Have you suffered a dog bite in the state of California? If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, a qualified personal injury lawyer will help determine who is at fault, and will work hard to earn you the compensation you rightfully deserve. It can be difficult to determine liability in most personal injury cases, but when a dog bites an individual the owner is often held liable.

According to a study from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.7 million dog bites and attacks occur in the United States each year. What may seem like a minor injury at first may actually be rather severe. Dog bite injuries can lead to infections or serious injuries like broken bones or severe cuts and bruises. They are injuries not to be taken lightly, even if it was a friend or family members’ pet. You deserve to seek compensation for what you’ve suffered and the party at fault must be held accountable.

Dog attacks, and the circumstances surrounding them, including the role of the dog owner, can factor into the case. While it may be difficult to determine who is at fault for your dog bite injury, this is where a personal injury lawyer can help.

A “dog bite statute” is a state law that makes dog owners liable for injuries caused by their dogs, even if an owner didn’t know that the dog was likely to cause that kind of injury. More than half the states in the US now have such dog bite statutes.

What is California’s Dog Bite Statute?

California is one of the many states in the US that has a strict liability dog bite statute. Simply put, this means that dog owners are responsible for nearly all injuries their dog causes. If a victim sues a pet owner in order to seek compensation for the injuries they’ve suffered, it doesn’t matter whether or not the dog’s owner knew their dog had ever bitten someone before. Pet owners will not be able to defend themselves by saying they did not know their dog was dangerous.

Dog bite cases are complex. It’s essential that you consult with a dog bite lawyer in California in order to get quality legal counsel regarding what happened to you. You deserve to speak with a lawyer and get legal advice that fits your unique situation. At the Accident Network Law Group, we offer a no-obligation consultation for anyone who’s suffered a dog bite.

Is The Dog Owner Always Held Liable For Their Dog’s Bite?

There is no federal law that dictates how every state must treat dog bites, therefore it’s up to each individual state government to choose what’s best for its’ citizens. In the state of California, dog owners are held strictly liable for dog bites. Regardless of the dog’s history, the owner is responsible for the dog’s actions. There are some states in which a dog’s first instance of biting someone is “forgiven” in the eyes of the law. In those states, if a dog has no history of being violent, aggressive or dangerous, the owner of the dog is not held liable for their first bite.

In California, however, dog bite owners are held for their dog’s behavior via state law. It can be difficult or uncomfortable to form a lawsuit against a dog owner, especially if it’s a friend, neighbor, or even a family member. But it’s important to consult with a lawyer because a dangerous dog not only caused you or a loved one harm, but could continue to cause harm in the future.

It’s imperative that dog owners are confronted about their dog’s behavior. By consulting with a lawyer, you can team up with a professional and hold the dog owner accountable, while simultaneously seeking compensation for the injustice that you suffered.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Seek After A Dog Bite?

With the help of the right personal injury lawyer in California, you can seek compensation for the expenses you accrued after suffering from a dog bite. Your lawyer will assess the unique facts of your injury and create a strong case for your defense, describing to the judge in detail why you deserve compensation.

If you sought medical attention after getting hurt, you can seek compensation for the cost of your medical treatment such as hospital bills, prescription medication costs, doctor copays or the cost of rehabilitative care.

You can also seek to earn compensation for lost wages. If you’ve been injured and had to miss work to heal your injuries, or became disabled and were unable to work entirely, you deserve to seek money to cover the wages you couldn’t earn.

Additionally, in some circumstances the pain and suffering caused by a severe dog bite injury can be so severe that your life is no longer the same. Depression, anxiety, and debilitating mental health issues are equally as important as physical issues and injuries. In the event that you or a loved one suffered extreme pain and suffering after being bitten by a dog, you have the right to speak with a lawyer and seek compensation for your emotional damages and trauma.

The Accident Network Law Group Are Skilled In Defending Dog Bite Victims

If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, the most important thing you can do is seek medical assistance immediately in order to address your injuries. Secondly, the most important thing you can do is contact the right attorney. You deserve strong representation in court.

At the Accident Network Law Group, our legal network is committed to defending dog bite injuries and have combined decades of experience doing so. Not all personal injury lawyers in California have extensive experience defending victims in these situations, but we do.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to anyone who has been bitten by a dog. We take the time to discuss your injury in-depth, and will determine whether or not you have grounds to file a personal injury case. In the event that you do, we will tirelessly defend you in court and will work hard to earn you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Contact The Accident Network Law Group today to get strong legal defense regarding your dog bite injury.