Wine tours are much more than a visit to your local winery to sample its finest varieties. Many people make an entire day of it with family and friends, and these outings are meant to be educational opportunities more than anything else. You will be guided through vineyards, learn about the season’s harvest and see how the wine is produced before you are invited to sample the final product.
Many wineries also have animals on-site, similar to a farm with livestock. Some of them have animal sanctuaries on the property, so it’s not unusual to see horses, donkeys, cows, and mules at a winery. Most of them also have dogs and cats roaming around, and visitors generally enjoy interacting with these animals as they stroll through the rows in a vineyard.
However, there are situations where an animal – both pets and livestock – lashes out and causes serious injury to an innocent victim. These include animal attacks like dog bites and deep scratches, as well as accidental injuries caused by overexcitement (jumping on someone, for example). However you are injured at a winery, it’s essential to speak with a lawyer who can advise you of your rights as an injury victim. That’s why we invite you to contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation.
Can I Sue the Winery for being Injured by an Animal on the Property?
If you were harmed by an animal that the winery owns or has assumed responsibility for, then yes, you may have grounds to sue the business for monetary compensation. So, if you were bitten by the winery owner’s dog, California’s dog bite laws allow you to sue the owner, even if the dog has no prior history of biting or showing aggression. If you were taunting or attacking the dog or trespassing on the property, those are circumstances that would invalidate your right to compensation. Other than that, you are entitled to medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other qualifying damages.
One area of complexity has to do with animals that are owned by someone other than the property owner. For instance, maybe a guest of the owner has brought their horse, dog, etc., and this is the animal that attacked you. Or, maybe there is a stable or animal rescue on site, and one of these animals got loose and knocked you over. In that case, you may have to sue the owner of the pet, even if the location of the accident was the winery. But if the winery owner assumed care of the animal (like at an animal sanctuary), then they have assumed liability in the event of someone being injured. Thus, it’s the owner that would normally be in charge of compensating you for the incident.
From these examples, you can see that figuring out which individual to go after in a lawsuit is a complicated matter. Rest assured that we have what it takes to determine who is liable for the harm you suffered and secure every penny you deserve from a wine tour animal attack injury claim.
Average Value of a Dog Bite or Animal Attack Incident
Though it’s hard to come up with an estimate range, we know that many of the claims at our law firm are settled for over $50,000, with the most severe injury cases resulting in $2,500,000 or more. There are many factors that contribute to how much you can receive for being attacked by an animal. How badly you are injured and the impact on your physical and emotional health is the most important issue. But the owner’s negligence (to what degree they caused or contributed to the incident) is crucial as well, and this factor alone can enhance the value of a claim by several hundred thousand dollars. If you would like to learn the approximate value of your lawsuit, don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule a free case review.
Statute of Limitations to File an Accident Injury Claim
A lawsuit for injuries caused by someone’s pet or animals kept on the property must be filed no later than 2 years of when the incident occurred. The courts only grant extensions in rare, extreme circumstances, meaning that you are generally prohibited from suing if you are past the deadline of 2 years. We know how overwhelming it is to deal with insurance claims, settlement negotiations, and paperwork from the court when you are recovering from an animal attack. Allow us to take the burden off your shoulders by taking care of the legal process from start to finish. To learn how we can assist you in a claim for injuries caused by animals at a wine tour, please give us a call.
How Long it Takes to Settle an Animal Attack Lawsuit
Claims that are based on relatively minor injuries can be settled within 6 months, while more serious cases will probably take 1 or more years. Because of the strength and bite force of these animals, victims can end up with severe injuries that lead to nerve damage, permanent scars and other permanent health issues. Owners and their insurance companies are generally interested in paying as little as possible, and our goal is to overcome their arguments and secure the highest settlement on your behalf. How long it will take to do that can be anywhere from 6 to 18 months, and even longer in the event your case is tried in court. Trials are very unlikely, however, as we are able to settle over 95% of all personal injury claims at our law firm.
Contact an Animal Attack Injury Lawyer
Our legal team is here for you day and night if you were injured by an animal during a wine tour. To ensure that you understand your rights and legal options, we will provide you with a free consultation. If you feel that moving forward with an accident claim is right for you, we will take immediate action to investigate the incident and build a solid case for liability by the winery. Then, we will use the skills we have acquired in the past several decades to bring you maximum payment for your injuries.
As for how much you need to pay us, you don’t need to worry about that at all, as we are a contingency-based law firm. That means your settlement from the winery includes the cost of legal fees, which we only receive by winning your case. On top of this, our Zero Fee Guarantee policy provides you with the assurance that you pay absolutely nothing if we don’t recover your payment.
Contact us today and talk to a wine tour accident injury attorney as soon as possible.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Wine Tasting Accident Injury Lawyer In California
Farmer Boys Slip And Fall Injury Lawyer
P. F. Chang’s Slip And Fall Accident Injury Lawsuit In Los Angeles
