DOG BITE Attorney in Glendale, CA
Dogs are safe and protective pets to have in the home, but bite wounds from them could lead to a minor or life-threatening situation.
According to a study from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States every year, and 800,000 of those bites result in medical care being needed. Some common injuries from dog bites include puncture wounds, broken bones, scars, rabies, emotional trauma, face injuries, nerve damage, and more.
Whether minor or life-threatening, steps must be taken immediately if you have been attacked and injured by someone else’s dog.
Determining a Dog Bite Liability in California
Before taking any step, the dog bite liability must be determined, as this will increase your chance of receiving compensation for your injury.
You are given two years to file a personal injury claim for a dog bite against the owner’s insurance company in California. If you try to file a case after the two-year deadline, the court may have your case dismissed.
When it comes to dog bites, California is a ‘strict liability’ state; and this implies that a dog owner cannot escape blame for a dog bite incident by claiming that they had no idea their dog would attack someone else. This means that the owner may be held liable for all injuries and damages from the dog bite – even if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
According to the California Civil Code, section 3342, California’s dog bite statute declares that the owner of the dog would be held responsible if:
- The damage done was caused by a dog bite, and
- If the bite occurred while the victim was in a public place or was in a lawfully private place (this could include the dog owner’s property).
It is worth nothing that this statute only applies to injuries caused by dog bites. So, if the dog accidentally caused you an injury by scratching you, the California dog bite statute does not apply.
However, for a situation such as this, California’s negligence rules may apply, claiming that the dog owner failed to take the appropriate steps to prevent the dog from attacking others – even accidentally.
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“He clearly knows what he is doing, and in handling my case, he demonstrated very high professionalism. I would highly recommend this team to represent anyone who has suffered serious injuries from a car accident.”- Warren H.
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What to do After You’ve Been Bitten
Get Medical Help
You might need to administer first aid to the injury or call 911, depending on the severity of the dog bite. However, it is advisable to visit to a hospital immediately, especially if you cannot remember if or when you’ve had a tetanus shot and if you are not sure the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
Identify the Dog’s Owner
Finding the dog owner increases your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries, so you want to make sure you identify them. If it is a dog at large and you cannot locate the owner, calling animal control may help.
Document Your Injury
Document your dog bite accident by taking photographs and gathering witness statements. Have the eyewitnesses describe to you in detail what they saw and have them date and sign the statement.
Call Khachikyan Law Firm - Lemon Busters for Dog Bite Injury
Lastly, if you have been injured by a dog bite and are seeking to file a personal injury claim, leave no room for loopholes and call our law firm for help. Trying to sort out compensation, after filing a personal injury claim for a dog bite accident, may not be as straightforward as you imagine.
At Khachikyan Law Firm - Lemon Busters you will be assigned a professional attorney who will go above and beyond to deliver the best outcome possible from your case. Your attorney will:
- Gather evidence on your behalf; if you haven’t already,
- Reduce the amount of time you have to file your claim,
- Obtain your medical records and other necessary documentation to back up your claim,
- Advise you on the perfect time to file your claim for the best financial result,
- Negotiate aggressively with the insurance company on your behalf,
- Represent you in court if your case proceeds to trial, and
- Ensure you are duly compensated for your pain and suffering.
Most times trying to settle with the other party on your own may be overwhelming and can lead to frustration. If you or a loved one has been injured from a dog bite, do not wait too long; reach out to us immediately to get started on your case. We would be delighted to help!
