Maison Law can help you through the injury claims process if you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog in Manhattan Beach. Dogs are a big part of everyday life in Manhattan Beach. You’ll see them walking through Downtown Manhattan Beach, along The Strand, in neighborhood parks, and around outdoor restaurants and shopping areas. Most of those interactions are completely harmless, but not always. We can help you through the aftermath. Set up a free consultation today.

When a Lawyer Makes Sense After a Dog Bite

Not every dog bite means you need a lawyer. Sometimes it’s a relatively minor injury that only requires a trip to urgent care, and you can move on without much trouble. The problem is that not every dog bite is that simple. They could easily lead to pretty serious injuries, nerve damage, and trauma that takes a while to process.

If that’s what you’re currently dealing with, you’re probably at the point where talking to a lawyer is starting to make more sense. Our Manhattan Beach dog bite lawyers can:

Explain your options in plain language so you know what to expect.
Look into what happened and get the information you need for a claim.
Figure out who’s legally responsible for your injuries.
Handle the back-and-forth with the insurance company or dog owner.
File a lawsuit if it becomes necessary.

After a dog bite, the last thing you need is more stress. We try to make the process as simple as possible so you can focus on getting better. That starts with getting information.

Information That Can Help After a Dog Bite

One thing that a lot of people don’t think about with a dog bite is how scary it is. Yes, some bites happen as a split-second reaction, but others might be much more extensive. One way or the other, your first priority should always be getting somewhere safe and getting medical care.

Once that’s taken care of, there’s a couple things you’ll want to do:

Get medical treatment as soon as possible, even if the bite doesn’t seem serious at first.
Report the bite to Manhattan Beach Animal Control or the appropriate local agency.
Get the dog owner’s name and contact information.
Take pictures of your injuries, the dog, and where the bite happened.
Get the names and contact information of anyone who saw what happened.

Again, only try to get these things if it’s safe, the dog is back under control, or you’ve removed yourself from the scene and are on the way to the ER or urgent care. But once things settle down, there’s other information that can help you in the subsequent days and weeks:

Medical records. Records from the emergency room, follow-up appointments, prescriptions, and physical therapy help connect your injuries to the bite itself and show what your recovery has looked like.
Animal Control or police reports. These reports create an official record of what happened and may include important information about the dog’s owner or whether the dog has bitten someone before.
Pictures of your recovery. Continue taking pictures as your injuries heal, especially if you’re dealing with stitches, bruising, infections, or permanent scarring.
Witness statements. If anyone saw the bite happen, their story can help support your version of what happened.
Medical bills, receipts, and proof of missed work. These can help show the financial impact the bite has had on your life—and will continue to have moving forward.

Obviously, every dog bite is different. But in general, these things are going to be the foundation of a potential claim. But if you want to go forward with a claim, you have to establish something important first: responsibility.

Who’s Legally Responsible for a Dog Bite in Manhattan Beach?

One of the first questions people ask after a dog bite is, “Who’s actually responsible for this?” In Manhattan Beach (and throughout California), the answer is often more straightforward than people expect.

In California, dog bites fall under what’s called “strict liability.” That’s simply a legal way of saying that dog owners are generally responsible when their dog bites someone—even if it’s the first time the dog has ever shown aggression before.

And while that clears up a huge hurdle in terms of a claim, the details also matter. That could potentially bring in others that share some of the responsibility with the dog’s owner, like:

Someone who was caring for or otherwise in charge of the dog at the time of the bite.
A landlord in certain situations involving a known dangerous dog at an apartment or some other shared living space.
A business or property owner if they didn’t respond to reports of an aggressive dog or if there were other unsafe conditions that led to the bite.

Even with strict liability, your actions also matter. If you were trespassing somewhere or intentionally provoking the dog, it could factor into your potential damages. But the good news is that these situations are the exception—not the rule. Most dog bite claims simply come down to understanding what happened and then moving forward with a claim to get financial help for your injuries.

How to Get Damages With a Dog Bite Claim

The physical injuries that come with a dog bite vary from situation to situation, but they’re pretty easy to understand. Bite wounds, broken bones, scarring, and nerve damage can all result from even a quick bite. But it’s the other things about a dog bite that people sometimes don’t think about. Many people experience PTSD and anxiety just being around a dog for a long time after a bite.

All of this is what the claims process is designed to help you with and is apart of your “damages.” But to get them, you have to file either:

An insurance claim outside of court.
A personal injury lawsuit.

Insurance-wise, the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy is usually the one that covers bites. While that can help with your physical injuries or damaged property, there’s also the option of filing a lawsuit to take care of your more long-term losses that can include:

Medical expenses
Future medical treatment
Lost wages
Reduced earning capacity
Repair costs for damaged property (clothing, shoes, phone, etc.)
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Scarring and disfigurement
Reduced quality of life

California generally gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury claim. That may seem like plenty of time, but waiting can make it harder to get information about the dog/owner, gather evidence, and find witnesses. However, one way that you can at least prepare yourself is to take a look at where bites usually happen here.

Where Do Dog Bites Usually Happen in Manhattan Beach?

This sounds obvious, but dog bites can happen anywhere you interact with a dog. While that obviously broadens things, there are certain places where they’re more likely simply because that’s where people and dogs regularly cross paths in the area, like:

Homes and apartment complexes. A lot of people think dog bites happen with a dog they’ve never seen before. That’s not always true. A bite can happen while visiting someone’s home, walking through an apartment complex, or even during a routine delivery. When dogs aren’t properly leashed or secured, the risk goes up quickly.
Parks and outdoor spaces. Places like Polliwog Park are a big part of life in Manhattan Beach. You’ll see people walking their dogs, families spending the afternoon outside, and neighbors enjoying the area. Most of the time, everything goes fine. But when a dog isn’t properly controlled, a normal day at the park can change quickly.
The Strand. The Strand is one of the busiest spots in Manhattan Beach. You have walkers, runners, cyclists, and dog owners all sharing the same space. Usually, everyone gets along. But dogs can be unpredictable, and it doesn’t take much for an unexpected interaction to turn into a bite.
Restaurants and local businesses. Manhattan Beach has plenty of dog-friendly restaurants and shops, especially those with outdoor patios. That’s part of what makes the area so enjoyable. The problem is that crowded spaces, unfamiliar people, and other dogs can sometimes create situations where someone gets hurt.

Obviously, dog bites can happen just about anywhere in Manhattan Beach. What’s important isn’t so much where it happened—it’s understanding what your options are moving forward. That’s where our team can step in and guide you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t know who owns the dog?

That’s okay. Your first priority should be getting away from the dog and getting medical care. From there, we can help find the dog’s owner and figure out the best path forward for you.

What if the dog owner doesn’t have insurance?

You might still have options. Many dog bite claims are covered through homeowners or renters insurance, but every situation is different. If there isn’t obvious insurance coverage, we can help you figure out if you have options with your own insurance.

Can I file a claim if I was bitten by a friend’s dog?

This is something people worry about a lot, especially with a friend, neighbor, or family member. But the reality is that a claim goes through insurance—not directly against your friend or family. Homeowner’s insurance policies can help with your injuries, medical bills, and other losses.

Maison Law Can Help After a Dog Bite in Manhattan Beach

A dog bite can leave you dealing with painful injuries, unexpected medical bills, and a lot of unanswered questions. But you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. At Maison Law, our Manhattan Beach dog bite lawyers can handle the legal side while you focus on getting better. If you have questions about your options or simply want to know what to do next, set up a free consultation today.

Manhattan Beach Dog Bite Lawyer