California Dog Bite Lawyers

OUR CALIFORNIA DOG BITE LAWYERS INVESTIGATE CLAIMS

Dog bite statistics reveal how common animal attacks can be, and, unfortunately, California is the leader in this trend.

An Insurance Information Institute study shows that cost of dog bite attacks in California reached $122.83 million in 2019. Additionally, the number of fatalities from dog attacks is rising.

Since these attacks usually involve children who are injured on the dog owner’s premises, dog bite lawsuits can be extremely emotional. Often, the dog owner is a neighbor, friend, or family member.

As a result, you may feel pressured to avoid filing a dog bite claim for fear of ruining a close relationship. However, in most cases, you can collect much-needed compensation through an insurance claim.

If you have questions, then our California dog bite lawyers can help you avoid broken relationships while still getting the compensation you deserve.

Ultimately, dog owners have a responsibility to control their pets and protect innocent people from harm.

A California dog bite lawyer can investigate the details of your accident and discover what evidence can help support your claim. At the Solano County law firm of Wells Call Injury Lawyers, we have the experience you need.

We have recovered hundreds of millions for past clients in a wide array of personal injury cases, including premises liability claims for dog bites.

What are the Consequences of a Dog Bite or Dog Attack in California?

Not all dog bites or attacks are serious. Some people do not require medical care in emergency rooms.

However, as we stated, the CDC’s estimates suggest that one in five dog bite victims require medical care. Many of those victims are children and seniors.

The possible consequences of a dog bite or dog attack include:

• Infection. This is one of the most common health risks associated with dog bites. In the worst-case scenarios, infections can lead to other major health problems, such as organ failure, tissue death, and amputation.
• Disfigurement. Dog bite and attack victims can suffer soft tissue damage and disfigurement. This type of injury can also compound the mental health conditions that may occur after a dog bite or dog attack.
• Mental health conditions. Dog bite victims, especially children, can suffer from mental health conditions for years after the attack. Post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD, is a possible health outcome after a dog bite or attack.

The injuries listed above can cost a person millions of dollars in damages over the course of a lifetime. For instance, someone with severe disfigurement is going to have a more difficult time finding and maintaining employment.

Attack survivors may also suffer medical bills due to their injuries.

Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite According to California Law?

A dog attack claim can be as involved and complex as a car accident claim, depending on the circumstances. However, unlike some other states, California’s dog bite law is relatively straightforward.

There is no “one-bite rule,” which generally absolves a pet owner from liability if the animal had no history of violence. Instead, California law follows the doctrine of strict liability for dog bite claims.

This means that the pet owner is liable for any injuries and damages caused by their pet as long as a few conditions are met.

These are:

• The owner’s dog bit you. Strict liability applies only to bite cases – if someone’s pet harmed you by jumping up and knocking you over, for example, then you would have to prove negligence for a successful claim. However, a bite, even a bite that does not pierce the skin, does not require that you demonstrate that the owner was negligent.
• The bite happened in a public place or while you were legally on private property.

Even if strict liability does not apply to your particular case, the dog owner may still be liable for your injuries and damages.

Always contact a qualified California dog bite lawyer for advice about your unique situation.

Can You Sue for a Minor Dog Bite?

Yes, you may be able to file suit and recover damages after suffering a minor dog bite. California follows the strict liability doctrine, as noted above. Therefore, the dog owner is liable for any damages.

Keep in mind that you ought to get a full understanding of your injuries before deciding that they are minor. For example, you may discover that you are still having pain a long time after the dog bite has happened.

Dog bites are each categorized differently. It is a good idea to get a sense of where your situation might fall. One common way to categorize dog bites is by arranging their severity in six different levels:

• Level 1: This is a minor type of bite. It usually involves growling and barking.
• Level 2: This is also a dog bite on the lesser end of the spectrum. This does not puncture the person’s skin but can leave nicks.
• Level 3: A level three bite is equivalent to one to four punctures from a single bite. The bite results in a puncture no deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. 
• Level 4: This means that the victim suffered one to four punctures as well. Additionally, at least one puncture is deeper than half the length of the animal’s canine teeth.
• Level 5: In a level five dog bite, there is a multiple-bite incident involved. 
• Level 6: The sixth level leaves the victim dead.

Do You Have to Report a Dog Bite in California?

In California, you do have to file a report if there is a dog attack. In fact, not only do you need to file a report, but you have to contact your local health department.

Take note that there are consequences if the dog owner flees the scene. If the person having custody over an animal knows that their dog bit someone else, they must give the other person their contact information. 

If the dog must get a vaccination by law against rabies, the owner of the dog has to give the person who was bitten information about the animal’s vaccinations.

If they fail to do so and leave the scene, they may be fined up to $100 under California law.

Can You Sue a Dog Owner for Their Dog Attacking Your Dog?

Under California’s strict liability laws, the biter’s owner is responsible if their dog bites another dog. You should ensure that you get the owner’s contact information if this happens. It is possible that you can recover compensation for your damages. 

Feel free to reach out to our empathetic lawyers today for assistance filing your dog bite personal injury claim.

What Compensation Can a Dog Bite Attorney Pursue in California?

Often, victims of dog attacks are children. In addition to being emotionally traumatizing, the incident often results in severe physical injuries and disfigurement.

A child’s face is often at the same level as a dog’s muzzle. As a result, there is ample opportunity for the animal’s teeth to do serious damage.

Our attorneys have decades of experience representing the victims of dog bites and dog attacks. We can fight for the compensation your child needs for medical care and psychological counseling.

Generally, we pursue compensation for medical tests, ER visits, surgeries, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering. However, we can also pursue the money he or she will need for any future reconstructive surgery.

Doctors may recommend waiting until your child reaches a certain age before performing plastic surgery. That is why it is so important to obtain the money now that your child may require down the road.

When you file a dog bite injury claim, you are not requesting money from the dog’s owner. As a rule, you are pursuing money from his or her insurance company.

Thus, even if your injuries were caused by a friend or family member’s dog, you should pursue compensation. However, negotiating with insurance companies can be difficult.

A California dog attack lawyer can handle all the details to process your claim as quickly as possible. In most cases, we can negotiate a settlement, which means you would not even need to go to court.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Dog Bite in California?

There is not necessarily an “average” settlement for dog bites in California. This is due to the fact that every single claim involves different facts and circumstances. Nonetheless, a personal injury attorney at our firm can work with you to get a better sense of the value of your claim.

If you need a knowledgeable California dog bite lawyer, reach out to us for more information today.

Consult Our California Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation

The lawyers at Wells Call Injury Lawyers can help you determine your possible legal options after a dog bite or attack.

We offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe fees unless we recover compensation. Moreover, we have several physical offices in the areas we serve: Fairfield, Napa, Richmond (two offices), Vallejo, Woodland, and Vacaville.

Since 1984, our injury attorneys have recovered over half a billion dollars for our clients. Our compassionate team of lawyers is here to help you get the best possible results.

To schedule a free consultation, call us at (707)-302-8029 or use our online case review form.