How many times do you come across a dog while going about your daily routine? Most of us encounter a dog at least once a day, either on a leash or behind a fence or in some other capacity. It comes as no surprise that dogs are the number one pet of choice in Fresno and other cities in California. These animals have lived in harmony with human beings for over 10,000 years, and they play a variety of roles in our lives, from cherished companions to guardians of families and livestock.
Some dog owners invest the right amount of love, training, and supervision into their pet, while others are neglectful. But when it comes to the possibility of a bite or some other attack by a dog, it’s easy to let your guard down around a dog that’s well taken care of. However, it’s not just stray dogs on the street or ones that bark ferociously behind fences that can cause harm.
All dogs, for one reason or another, have the potential to hurt people and other animals. And they are not always aggressive; dogs can bite out of fear and anxiety, even if it has nothing to do with the person they attack.
Did you or someone in your family suffer injuries from a dog bite incident? If so, we can help you explore the option of filing a dog bite lawsuit against the owner. To speak with a dog bite lawyer in Fresno, contact our law firm immediately. We have a proven track record of recovery on behalf of injury victims, and we are more than ready to fight for your interests.
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Understanding California’s Dog Bite Laws
You may think of going to a doctor after being bitten by a dog, but what about legal advice from an attorney? California has strong and comprehensive dog bite laws that protect those who are injured by someone else’s pet. Liability for injuries caused by pets is established in California’s Civil Code section 3342. Under the statute, owners are generally liable when their dog causes harm to another individual, whether the incident occurs in a public place or a private property.
Certain restrictions apply that can free the owner of liability. For example, if your injury was minor, like a couple of superficial scratches on your arm, this may not be enough for a dog attack lawsuit. Or, if the dog bit you because you were trespassing on private property, it’s likely that the owner will not be blamed for the dog’s actions. But these are just examples, and each case must be examined on its own to determine if the victim is entitled to compensation.
Dog Bite Injuries You can Sustain
Some dog bites are superficial and cause minimal harm, but others are serious enough to inflict permanent damage. This can happen even with small dogs, so you should never assume that your condition is nothing to worry about. To get a sense of what can happen when you are attacked by a dog, here are just some of the injuries you can end up with:
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Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
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Damage to muscles, ligaments, and other underlying tissue
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Severe infections (sepsis, tetanus, etc.)
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Permanent nerve damage
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Scarring and other forms of disfigurement
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Broken bones
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Missing fingers
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Loss of consciousness (coma)
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Death
Aside from physical injuries to your body, you may have mental health issues that make it difficult to function normally in your day to day life. It’s quite common for those attacked by dogs to have PTSD, which manifests in various ways, including panic attacks, depression, insomnia, and mood disorders. That’s why it’s important to seek medical care right away and talk to a therapist if you notice mental health symptoms indicative of trauma from a dog bite incident.
Monetary Damages in a Dog Bite Injury Case
If your case meets the eligibility requirements for a dog bite incident claim, you have the right to ask for compensation from the animal owner. As someone who sustained injuries from someone else’s dog, you may be wondering what types of payments you can ask for. Though you will need to confirm this information with a personal injury lawyer, here are the damages that may be available:
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Medical expenses, including on-going / permanent medical costs
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Lost wages, or in the case of severe, disabling injuries, lost earning capacity
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Emotional distress
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Pain and suffering
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Property damage
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Legal fees
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Punitive damages
Aside from injury victims, family members of those who die from dog attack injuries may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Known as a wrongful death lawsuit, this is a legal action where surviving loved ones can seek payment for damages like funeral expenses, loss of consortium, loss of expected savings, and pain and suffering. Our team of legal experts can help you file a claim for wrongful death benefits and ensure that you are fairly compensated.
How Long Do I have to Sue for Injuries from a Dog Bite?
Making sure to file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations is critical when you are in need of compensation for medical bills and other expenses. Even if you have solid evidence that someone else is at fault, you will not be allowed to go forward with a claim if you are past the statutory deadline.
California law requires that you file a lawsuit no later than 2 years of the incident date. Just in case, it’s a good idea to speak with a dog attack lawyer and verify the correct deadline for a claim. It’s possible that you may longer to sue the owner, but as a general rule, a dog bite lawsuit needs to be filed within 2 years.
What You Should Do after a Dog Bite Incident
If you are bitten by a dog, it’s essential that you build a strong foundation for a legal case right from the start. You should, of course, get medical treatment for your injury in order to establish medical records. Here are some other steps that can help you succeed in a lawsuit for monetary damages:
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If the dog has not run away, make sure it is restrained by the owner or someone else at the scene. If the owner is not around, contact the police or animal control immediately.
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If the owner is available, get their contact information, like their phone number, address, and email. Make a note of what the dog looks like, including its breed, size, markings, sex, and if they have an ID tag. Also, try to get the owner’s home or renter’s insurance info, which may include coverage for dog bites.
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If anyone saw what happened to you, ask for their contact information as well.
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Contact the Environmental Health Division’s Rabies and Animal Control Program to file a report of the incident. Aside from creating a record of potentially aggressive dogs, such incident reports serve as evidence in a dog bite claim.
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Take photo of your injuries if you can before you receive medical treatment. This is the best way to capture the type and severity of bodily harm that was inflicted on you.
Finally, make sure to contact our law firm and seek legal advice from an experienced dog bite lawyer. We are committed to handling every step of the legal process, thereby allowing you to focus on your health and spending time with your loved ones.
Lawyer that Specializes in Dog Bite Injury Cases
Here at Normandie, we understand how bites and injuries inflicted by a dog can impact your health and finances. That’s why we are passionate in our commitment to injury victims and fighting to recover maximum payment on their behalf.
If you decide to hire us for a dog bite lawsuit, you will receive the Zero Fee Guarantee. That means you pay $0 for the entire duration of your case, and we wait until the issuance of your settlement check to obtain legal fees. Under this arrangement, you have the assurance of knowing that you will not be asked to pay if we don’t recover your damages.
The process begins with a free case review, so contact us today and speak with a dog bite attorney in Fresno.
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