North Hollywood Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Serving roles as lovable companions, service animals for disabled individuals, and loyal working members of the military and law enforcement agencies, it’s no wonder dogs are often labeled man’s best friend and one of the most common and popular pets nationwide. However, when a dog decides to it’s time to stop being friendly, a bite or attack can result in catastrophic injuries or even death for an unsuspecting victim. The experienced North Hollywood dog bite injury lawyers at Walch Law recognize how traumatic, painful, and expensive these incidents can be; that’s why we will fight hard to get you the compensation you need for your damages and the justice and closure you deserve to help your emotional recovery. Get in touch with us today to see how we can put over 45 years of experience delivering successful outcomes for clients over 98% of the time to work on your behalf.

North Hollywood, located in northern Los Angeles County in the San Fernando Valley, is home to over 58,000 residents. A family-oriented community, many people who call this city home have homes with yards and own dogs. The area is geared towards spending time with your dogs and boasts activities for owners and their four-legged friends that include:

• Whitnall Off-Leash Dog Park
• Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park
• Runyon Canyon Park
• Mount Hollywood Trail
• Griffith Park

Between the outdoor activities owners can enjoy with their dogs and the number of dog-friendly stores, restaurants, and bars in the area, even if you don’t own a pet you’re likely to run into at least one dog in your neighborhood or while out and about in North Hollywood.

Unfortunately, even though most dogs are friendly by nature, even the sweetest ones can change their attitude and give out of the 4.5 million bites seen each year in the United States. Dogs are most likely to bite if they feel afraid, threatened, are startled, or feel someone is trying to take their food, water, or toys. This unexpected behavior means that even around friendly dogs who are familiar with you, it’s important to exercise caution and remain alert or risk potentially life-threatening consequences. A North Hollywood dog owner was charged with a felony after her dog attacked three people it knew on separate occasions, injuring all three and necessitating surgery for two of the victims.

After being bitten by a dog, its normal for victims to want compensation from the dog’s owner for their injuries. California dog owners are generally held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog. Victims filing a personal injury suit can usually establish an owner’s liability if they prove:

• The defendant owns the dog
• The victim was bitten on public property or while lawfully present on private property
• The bite injured the victim

There are a few exceptions to strict liability for dog owners. If one applies, victims must try to prove the owner was negligent in order to establish liability through that avenue. Exceptions include situations where:

• The victim provoked the dog
• The victim was bitten while trespassing
• The victim was bitten by a law enforcement or military dog in the course of performing its official duties

A victim that establishes an owner’s liability may be entitled to an award of damages for a variety of injuries such as lost wages, medical bills, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.

Most bites or attacks from dogs were not expected by their victims. So are the consequences for victims of an animal’s aggression. Some people may suffer minor injuries, while others face reconstructive procedures, permanent disfigurement, or even fatal consequences. The experienced North Hollywood dog bite injury lawyers at Walch Law understand that you may be overwhelmed by medical bills and other bite-related issues, so we’ll begin fighting for maximum possible compensation on your behalf immediately once you hire use. We’ve seen the relief a much-needed check and a sense of closure can bring our clients, so we’ll work hard to deliver a successful outcome without any needless delay. Contact us today to see how Robert and Gary’s knowledge, skill, resources, and track record of success make us the team you want guiding you down the road to recovery.