Were you injured in a dog bite accident in West Covina, CA?
At Commonwealth Legal Group, PC, we provide dog bite representation on a contingency basis, with no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
If you have been bitten by a dog in West Covina, California law may hold the owner financially responsible even if the animal never showed aggression before. A West Covina, CA dog bite lawyer can document your injuries, identify each party that may owe compensation, and pursue the full value of your claim.
Commonwealth Legal Group, PC has represented injured people on the plaintiff side since 2016, and our founder has taken cases through trial to verdict. Reach out to our office to schedule a free consultation.
Dog Bite Lawyer West Covina, CA
A dog bite attorney in West Covina, CA represents people injured by another person’s animal and seeks payment from the owner, a landlord who knew about a dangerous dog, or the insurance policy covering either of them. Many of these claims are resolved through homeowner’s or renter’s coverage, and they require the same medical proof and documentation as any other injury claim.
The LA County Public Health veterinary program receives more than 9,000 animal bite reports every year, and the program notes that many bites go unreported. A report filed soon after the attack often becomes one of the earliest records in a West Covina dog bite case.
Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in West Covina
Dog bite claims arise in backyards, apartment courtyards, and neighborhood parks throughout West Covina, CA. The legal theory we rely on depends on where the attack happened and who had control of the animal. As a dog bite attorney, we evaluate both the bite statute and ordinary negligence in every case.
- Bites in public places. Parks, sidewalks, and parking lots are common settings for attacks by loose or poorly restrained dogs. The strict liability rule applies to bites in public places, so our first task is identifying the owner and any available insurance.
- Bites on private property. Invited guests and people performing a legal duty such as mail delivery are generally considered lawfully present. Insurers often dispute this point first, and we gather the facts that establish why you were on the property.
- Attacks on children. California public health research found that children under 10 visit emergency departments for dog bites more often than any other age group and are more than three times as likely to be bitten on the head or face. We work with treating physicians to estimate future care, including revision procedures.
- Delivery drivers and service workers. Package drivers, mail carriers, and utility workers encounter dogs daily on residential routes. Some of these cases also involve a workers’ compensation claim, and we coordinate both.
- Knockdown and chase injuries. A dog does not have to bite anyone to cause serious harm. When a dog knocks a person to the ground or chases someone into the street, the claim usually rests on the owner’s ordinary negligence rather than the bite statute.
- Landlord and property manager liability. A landlord who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous, and had the ability to remove it, may share responsibility. We request lease files, written complaints, and animal control records to show what the property owner knew and when.
- Attacks while walking a pet. Dog owners are frequently hurt while trying to separate their own pet from an aggressive animal. These injuries tend to involve hand punctures, forearm lacerations, and soft tissue damage. The owner of the attacking dog can still be held responsible.
- Infections and nerve damage. Bite wounds carry bacteria that can cause serious infections. Punctures to the hand or face may also injure nerves and tendons, and we document complications that surface weeks later.
Why Choose Commonwealth Legal Group, PC as My Dog Bite Lawyer in West Covina, CA?
Trial Experience Behind Every Negotiation
Albert Ng founded Commonwealth Legal Group, PC and has practiced plaintiff-side personal injury law since 2016. He secured a $2.2 million trial verdict in a case where the defense’s last offer was zero dollars, and he received a Top 50 verdict recognition in 2020. Albert earned his bachelor’s degree at Boston University and his law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He is a member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.
A willingness to take a case to verdict is part of what our clients receive from a personal injury lawyer in West Covina, CA. Premises disputes are also a regular part of our work as a slip and fall lawyer in West Covina, and many dog bite claims raise the same questions about what a property owner knew.
Recoveries in Premises and Serious Injury Cases
Our firm’s case history reflects millions of dollars recovered for injured Southern Californians. Results connected to property conditions and serious injuries include:
- $800,000 for a client injured in a slip and fall at a restaurant
- $500,000 in a trip and fall case against a bowling alley, where the client suffered a head injury
- $500,000 for a minor pedestrian who was run over in a parking lot
What Is Important to Understand About a Dog Bite Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Dog Bite Cases
Civil Code § 3342 makes a dog owner liable for bite injuries suffered in a public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property. The dog’s past behavior and the owner’s knowledge of it do not matter. This form of strict owner liability means you are not required to prove carelessness. Injuries without a bite, such as a knockdown, fall under the general duty of ordinary care in Civil Code § 1714.
The value of a claim depends heavily on the location and permanence of the injuries. A bite that leaves a visible scar on the face is treated very differently from a wound that heals fully within a few weeks, and a West Covina dog bite lawyer will account for that difference when calculating damages.
Compensation in either type of claim may include:
- Medical bills and other economic damages, including emergency care and future scar revision
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and fear of dogs after the attack
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for a spouse or registered domestic partner
What Are Important Aspects of a Dog Bite Case?
Several issues shape the outcome of a dog bite claim well before any trial date is set. Insurers look closely at where the bite occurred, whether the injured person was lawfully present, and whether that person’s own conduct contributed to the attack.
Under California’s comparative fault principles, an award can be reduced by the injured person’s share of responsibility. For that reason, an allegation that you teased or provoked the dog requires a prompt, factual response. Witness accounts and photographs taken at the scene are often the most reliable answer to that argument. Confirming ownership is equally important. West Covina animal services are provided by Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, and county records can help establish who owned and licensed the dog.
Section 335.1 of the Code of Civil Procedure generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations can differ when a public entity is involved or the injured person is a minor.
What Is The Dog Bite Case Timeline?
The length of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries and how the insurer responds to the evidence. A typical case timeline moves through these stages:
- Treatment and reporting. You receive medical care, and the bite is reported to county health officials.
- Investigation. We collect photographs, witness statements, animal control records, and supporting evidence of ownership and coverage.
- Demand and negotiation. After your treatment stabilizes, we present a written demand to the insurance companies involved.
- Litigation. If negotiations stall, we file suit before the deadline and begin discovery.
- Resolution. The case concludes through settlement, mediation, or a verdict at trial.
What Should You Bring to Your Dog Bite Consultation?
The records you already have help us evaluate liability and damages at the first meeting with a dog bite lawyer in West Covina. The most useful documents include:
- Photographs of your wounds, the location, and the dog
- Medical records, bills, and discharge instructions
- The owner’s name and address, if known
- Any bite report or animal control case number
- Names and contact information for witnesses
The consultation is free and confidential. We will review the facts, explain whether the bite statute or a negligence theory applies, and outline the next steps.
Reach Out to Commonwealth Legal Group, PC to Schedule a Consultation
Dog bite injuries can take months to heal, and a claim is strongest when the evidence is gathered early. Commonwealth Legal Group, PC handles these matters on a contingency basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. During the consultation, we review what happened and explain your options. Weekday and weekend appointments are available. Contact us to speak with a West Covina dog bite attorney about your case.
