Man’s best friend isn’t so much a friend whenever a dog attacks you or someone you love. While you would never think that this would happen to you, it’s important to know that millions of people throughout the nation are victims to dog attacks each year.
Whenever this happens, it’s important to know how the law treats their cases in California and what your rights are to pursue compensation.
Dog bite law doesn’t have to be complex, and our Fullerton dog attack attorney at Pirnia Law Group is ready to help you safeguard your ability to take legal action where possible.
We have a firm understanding of California’s strict laws, the pain that a dog can cause, and what kind of compensation you can recover. We’re here to help you in any situation where negligence causes you harm.
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Here are the factors necessary to show liability after a dog bite:
If you’re able to show that the person trying to take legal action against you was trespassing on your private property when your dog bit him or her, this can serve as a great argument in getting the claim or lawsuit dropped. It’s vital to work with a lawyer who can help explain your rights.
Some of the most common injuries that occur as a result of a dog bite include the following:
It’s also important to understand what this compensation can cover after a dog bite:
Pursuing compensation is just one benefit of filing a lawsuit after a dog bite. You can also benefit from the ability to hold the dog owner responsible knowing that justice has been served. Taking legal action helps to set a standard regarding negligence. You show that dog owners cannot allow their dogs to attack people and there are civil consequences should they do.
There’s no telling what goes on in the minds of animals, but there are potential issues that may cause them to attack.
In some situations, it could be fear or provocation, or the dog is trying to protect her pups. In any case, proving cause doesn’t always become necessary when filing a dog bite case.
You must show that you were on public property or legally on private property and the dog bit you. There doesn’t have to be a history of aggression or signs of an attack. The owner is still liable.
While most attacks are the result of nipping chihuahuas, the most fatal dog-related attacks involve both pit bulls and rottweilers. These two breeds account for over 75% of all fatal dog attacks from 2005 through 2017.
These two types of animals are, unfortunately, notorious for their aggression, and it’s the way they bite that can cause significant harm.
A pit bull may strike and latch on, so any movements can result in skin tearing, punctures within the tissue and muscle, and more problems.
You don’t have to file a police report after a dog bite, but you should report the incident to the local county health officer who can come out and take a report of the incident. The law in California requires you to make this report so they health officer can investigate the dog further to determine the following:
Because California is a strict liability state, you are subject to a potential claim or lawsuit once your dog bites someone who is either on public property or has legally been invited on your property.
It doesn’t matter to the courts if your dog has never bitten anyone before, if the plaintiff can show that he or she suffered injuries because of your dog, you can be held liable for compensation.
Typically, this goes through your homeowners insurance or renter’s insurance. You should be sure to have a dog bite defense attorney helping you protect your rights.
At Pirnia Law Group, our Fullerton personal injury lawyer works hard to help you understand your rights. We’ll take a look into the case to determine where negligence arose and who is liable for your harm. We’re committed to providing you with the highest level of care after such a difficult situation.
We can help handle your case on a contingency fee basis, only taking payment if and when we win on your behalf.We focus on staying trial ready, even if your case is set to end in settlement. We’ll do whatever we can to help you feel confident throughout the process and pursue the maximum compensation possible.
Let us be your guide through the most complex matters.