Dogs can be man’s best friend, but there are instances when they are not. These creatures are still animals, and they can be unpredictable, whether they are provoked into an unfriendly bite or not.
Untrained or violent dogs can become a menace to people in public situations. If the dog’s owner is not holding the dog back, and the dog attacks a person in Glendora, California, the dog’s owner could be held accountable and sued for damages.
Dog owners in California need to adhere to California Civil Code (CIV) §3342, which explains that a person is legally liable for the injuries their dog causes if the animal bites someone in an incident that takes place in a public place or lawfully in a private place. This applies whether the owner was aware of the dog’s viciousness or not, and it also applies to any incident that takes place on a dog owner’s property.
If someone else’s dog bit and injured you, then you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the dog owner for compensation. A Glendora dog bite lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to support you in recovering damages for your losses. Contact our firm at (800) 816-0755 to discuss your accident with one of our team.
Dog Injuries in California
When dogs bite, they can cause serious bite injuries, puncture wounds, and possibly rabies or another kind of infection in humans. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), nearly 2,400 claims for dog bite injuries were recorded in the state in 2019. That is the highest number in the country and almost double over Florida, which holds the No. 2 spot. These dog bite injuries cost the state time and money, too. An average cost per claim in California was about $51,000 in 2019.
Liability for Dog Injuries
So when a dog attacks a person at a dog park, a playground, or on the street in Glendora, California, what legal recourse does the dog bite victim have?
There are strict liability laws in California, as noted earlier. It clearly states that pet owners are responsible for any injuries caused by their pets. The state does not bend the rules if a dog owner argues that the dog has never acted in this manner before. But the statute states that the dog owner is liable for damages to the injured person if the person was bitten in a public setting or lawfully in a private place, like someone’s yard.
Even if the dog’s teeth did not puncture one’s skin, a dog owner could be held liable for this “bite.” These cases can become complex if you try to fight them on your own. For this reason, you might be interested in seeking counsel from a Glendora dog bite lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. We can help you seek damages on your behalf against the accountable dog owner. Call us today to set up a free consultation where you can learn more.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bites Lawyer serving Glendora, call (800) 794-0444
Support Your Claim with Evidence
If you are thinking about pursuing legal action for a recent dog bite injury, you can help us prepare your case by thinking about the incident and answering some questions about the attack.
- When and where did the attack occur?
- Was the dog that bit you on a leash?
- Did other people see the dog bite happen? Having the contact information for someone who saw and recognized the accident can help later on in a civil lawsuit with a written statement. This is especially helpful if the dog owner says the incident never happened.
- Did anyone else locally share stories of the troublesome dog from earlier attacks? Finding a pattern of viciousness in the dog and its owner could help settle a personal case.
Ideally, having all this information when you call us for your free consultation can help us gather information quickly so that we understand what happened. We want to work with you to seek justice against the dog owner for any serious injuries you have suffered from the dog attack.
If you are considering legal action, note that you have two years from the incident date to file your case in civil court, per California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your chance to pursue compensation for your medical bills for your injuries and other losses. We can file your case on time and handle all necessary paperwork and communications for you.
You have the option to contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm and learn more about working with a Glendora dog bite lawyer as soon as you are well enough to speak with us about the dog bite incident. Call us at (800) 816-0755 to discuss your dog bite incident with one of our team.
We can help you understand the laws in your case and answer any questions or concerns you have. We work on contingency, which means we charge you no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs to start work on your case. We collect payment only if we win a financial award for you. Call today so that we can start on your case today.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form