Encino Dog Bite Lawyers Fighting for Your Rights
Dog bites can cause serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. A painful wound may be only the beginning when treatment, time away from work, or lasting scars follow. If you or your child was bitten in Encino, Noravian Law Firm can help you understand who may be responsible and pursue compensation for those losses.
Our Encino dog bite lawyers open insurance claims, handle insurer contact, and request medical and incident records. You do not need an insurance denial or a complete file before calling. Contact us at 818-548-8000 for a free consultation.
California Dog Bite Laws Explained
Under California Civil Code section 3342, a dog owner can be liable for injuries caused by a bite even without a prior bite or known history of aggression. The injured person must establish ownership, harm caused by the bite, and these circumstances:
- The dog bit you
- You were in a public place or lawfully on private property at the time of the bite
Lawful presence can include an express or implied invitation or performing a duty required by law. Separate rules and exceptions can apply, including police or military dog cases. If a dog knocked you down without biting, a negligence claim may still be possible; that is a different legal analysis. Our lawyers identify the right claim and respond when an insurer disputes what happened.
Common Injuries Resulting from Dog Attacks
Dog bite injuries can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Nerve damage and loss of sensation
- Facial injuries requiring reconstructive surgery
- Wound infections and the need for medical evaluation of rabies exposure
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Broken bones or fractures from being knocked down
- Emotional trauma including PTSD and anxiety
Some injuries require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, or psychological counseling. We document both the treatment already received and any continuing problems, including altered sensation, restricted movement, or a scar that may need further care.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Incident
Your health and safety come first after a bite. These steps can help you receive care and keep information that is readily available:
- Seek medical care promptly, especially for a deep wound, uncontrolled bleeding, or signs of infection; tell the provider if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown
- If it is safe, save the owner’s contact details and any dog identification or vaccination information provided
- Follow Los Angeles County Public Health’s bite-reporting guidance; call 213-288-7060 for reporting questions. A dangerous-animal concern should also be reported separately to Los Angeles Animal Services
- Photograph visible injuries and the location only when safe; do not approach or follow the dog for a picture
- Keep witness names or contact information that you already have or can safely obtain
- Let our lawyers handle insurer contact and requests for statements, while guiding you through any required cooperation
- Call Noravian Law Firm at 818-548-8000 for help opening and pursuing the claim
For a bite that breaks or punctures the skin, California Penal Code section 398 requires an owner or person with custody or control who knows or has reason to know of the bite to provide their name, address, and phone number, plus the animal’s name and license-tag number, as soon as practicable and within 48 hours of that knowledge. A minor handler must provide the adult owner’s or responsible person’s information instead. For an animal legally required to be vaccinated against rabies, vaccination-status information is due within 48 hours of the bite. Our lawyers help obtain missing information and relevant animal-control records. This disclosure rule does not define eligibility for a civil injury claim.
Compensation Available in a Dog Bite Lawsuit
A dog bite claim can address economic losses and the injury’s personal effects. Depending on the facts, recoverable damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries and therapy
- Lost wages and future loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering caused by the injury
- Psychological counseling for emotional trauma
- Costs associated with plastic or reconstructive surgery
- Permanent scarring, disfigurement, and disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to physical or emotional injuries
We document treatment costs and work restrictions, as well as how the injury affects sleep, daily activities, and confidence around dogs. Healing photographs and follow-up assessments can be useful when scarring or limited movement continues after the first visit.
Liability in Dog Bite Cases
The owner’s responsibility under the dog bite statute is different from a claim against someone who did not own the dog. Other parties may be responsible when their own negligent conduct caused the injury, including:
- Landlords who actually knew of a dog’s dangerous behavior, had the ability to prevent the harm, and failed to take reasonable measures
- Property owners whose negligent handling of a known danger contributed to the attack
- Dog handlers, such as pet sitters or dog walkers, whose negligent failure to control the animal caused harm
A landlord claim, for example, depends on knowledge, control, and a failure to take reasonable precautions. We request relevant complaints, management communications, and available video to assess those facts. A bite in an apartment courtyard does not automatically make the property owner responsible.
Special Considerations for Child Dog Bite Victims
The CDC reports that children are more likely than adults to be bitten and their injuries tend to be more severe. A child’s injury may involve:
- Severe facial trauma requiring reconstructive surgery
- Deep psychological scars resulting in long-term anxiety or fear of animals
- Prolonged recovery periods and rehabilitation
We approach a child’s claim with care for both present needs and future development. Recommended follow-up treatment, changes in school or play, and fear or sleep problems can help explain the impact. Parents can share records and observations they already have; our lawyers request the additional medical and incident information needed.
