Fear, protectiveness, pain, mistreatment, disease, and inadequate training are all reasons why a dog may attack and bite a person. Regardless of why, in almost all situations, victims can hold a dog owner in California legally responsible for their dog’s actions.
When you or your loved one suffers a dog bite in Calabasas, you can turn to a Calabasas dog bite lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for help. Our team can help you obtain financial compensation for a dog attack. Call us at (800) 816-0755 to set up a free consultation and learn about your legal options after a dog bite. Since we work on contingency, you will never owe us any fees unless you receive a financial award for your suffering.
California Has Strict Owner Liability for Dog Bites
In California, dog owners have strict liability for the damages their dogs cause if their animals bite someone, according to California Civil Code (CIV) §3342. This statute applies whether you suffer a dog bite on either public or private property, including the dog owner’s property. Whether the dog has a prior history of viciousness does not mitigate the owner’s responsibility.
The statute provides a few situations where a dog owner may not have liability for their animal’s attack. These exceptions include cases involving trespassing, law enforcement, or if your profession involves working with dogs.
You have two ways to recover compensation for the damages you suffer from a dog bite—an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit. Some dog owners have homeowners’ or pet insurance policies that cover dog bite claims. In most cases, you could receive compensation by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. If your loved one died from their dog bite injuries, you could also file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Recovering Compensation for a Dog Bite in Calabasas
The purpose of both insurance claims and civil lawsuits is to obtain reimbursement for losses you suffer because of someone else’s actions. Since dog owners have liability for their animals’ bites in California, you could receive financial compensation after a dog attacks you or your loved one.
You could recover both economic and non-economic damages resulting from the attack. Economic damages refer to compensation for your out-of-pocket expenses due to the bite, such as medical bills, lost income, and funeral expenses. Noneconomic damages compensate you for intangible losses, such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, impairment, the loss of enjoyment of life, and other losses.
A Calabasas dog bite lawyer can help you identify and calculate all the types and amounts of damages that you could recover after suffering from a dog bite. The legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can then help you pursue these damages, either by filing an insurance claim or a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. We can also manage the entire process so you can focus on your recovery. Reach out to our team today to learn more about your legal options and how we could help you obtain payment for a dog bite.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bite Lawyer serving Calabasas, call (800) 794-0444
There Is a Two-Year Statute of Limitations
If you hope to recover compensation for a dog bite through a civil lawsuit, you will need to file your case within two years of the date of the bite. California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 puts a two-year time limit on your right to pursue legal action through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
You might want to consult a lawyer as soon as possible after the animal attack to ensure you do not lose your right to recover damages.
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What to Do After a Dog Bites You
Many people suffer injuries every year from dog bites, and dogs can also transmit germs that may cause serious illnesses. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) reported that in 2018, over 316,000 people visited the emergency room to treat dog bite injuries.
If you or your loved one experienced a dog bite, you could take these steps to protect your rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately: If you have severe wounds, your first concern should be getting medical attention. While visiting a doctor is important for your physical well-being, having medical records of your injuries will also help you show that you deserve compensation.
- Report the injury: You should inform the dog owner and any applicable authorities right away after suffering dog bite injuries. California Penal Code (PEN) §398 mandates that the owner provide you their contact information and the name and license number of the dog that bit you. You should not speculate about the nature of your injuries when making your notification.
- Document the injury: In addition to seeing a doctor, create a record of the injury by taking pictures of the bite, its location, the dog, and anything else relevant to your claim. It is better to have too much information than too little. Write down the date, time, and place of the injury. If there were any witnesses, ask for their name and contact information so you can get statements of what they observed later.
- Keep a record of your losses: It is essential to record every expenditure related to your injuries to recover the compensation you deserve after a dog bite. Make a journal of medical expenses, the time you miss from work, and all other ways that the bite impacts your life.
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You Can Consult an Attorney After a Dog Bite Incident
The legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm stands ready to help after you suffer injuries from a dog bite. We can do the following on your behalf:
- Investigate the incident
- Gather evidence to prove your claim
- Manage all the necessary paperwork
- Communicate with insurance adjusters and the dog owner’s lawyers
- Negotiate for you to receive full compensation for your losses
Reach out to our team today at (800) 816-0755 to get started. We provide a free consultation with no obligation to continue your case, and our Calabasas dog bite lawyers work on contingency. We never charge you any fees unless we can recover a financial award for you.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form