UCLA-Trained Attorneys in Sherman Oaks
Every dog bite case starts the same way. The owner is shocked. They say the dog is usually gentle. They promise it has never happened before. Under California Civil Code Section 3342, none of that matters. California is a strict liability state for dog bites. If their dog bit you while you were lawfully present, the owner is liable for your injuries. No exceptions for "good" dogs.
Sherman Oaks is a densely populated area with a lot of dog owners and a lot of pedestrian foot traffic along Ventura Boulevard and in residential neighborhoods. That combination produces dog bite cases. Arya handles these claims by identifying the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, which almost always covers dog bite liability, and building a claim that accounts for the full cost of treatment, scarring, psychological impact, and future care. Sherman Oaks cases file at Van Nuys Courthouse West.
UCLA-Trained Attorneys, Not a Call Center
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and I've spent my career representing people who were hurt because someone else wasn't paying attention. I take these cases personally because I've watched families in this community deal with the aftermath of serious crashes. If you were injured, I want to hear what happened.
What Makes Your Case Different From Day One
The dangerous corridors, the trauma routing, the legal framework, and the deadlines that apply. Sherman Oaks has one of the highest injury collision rates in the Valley. Here is what that means for your case.
California's dog bite statute holds owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog biting someone in a public place or lawfully on private property. There is no "one free bite" defense. The owner is liable even if the dog has never shown aggression before.
California CCP §335.1 gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. Medical care and documentation must begin immediately — delayed treatment weakens the link between the bite and your injuries and gives insurers room to dispute severity.
What We Know About Sherman Oaks
- Westfield Fashion Square: Corporate-owned regional mall with a professional liability team. Slip & fall and parking structure incidents here are routinely contested, and prior incident history at the property is critical evidence we request early.
- US-101 / I-405 interchange: One of the most congested freeway intersections in the country. Rear-end and lane-change crashes are frequent; fault in multi-vehicle incidents requires fast evidence preservation before footage disappears.
- Van Nuys Courthouse: Cases file at the Van Nuys Courthouse of LA County Superior Court. We know the local judges and how Sherman Oaks-area juries evaluate damages.
- Dense apartment stock: Sherman Oaks has substantial multi-unit residential development. Premises liability against property management companies is a recurring case type. These defendants operate very differently from individual homeowners.
- Sepulveda Blvd medical corridor: Multiple medical practices and outpatient facilities. We know which specialists produce injury documentation that holds up under cross-examination from insurance defense counsel.
Major Accidents in the Area
The 101/405 interchange and Ventura Boulevard create some of the worst traffic congestion in the Valley, with peak-hour gridlock a daily reality for Sherman Oaks residents. These conditions create dangerous merging zones and congested areas.
City surface streets like Ventura Boulevard, Van Nuys Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, Riverside Drive are hotspots for T-bone collisions, rear-end crashes, and pedestrian strikes, especially during rush hours and school drop-off/pick-up times.
We've helped victims injured in:
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) accidents near Westfield Fashion Square.
- Delivery vehicle collisions in residential zones like Chandler Estates, Magnolia Woods and Sherman Oaks Hills.
- School zone crashes near Sherman Oaks Elementary Charter and Notre Dame High School.
- Pedestrian accidents near Ventura Boulevard Corridor and Westfield Fashion Square.
- Dog Bites in the Sherman Oaks Hills and Van Nuys adjacent neighborhoods.
Compensation Available in Your Case
Dog bite injuries often require more treatment than people expect. Wound care, antibiotics, plastic surgery, and therapy for emotional trauma are all compensable. Here is the full list.
Medical Expenses
Emergency treatment at Sherman Oaks Hospital, wound care, antibiotic regimens, plastic surgery for scarring, and therapy for emotional trauma from the attack.
Lost Wages
Income lost during recovery from your bite injuries. Severe bites that require surgery and rehabilitation can keep you out of work for an extended period.
Pain & Suffering
The pain of the bite wounds, the fear during the attack, and the lasting emotional effects. Anxiety about walking outside and fear of dogs are real, documented harms.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Permanent scarring from dog bites, particularly on the face, arms, and hands. The psychological impact of visible scarring adds to the non-economic damages.
Future Medical Costs
Ongoing scar revision, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy for tendon damage, and long-term PTSD treatment.
Punitive Damages
If the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's aggression, whether through previous bites, animal control complaints, or neighbor warnings, punitive damages apply.
Call us Today. No fee until you win!
818-224-7940What to Do After a Dog Bite
Dog bite injuries can be serious — infected, scarred, and emotionally traumatic. These steps protect your health and your legal claim.
Get to safety and call 911
Call 911 and report the bite to LA Animal Services. An official investigation creates a critical record for your claim.
Seek emergency medical care
Get to Sherman Oaks Hospital or the closest ER. Dog bites carry high infection risk and deep tissue damage that isn't always obvious at first.
Photograph injuries immediately
Time-stamped photographs of every wound before treatment. Also photograph the scene, the dog if safely possible, and any blood on your clothing.
Identify the dog and owner
Get the owner's full name, address, and phone number, plus the dog's breed and vaccination records. Neighbors and nearby business employees can help if the owner is uncooperative.
Contact Westwood Law
Arya Firoozmand represents Sherman Oaks dog bite victims and files claims against the owner's homeowners' insurance. California law holds owners strictly liable for bites, period.