Common Defenses Raised in Dog Bite Cases
Dog owners and their insurance companies often attempt to avoid liability by raising certain defenses, including:
- Claiming the victim provoked the dog
- Arguing the victim was trespassing at the time of the attack
- Asserting the victim assumed the risk by interacting with the dog
We review the sequence of events, why you were at the location, and what witnesses or video can show. An insurer’s allegation is not proof. The facts may affect both whether a legal claim is available and whether damages should be reduced.
Dog Bite Claims in Encino Homes and Shared Spaces
A bite can involve a familiar dog during a visit, a walk, or a delivery. In a neighbor’s home, the invitation and identity of the owner may be clear, while insurance coverage and the extent of the injury are disputed. We handle those conversations so you can seek help without having to negotiate directly with someone you know.
Encino’s homes north and south of Ventura Boulevard and its apartments present different circumstances. A visitor bitten inside a residence may have messages showing an invitation. An attack near a shared entrance may raise questions about gate maintenance, prior complaints, or the handler’s control. Our lawyers request relevant records and assess responsibility while keeping the focus on your treatment and losses.
Why You Need an Encino Dog Bite Lawyer
Even though California law favors dog bite victims, insurance companies often fight aggressively to minimize payouts. Without legal representation, you may be pressured into accepting a settlement that does not fully address your medical needs, emotional trauma, or future expenses.
We review available liability insurance, exclusions, and the evidence of your injury. If treatment is ongoing or a scar is still changing, we consider recommended care before advising you about a final settlement. We also explain any limits on recovery rather than assuming that ownership of a home means coverage is available.
Call 818-548-8000 to speak with our team about your dog bite claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
California generally gives an injured person two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Different timing rules can apply to minors, but that tolling rule does not extend claims that must be presented to a public entity. A government injury claim is generally due within six months after accrual, with a separate lawsuit deadline. A bite at a public park does not by itself establish government liability. We check the responsible parties and dates promptly.
Possibly. California’s comparative-fault rule can reduce damages if your own negligent conduct helped cause the injury. A separate question is whether you were lawfully on private property, as required for the statutory owner-liability claim. We evaluate allegations of provocation or trespass using the facts rather than treating every defense as an automatic bar or reduction.
A homeowner’s, renter’s, or other liability policy may provide coverage, but exclusions and policy limits matter. We investigate the owner’s coverage and whether another party has separate legal responsibility. A landlord does not become liable simply because the dog owner is uninsured. If no coverage applies, we discuss potential recovery from the responsible person and the practical limits of collecting it.
The amount depends on the injury, treatment and future-care needs, scarring or disability, lost income, and effects such as pain, anxiety, or loss of enjoyment of life. Responsibility and available recovery sources also matter. We assess your medical records, work information, and day-to-day limitations rather than predicting a result from the victim’s age or the location of a scar.
Leash Laws, Local Parks, and Encino’s Residential Dog Bite Risks
In Encino, the setting helps explain who was responsible for a dog and why an injured person was there. A bite during a walk near home, a delivery at a gated property, and an encounter inside a designated dog park involve different evidence. Knowing the location helps us identify witnesses, available video, and the people or businesses to contact.
Encino is part of the City of Los Angeles. The city’s dog-restraint rule generally requires a dog off its keeper’s premises to be controlled by a competent person and restrained by a leash or chain no longer than six feet, with an exception for designated dog exercise or training areas. Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park on Victory Boulevard is such a designated local setting; it should not be confused with an ordinary park or a neighborhood sidewalk. Being in an off-leash area does not by itself decide whether an owner is responsible for a bite.
For a bite at a home in Encino Hills or an apartment closer to Ventura Boulevard, we consider the invitation, delivery purpose, or other reason you were present. If a familiar dog was involved, we can handle contact with the owner’s insurer where coverage exists. Insurance is not guaranteed, and a claim may still involve the owner directly. We explain that process without promising it will avoid a personal disagreement.
Nearby Areas We Also Serve
In addition to Encino, our attorneys represent dog bite victims in nearby communities including Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Northridge, Los Angeles, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Reseda, Studio City, and throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Don’t see your community? Call 818-548-8000 to discuss whether we can help with your California injury claim.
Contact Our Encino Dog Bite Injury Lawyers Now
If you or your child suffered a dog bite in Encino, Noravian Law Firm can review what happened and explain your options. We open claims, handle insurer communication, and request evidence while you focus on care. Call 818-548-8000 for a free consultation.
Accepted cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis: attorney fees are owed only if we recover compensation. Case costs are separate, and the written agreement explains how both fees and costs are handled.
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