UCLA-Trained Attorneys in Woodland Hills
California Civil Code Section 3342 imposes strict liability on dog owners. That means if a dog bites you while you are lawfully in a public place or lawfully on private property, the owner is liable. Period. There is no "one free bite" rule in California. The owner does not get a pass because the dog was supposedly friendly before.
Dog bite cases in Woodland Hills often involve residential neighborhoods where dogs are off-leash in front yards or escape through gates. Children are frequent victims. Arya handles these cases by identifying the owner's homeowner's insurance policy, which typically covers dog bite liability, and building the claim to include the full scope of medical treatment, scarring, emotional trauma, and future care. Woodland Hills 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 Shapes an Injury Case Here
Every case starts with the same questions: which roads were involved, which hospital treated you, which court will hear it, and what deadlines apply. Here is what we already know about Woodland Hills cases before you even call.
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 Woodland Hills
- Westfield Topanga & The Village: Two of the highest-traffic retail complexes in the West Valley, managed by corporate entities. Slip & fall and parking lot incidents here involve professional claims handlers, not individual property owners.
- Warner Center district: Dense office and mixed-use development means commercial defendants with real insurance limits. Cases involving Warner Center employers or properties carry different liability structures than residential incidents.
- Topanga Canyon road liability: Serious crashes on Topanga Canyon Blvd often involve Caltrans or county road maintenance as potential defendants. Government claims have strict evidence preservation and notice requirements.
- LA County Superior Court (Chatsworth): Cases file at the Chatsworth Courthouse. Local bench tendencies and how Valley juries evaluate damages are things we know from direct experience.
- West Hills Hospital: Primary trauma intake for the area. How injuries are documented on the first ER visit shapes the entire claim, and we coordinate with treating physicians early.
Major Accidents in the Area
Traffic congestion often occurs on Topanga Canyon Boulevard and during rush hours on the 101 Freeway. These conditions create dangerous merging zones and congested areas.
City surface streets like Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Ventura Boulevard, De Soto Avenue, Valley Circle Boulevard 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 Topanga.
- Delivery vehicle collisions in residential zones like Calabasas Highlands, Castle Peak and Serra Canyon.
- School zone crashes near El Camino Real Charter High School and Woodland Hills Academy.
- Pedestrian accidents near Ventura Boulevard Corridor.
- Dog Bites in the Serra Canyon and Woodland Hills East neighborhoods.
Compensation Available in Your Case
Dog bite injuries go beyond the initial wound. Reconstructive surgery, infection treatment, psychological trauma, and scarring are all compensable under California law. Here is the full picture.
Medical Expenses
Emergency treatment at West Hills Hospital, wound care, antibiotics, plastic surgery for scarring, and counseling for emotional trauma after a dog attack.
Lost Wages
Time away from work while recovering from bite injuries, especially if the wounds required surgery or became infected.
Pain & Suffering
The pain of the bite itself, the fear during the attack, and lasting anxiety around dogs. Many victims develop real phobias after a serious bite.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Visible bite scars, especially on the face, hands, or arms, carry significant non-economic damages. Plastic surgery can reduce but rarely eliminates scarring.
Future Medical Costs
Reconstructive procedures, additional plastic surgery, physical therapy for nerve damage, and ongoing psychological treatment for PTSD and anxiety.
Punitive Damages
When a dog owner knew their dog was dangerous and failed to leash or restrain it, punitive damages are available to punish that reckless disregard.
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 attack to LA Animal Services. They'll create an official bite report and can quarantine the dog.
Seek emergency medical care
Go to West Hills Hospital or the nearest ER immediately. Dog bites carry serious infection risk and need prompt cleaning, antibiotics, and wound assessment.
Photograph injuries immediately
Take time-stamped photos of every bite wound, scratch, and bruise before the wounds are cleaned or bandaged. Photograph torn clothing too.
Identify the dog and owner
Get the owner's name, address, and phone number. Ask for the dog's vaccination records. If neighbors witnessed the attack, they may know the owner.
Contact Westwood Law
Arya Firoozmand handles dog bite cases throughout Woodland Hills and the West San Fernando Valley. Homeowners' insurance typically covers these claims, and we identify all available coverage.