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Dog bites can cause serious injuries. A dog’s teeth may break the skin and create a wound that requires stitches. A bite might damage nerves, cause severe pain, and affect a person’s sensation in the affected area and in other parts of the body. An individual who has been bitten by a dog might need to undergo one or more surgeries to repair the damage and could be left with permanent scars.
An Alhambra dog bite lawyer may be able to help you seek justice for your pain and suffering. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has represented clients in California and across the United States who were injured because of the negligence of others. We may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner and pursue a financial award to compensate you for your losses. Call our office today at (800) 816-0755 to discuss your case with a member of our staff.
Consequences of a Dog Attack
If you suffered a dog bite, you might have been faced with a severe injury and expensive medical bills. The bite might have left you unable to work for a period of time. If you have returned to work, you might still be suffering from pain and limited mobility and could be struggling to perform your duties. You might also be unable to perform household tasks and participate in activities that you used to enjoy.
The time that you missed at your job, on top of the medical expenses, might be causing you to suffer financially. You and your spouse may be falling behind on your mortgage payments and other bills.
You could also be suffering emotionally because of the attack. Being bitten by a dog can be a terrifying experience, and you might be having nightmares or suffering from anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.
California Laws on Dog Bites
In California, the principle of strict liability applies to dog bites. This means that the owner of the dog that bit you can be held liable, regardless of whether the dog had bitten anyone in the past or whether the owner was aware of past aggressive behavior or knew that the dog was potentially dangerous.
The owner can only be held strictly liable if you were bitten in a public place or when you were on private property and had a legal right to be there. You will not be entitled to compensation if a dog bit you while you were trespassing on private property. You also will also not be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit if a police or military dog bit you while it was working or defending itself.
Dog Owner Liability
California Civil Code (CIV) §3342.5 requires the owner of a dog that has bitten a human to take reasonable steps to protect other people from danger. If a dog has bitten someone on two separate occasions, or if a dog that has been trained to fight, attack, or kill has bitten a human, the owner is responsible for ensuring that the dog no longer poses a threat to other people.
Dangerous Pets
California also has laws that specifically address steps that owners of potentially dangerous dogs must take to protect others from harm. According to California Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) §31642, dog owners are responsible for keeping their pets restrained and on their own property or within their own control. This can be in the form of keeping the dog indoors, in a fenced yard, or on a leash.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bites Lawyer serving Alhambra, call (800) 816-0755
How Can an Alhambra Dog Bite Lawyer Help You?
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can review the facts to possibly determine who was liable for your injuries. We could interview you and anyone else who was present at the time of the attack. Our staff might also find out if a surveillance camera at a home or business or if someone’s cell phone recorded the attack.
Collecting Evidence
If you were in a public place or were lawfully in a private place, such as the dog owner’s home, and the dog bit you without provocation, we may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the owner. The dog’s owner might try to evade responsibility by claiming that you did something that provoked or frightened the dog. That is where testimony from witnesses and video footage may be critical in helping us determine who was liable for the bite.
Determining Liability
Even if you were partially liable for your own injuries, you might still be entitled to financial compensation. California is a pure comparative negligence state. That means that a person who has been injured may be entitled to compensation, even if that individual was partially liable for the harm that he or she suffered. A financial award that you would have been entitled to had you not shared any liability for the dog bite can be reduced to account for your percentage of fault.
Negotiating a Settlement
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can often negotiate a settlement with an attorney representing a defendant in a personal injury case. This option can allow both sides to avoid a long and expensive trial. If we are unable to come to an agreement, however, we will take a personal injury case to court to pursue justice on behalf of a client. Contact the law office to speak with a member of our team and get the help of an Alhambra dog bite lawyer.
Alhambra Dog Bites Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
Contact an Alhambra Dog Bite Lawyer
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has sought justice for people across the United States who suffered because of the negligence of others. We may be able to seek financial restitution for your losses. Keep in mind that California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 sets the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit at two years. If you miss the deadline, you might be unable to receive a financial award for your losses. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 to discuss your case with a member of our staff and set up a consultation with an Alhambra dog bite lawyer.
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