Dog Bites

Although most dogs are friendly, any dog is capable of biting someone. Actually, millions of people are bitten by dogs across the nation each year. A dog attack can cause painful injuries that require expensive medical care, as many of these attacks not only can result in severe injuries and leave you permanently scarred, disfigured, with infections, and even cause death, but this type ot traumatic injury can also impact you emotionally and psychologically.

In the state of California the dog owner is liable for an attack even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. This is known as strict liability. Even if the dog owner did not know the animal was dangerous, he or she can still be held liable for any injuries caused by an attack. California invokes strict liability when it comes to dog bites. In other words, the law states that the owner of the animal is liable for the damages whether or not he or she acted negligently. However, this is only the case when the following is true:

• The victim was not trespassing.
• The victim did not provoke the animal.
• The dog is not part of law enforcement or military and is assisting a handler in that capacity.

If those conditions are met, the law states that a victim of a dog attack does not need to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent in order to recover compensation.

If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to understand your legal rights. A skilled, experienced, dedicated dog bit lawyer from Workers’ Advocate Law Group will fight to protect your rights and enhance your opportunity to more quickly get on the path to recovery. We understand that being injured in a dog attack is an overwhelming experience and we will provide you with knowledge, compassion and the personal attention you deserve.

An attorney can help you in many ways during a dog bite injury claim, including:

• Answering your legal questions
• Negotiating with an insurance claims adjuster
• Identifying who is at fault
• Investigating your dog bite incident
• Helping you prove liability
• Filing an insurance claim on your behalf
• Taking your case to trial, if necessary

Who Might Be Also Liable for Damages After a Dog Bite?

Usually, in most dog bite cases the defendant is the owner of the dog, but there are certain exceptions. If someone else was controlling or keeping the dog, such as a dog walker or family member, that individual may be liable instead. Depending on the facts surrounding your case, the following parties may be held liable for damages:

• The Landlord
• The Dog’s Caretaker
• The landlord of a Commercial Property: If a tenant of a commercial property allows a dog on the premises and it bites a customer, the landlord might be held liable, even if he or she did not know that the dog was on the property.
• Property Owners: For example, an owner of a residential property can be held liable if a dangerous dog escaped due to a hole in the fence or another defect and an attack happens off-site.

Most Common Dog Bite & Animal Attack Injuries?

• Severe infections, such as rabies
• Nerve damage
• Eye injuries
• Back injury
• Traumatic brain/serious injury
• Facial scarring and disfigurement
• Amputation of fingers and nose
• Broken bones from falling due to an attack
• Psychological trauma

And these are just some of the damages a dog attack victim can face:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering/emotional trauma
• Lost future income
• Property damage as a result of the dog bite accident, such as broken glasses or a dinged bicycle
• Multiple or punitive damages, if the dog owner has been especially careless

If you do not have medical coverage, contact Workers’ Advocate Law Group personal injury attorneys immediately to protect your health. Without medical coverage, treatment can be expensive and almost impossible to get. We have the expertise and legal knowledge to sort through the twists and turns of a dog bite case and win you a fair settlement.

File your claim and schedule your free consultation in English or Spanish today. Count on an experienced lawyer from Workers’ Advocate Law Group who has extensive experience in fighting for their clients’ rights.