If you were injured in a dog attack in Hermosa Beach, California, you might be able to recover compensation for your financial and emotional losses through a claim against the dog’s owner.
You do not have to go through a legal claim alone. The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm might be able to help you get what you deserve for your injury. A Hermosa Beach dog bite lawyer from our team can handle your case and hold the dog’s owner accountable for your losses.
Feel free to call a team member from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not take any payment until you get the compensation you deserve.
California Dog Bite Liability Law
In California, dog bite injury victims can recover their losses through personal injury lawsuits against dog owners. Under the California Civil Code (CIV) §3342, a dog owner is responsible for any injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether they knew the dog could be dangerous.
Other states follow a “one-bite rule,” which allows dogs to bite someone once before their owner is liable for someone else’s injury. However, California victims do not need to prove the dog’s former viciousness to show that they deserve financial compensation.
You only need to prove that you were in a public place, you were a guest on the owner’s property, or you were legally doing your job on the owner’s property. For example, if you were in a public park when a dog bit you, the owner would be responsible for your losses. On the other hand, if you were trespassing when the dog bit you, you would most likely not be able to hold the owner responsible for your damages. If this was the case, you still might benefit from consulting with a law firm.
We do not turn down tough cases like these. No matter how the dog bite occurred, you can still benefit from calling Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free consultation. We might recommend that you hire us to file an insurance claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
What a Hermosa Beach Dog Bite Lawyer Can Do for You
While you are recovering from a dog bite injury, a California dog bite lawyer can take on your legal claim to get you a settlement. Here is how a lawyer will work for you:
Build Your Case
A dog bite lawyer will gather all of the evidence needed to prove that the dog owner is liable for your injuries and expenses. This will include eyewitness accounts of the incident, statements from you and the dog owner, medical records, and more.
They will also compile all of your expenses to determine how much you deserve in compensation from the liable party. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dog bite victims need to seek medical attention following the attack. This can be stressful for the person and their family, both emotionally and financially.
You could receive financial awards for the following economic losses:
- Medical bills
- Lost past and future wages
- Lost earning potential
- Property damage (if something broke in the attack)
You might also be able to recover compensation for non-economic losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
If a loved one passed away from dog bite-related injuries, you might also be able to recover funeral and burial expenses.
Negotiate a Settlement with the Appropriate Parties
Your dog bite lawyer will then take their case they developed with the applicable losses you deserve and negotiate a settlement.
The first step will be to contact the liable party’s homeowner’s insurance company, which will most likely cover dog bite injuries. Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance adjuster to reach a settlement that fairly compensates you for your losses.
If the dog’s owner does not have homeowner’s insurance, they might request to settle independently of the court or insurance companies. In this case, your lawyer will work with them to get you a settlement.
Argue for a Judgment at Trial
In most civil cases, the two parties settle before ever having to file a lawsuit. On the off chance that the negligent dog owner or their insurance company refuses to adequately compensate you for the dog bite, your lawyer might suggest filing a lawsuit and taking your case to trial.
Keep in mind that each state has a different statute of limitations—the time the courts allow you to file a civil lawsuit against the negligent party. California’s statute of limitations for dog bites is two years from the date of your injury, according to the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1.
Your lawyer can help you ensure that your lawsuit is filed within the statute of limitations. Otherwise, the court could dismiss your claim and not allow you to recover compensation for your losses.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bites Lawyer serving Hermosa Beach, call (800) 794-0444
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one were a victim of a dog bite in Hermosa Beach, California, you should not have to suffer the financial and emotional consequences. You might be able to hold the dog’s owner accountable for your losses.
A Hermosa Beach dog bite lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm wants to help you and your family seek compensation and justice for what happened to you. We can help you investigate, build your case, and win you a settlement.
For more information on dog bite injury law, call a member of our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755. You never have to go through a legal claim alone when there is help available to you.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form