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What if the dog that bit you in Maywood had no known history of aggression?
California law holds dog owners strictly liable when their animal bites someone in a public place or lawfully in a private place. This means you do not need to prove the owner knew the dog had a history of viciousness, or even that the dog had ever bitten anyone before. The law places the responsibility on the owner regardless of the dog's past behavior (Civ. Code § 3342(a)).
Where do I file a dog bite lawsuit in Maywood?
If you were bitten by a dog in Maywood, your personal injury case generally gets filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Central District. These cases are heard at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, located at 111 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012. In Los Angeles County, local rules require personal injury cases to be filed in the judicial district where the incident happened and assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department.
How long do you have to file a dog bite claim?
You typically have two years to file a lawsuit after a dog bite injury (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). This deadline means the court must receive your formal complaint within two years from the date of the incident. If the dog that bit you was owned by a city, county, or other public agency, you have a much shorter deadline. You must present a written claim to that public entity within six months of the injury (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Missing these deadlines means you likely lose your right to pursue compensation, so act quickly to protect your claim.
California law allows you to recover various types of losses after a dog bite. This includes the cost of medical treatment for your injuries, money for lost wages if you could not work, and compensation for your pain, suffering, and emotional distress. What you can recover depends on the specific facts of your situation.
What should you do after a dog bite in Maywood?
If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite in Maywood, taking specific steps can help protect your health and your legal rights.
Get medical attention immediately. Dog bites can cause serious infections and other complications, even if they seem minor. Seek care from a doctor or hospital right away.
Report the bite to animal control. Reporting the incident creates an official record and can help prevent future bites. In Los Angeles County, you can contact the Department of Animal Care and Control.
Identify the dog and owner. If possible, get the owner's name, address, and phone number. Also, get information about the dog, such as its breed and name.
Gather evidence. Take photos of your injuries, the location of the bite, and the dog if it is safe to do so. Get contact information for any witnesses.
Avoid discussing the incident with the dog owner's insurance company. Do not give recorded statements or sign anything without speaking to an attorney first.
Contact a personal injury attorney. An attorney can explain your rights and help you understand your options after a dog bite.
What types of cases does a Maywood dog bite attorney handle?
Our firm focuses on helping people hurt by others' negligence or wrongful acts, including serious dog bite injuries in Maywood and surrounding areas. This includes cases where someone was bitten while walking through a neighborhood in Maywood, visiting a friend's home, or passing through a public park. We also represent those who suffered injuries from dog attacks that did not involve a direct bite, such as being knocked down by a large dog. Our work extends to other personal injury cases, such as those caused by car accidents or motorcycle accidents in Maywood.
Dog bite injuries can range from puncture wounds and lacerations to more severe issues requiring surgery or leading to permanent scarring. We also assist those dealing with infections, nerve damage, or significant emotional trauma following an attack. Our firm helps people who have sustained traumatic brain injuries or other serious harm due to another party's negligence. Our personal injury practice also serves clients in other Los Angeles County cities like Santa Ana, San Gabriel, Santa Clarita, and Santa Fe Springs.
What happens when you work with Casa Legal Los Angeles?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means we handle the legal complexities while you focus on recovery. We investigate the incident, gather evidence, and identify all responsible parties. This includes working with medical professionals to understand the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. We negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to pursue the full compensation available under California law. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court. Our commitment is to advocate for your rights through every step of the legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California law protect me if a dog bites me without warning?
California's strict liability law for dog bites means that an owner is generally responsible for injuries caused by their dog, even if the dog has never shown aggression before or given a warning. The owner does not need to know the dog is dangerous for you to have a valid claim (Civ. Code § 3342(a)).
What if I am under 18 when a dog bites me?
If you are a minor when a dog bite occurs, the typical two-year deadline for filing a lawsuit (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1) is generally paused until you turn 18 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352). However, this pause does not apply to the six-month deadline for claims against a public entity (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). For example, if a minor is bitten by a police dog, the six-month rule still applies.
What kinds of compensation can I receive for a dog bite in Maywood?
You can seek compensation for several categories of losses after a dog bite. This includes economic damages like medical bills (past and future), lost wages, and property damage. You can also recover non-economic damages, which cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
How do I start a dog bite claim after an incident in Maywood?
To start a claim, gather all available information about the incident, including photos of injuries, witness contacts, and the dog owner's details. Seek immediate medical attention. Then, contact a personal injury attorney. An attorney can review the facts of your case, explain your legal options, and help you file the necessary paperwork in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Central District, which serves Maywood.
If a dog bite has turned your world upside down, speak with us today. Call Casa Legal Los Angeles at 888-585-2529 for a free consultation. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win. This content offers general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines can have exceptions; confirm what applies to your specific facts with an attorney.
Serving Maywood
Our attorneys represent clients throughout Maywood and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a Maywood claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in Maywood is filed in Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Central District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in Maywood
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in Maywood (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).