From Hollywood to world-class shopping to fine dining, Los Angeles has something for everyone. And with that many people comes a sizable number of man’s best friends. But a dog bite can quickly change this California paradise into a nightmare.
If you’ve been attacked or bitten by a dog in Los Angeles, here are our top picks for the best dog bite attorneys to represent you in court.
- Best Dog Bite Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles
- Alan Ahdoot
- Matthew P. Blair
- Laura Davidson
- Juan J. Dominguez
- Michael Ehline
- Joseph Farzam
- Jubin Niamehr
- Chance J. Pardon
- John A. Sheehan
- Steven M. Sweat
- Compare Our Top Attorneys
- Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit in California
- How to Find the Best Dog Bite Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Best Dog Bite Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles
Compare Our Top Attorneys
Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit in California
California has specific laws that relate to dog bites. Things are handled a bit differently from other injuries. Here’s what you need to know.
California Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to bring a lawsuit after an injury occurs. The statute of limitations in California for dog bites is two years. If your dog bite occurred more than two years ago, it’s unlikely you have a case. However, it may still be worthwhile to consult a local lawyer to see if you have other options.
Identifying Fault for a Dog Bite Incident
California has a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites. This means that dog owners are responsible for all dog bites, regardless of whether or not the dog has bitten anyone previously or if the owners have evidence to suspect that the dog might bite.
However, this strict liability only applies on public property or on private property where the dog bite victim is allowed to be. In addition, a court may determine that the dog bite victim provoked the dog. If this is the case, strict liability may not apply.
California Laws Regarding Dog Bites
- A dog bite does not need to break the skin. In California, a dog bite is defined as any time a dog closes its jaws on a person. The bite does not necessarily need to break the skin or leave a mark.
- Military and police dogs may be exempt. The law specifically states that dogs working directly with governmental agents are not covered under the general dog bite law.
- The state or local government may have the authority to remove the dog. If a dog has been involved in two or more biting incidents, or if it’s been trained to attack (disregarding military and police dogs, as stated above), the local district attorney or city attorney can call a hearing to remove the danger from the dog to other people.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
An attorney can be the key to a successful case for the following reasons:
- A California attorney knows the law. Dog bite laws are very specific, and not always easy to understand. A qualified attorney can help you understand how the law applies to your specific case.
- A lawyer handles much of the paperwork. Civil cases require a lot of documentation and collecting and filling out this information can be time-consuming. Attorneys know the correct way to handle this documentation so you can rest assured that it’s filed correctly.
- An attorney can negotiate a settlement or litigate your cause in court. Personal injury lawyers often negotiate settlements with insurance companies to avoid going to court. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney can represent you in court.
How to Find the Best Dog Bite Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA
There is no such thing as the best lawyer; instead, you need to choose the one who is the best for you. Here are some ways to find your attorney.
- Ask people you trust for referrals. Has someone you know been involved in a personal injury case recently? Did they like their attorney or the law firm that represented them?
- Look for experience. Has your attorney represented a dog bite case before? If not, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t provide you with high-quality representation. But if an attorney has handled this sort of case, they’re likely to be more familiar with the process.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Chances are that you’ve never been in a situation like this before. It’s normal to have questions, and your attorney should be willing to explain the answers to you. If they’re not, that can be a sign to keep looking.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Dog Bite Lawyers in Los Angeles in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does California euthanize dogs that have been involved in a biting incident?
In some cases, California law permits the euthanization of a dog that has been determined to be “vicious.” Vicious dogs are identified as those that have killed or injured someone severely, or those dogs whose owners have not taken steps to control their behavior after a previous aggressive incident or bite.
What happens if a dog bites a trespasser?
If someone is on private property unlawfully (trespassing), the dog’s owner is not held to the same strict liability standards mentioned above. In certain cases, it may be determined that the dog owner contributed in some way and therefore bears some amount of responsibility, but anyone who was not legally on private property will not have the protection of strict liability.
Does this information apply if the dog didn’t bite, but was aggressive in other ways (such as chasing)?
Strict liability only applies to dog bites and the direct result of them (for example, if someone is injured while trying to escape a dog who is biting them). Owners of dogs who chase and bark may bear some legal responsibility, but their owners will not be held to the strict liability standard.