Dog Bite Lawyer Los Angeles | Animal Attack Claims

If you need a dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles, Mesriani Law Group is here to help. Animal attacks can leave victims with serious physical injuries, lasting psychological trauma, and mounting medical bills — and California law is clear: when a pet owner or animal keeper fails to properly restrain their animal, they are responsible for the harm it causes.

At Mesriani Law Group, our Los Angeles animal attack attorneys have spent over two decades fighting for injury victims across California. We handle every type of animal attack claim — from dog bites and cat scratches to horse-related injuries and exotic animal attacks — and we don’t collect a fee unless we win your case.

California’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

Unlike many states that give dogs “one free bite” rule, California holds dog owners strictly liable under Civil Code § 3342. This means:

• You do NOT need to prove the dog had a history of aggression
• You do NOT need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous
• You only need to show the bite occurred in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property

This strict liability standard is one of the strongest in the country and significantly benefits dog bite victims in California. If you were bitten on a sidewalk, in a park, at a neighbor’s home, or at another person’s property with permission, you have the right to pursue a claim.

Important: California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). If you wait too long to file, you may lose your right to compensation entirely. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after an attack.

Types of Animal Attacks We Handle

Our attorneys represent victims of all animal-related injuries throughout Los Angeles and California, including:

• Dog bites — the most common animal attack; California’s strict liability law applies
• Cat bites and scratches — can cause serious infections including cat scratch disease and sepsis
• Coyote attacks — increasingly common in LA neighborhoods including Griffith Park, Brentwood, and the Hollywood Hills
• Horse and equine injuries — kicks, bites, and falls involving horses kept on private property
• Exotic animal attacks — injuries caused by pets that are illegal or require special permits under California law
• Farm animal injuries — attacks by livestock on agricultural or private property

Common Injuries From Animal Attacks

Animal attacks can cause a wide spectrum of injuries, ranging from minor cuts to life-threatening trauma. Our clients have suffered:

• Deep lacerations, puncture wounds, and severe scarring
• Nerve damage and loss of sensation or motor function
• Broken bones and fractures from falls or impacts during an attack
• Spinal cord and back injuries
• Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Eye injuries and vision loss
• Serious infections including rabies exposure, MRSA, and sepsis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and phobias
• Wrongful death in the most severe cases

Even attacks that appear minor can become serious. Dog bite wounds carry a high infection risk and may require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and months of physical therapy.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A successful animal attack claim can recover damages across multiple categories. The full value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life and income, and the long-term effects of the attack.

• Medical Expenses: Emergency room treatment, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, surgery, hospitalization, and specialist consultations
• Future Medical Care: Reconstructive surgery, post-operative care, ongoing wound care, pain management, and physical or occupational therapy
• Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery and, in serious cases, compensation for reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Additional damages for permanent visible scarring, especially on the face, neck, or hands
• Property Damage: Reimbursement for clothing, eyeglasses, or other personal property damaged during the attack
• Wrongful Death Damages: If a loved one died from an animal attack, surviving family members may pursue funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship

How We Prove Liability in an Animal Attack Case

Building a strong animal attack claim requires acting quickly to preserve evidence. Our legal team handles the entire investigation process on your behalf.

1. Document the attack

Immediately after an attack, the following evidence is critical:

• Photographs of your injuries at the scene and in the days following (wounds change rapidly)
• Photos of the location where the attack occurred
• The name and contact information of the animal owner
• Contact information for any witnesses
• Animal control report number if responding officers were called

2. Establish the owner’s negligence

Under California’s strict liability statute, we typically do not need to prove the owner was careless — only that the bite occurred and the defendant owned the animal. However, for non-dog animal attacks, we will document how the owner failed to properly restrain or control their animal, violating a reasonable duty of care.

3. Connect your injuries to the incident

Insurance companies frequently argue that injuries were pre-existing or exaggerated. We work with your treating physicians and, when necessary, independent medical experts to create a documented link between the attack and every injury you sustained.

4. Calculate the full value of your claim

Short-term medical bills are only part of the picture. We account for long-term care needs, lost earning capacity, psychological treatment, and non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

What to Do After an Animal Attack in California

The steps you take in the hours and days after an attack can significantly impact your claim. If you or someone with you is safe to do so:

1. Seek medical attention immediately — even if the wound looks minor. Animal bites carry serious infection risk and a medical record establishes the injury timeline.
2. Call animal control or the police to file an official report. Request the report number before you leave.
3. Photograph everything — your wounds, the animal, the location, and any torn clothing.
4. Get the owner’s name, address, phone number, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information.
5. Collect witness names and phone numbers.
6. Do not give a recorded statement to the owner’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first.
7. Contact Mesriani Law Group for a free consultation as soon as possible.

What Does a Dog Bite Lawyer in Los Angeles Do?

Many animal attack victims assume they can handle a claim directly with the owner’s insurance company. This is one of the most costly mistakes you can make.

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They may ask leading questions, request recorded statements, or make early settlement offers that seem fair but fail to account for your future medical costs, lost income, or pain and suffering.

When you retain Mesriani Law Group, our attorneys:

• Handle all communications with the insurance company so you can’t inadvertently waive your rights
• Gather and preserve all evidence, including veterinary records, animal control history, and property records
• Work with medical experts to document the full scope and future cost of your injuries
• Negotiate aggressively for a settlement that reflects the true value of your case
• Take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation