal workers. Another CBS report released the same month also highlights a rise in dog attacks involving USPS employees. Out of the top 10 U.S. cities for dog attacks in 2024, Los Angeles ranked first and San Diego ninth.

If you’re a postal worker attacked by a dog in California, you may be eligible to claim compensation for your injuries. USPS employees are generally covered under federal workers’ compensation, but they can also pursue additional claims under California’s strict liability law if the dog owner is not the government. 

This means you could recover damages for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma directly from the dog’s owner or their insurance company. A Los Angeles dog bite attorney can help coordinate both claims — ensuring you receive full benefits through the federal system while pursuing civil compensation from the responsible party.

Hire a Local Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney

If you’re looking for a dog bite attorney in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, Megeredchian Law is your best choice. Our team has the experience, dedication, and legal expertise needed to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Call us today at (866) 359-0807 to schedule your free consultation.

Results Matter!

We are selective about the volume of cases and the type of cases we undertake. This ensures our client’s case gets the attention it needs so results are achieved. Big firms with big case volumes means your case gets lost with the thousand others. Results matter, experience the difference by retaining our firm and let us exceed your expectations.

Our clients are not just “clients,” we treat everyone like family with compassion and the utmost care.

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