Dog bites can cause severe injuries, including permanent scarring, nerve damage, deep puncture wounds, and lacerations. Victims may need to undergo a series of medical treatments and procedures to treat their injuries. The medical expenses related to dog bites are likely to be extensive, and victims may be unable to work throughout the recovery process. Fortunately, individuals in this circumstance may be eligible to file a claim for compensation for their injuries. A Long Beach dog bite lawyer could evaluate your potential claim and help you pursue fair compensation.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we know all too well how traumatizing the effects of a severe dog bite injury can be. You might experience substantial physical injuries as well as emotional suffering. Many of our previous clients have experienced similar situations and have been able to recover compensation from the dog owners and other responsible parties. Contact (800) 816-0755 to learn more about your rights to compensation when you have suffered a dog bite injury.
Dog Bite Injuries and Insurance Claims
As estimated by the Insurance Information Institute (III), individuals filed more than 18,000 dog bite-related claims with homeowner’s insurance policies in 2017 in the U.S. Furthermore, California was the state with the largest number of claims in 2017, by far, with 2,228 estimated total claims.
Fortunately for dog bite victims, homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies often cover dog bite injuries. Depending on the extent of the necessary medical treatment, however, medical expenses may exceed policy limits. This can make an already financially challenging time even worse for injury victims. Legal counsel can help determine the true value of your claim, as well as pursue the available avenues of legal action to compensate you for your injuries.
Liability of Dog Owners for Dog Bite Injuries
California law holds dog owners legally responsible for the costs of any injuries that their dogs inflict by biting others. Furthermore, under California Civil Code (CIV) §3342, injury victims do not need to prove that the dog owner was aware of their dog’s vicious tendencies to hold them accountable for the dog bite. Dog owners are liable even if their pet has never bitten anyone else. This level of liability, referred to as “strict liability,” makes dog owners automatically liable for any bite injuries that their dogs cause.
There are some limitations to this liability. Injury victims must be legally on private property or on public property when the dog bite occurred for the dog owner to be liable. For instance, dog owners would not be liable if a trespasser or intruder on their private property suffered a dog bite.
Injury victims are legally on private property if the property owner expressly invited them to be present on the property or implied an invitation. Likewise, if the person has entered the property under the authority of laws or postal regulations, that person is also legally on the property, such as in the case of a letter carrier.
Another explicit exception to strict liability for dog owners is for military or law enforcement officials who use dogs to carry out their official duties. If the dog bites someone in the line of duty, the law enforcement agency is not responsible for the bite injuries that the dog inflicted.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bites Lawyer serving Long Beach, call (800) 816-0755
Statutes of Limitations and Dog Bite Claims
All states place deadlines on dog bite injury victims to file claims against the dog owners or other responsible parties. These deadlines, or statutes of limitations, differ from one state to another and also differ according to the type of lawsuit involved. Under California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1, personal injury victims must file their claims against all potentially responsible parties within two years of the date that the bite or other injuries occurred.
State law does allow for some exceptions to the statute of limitations for dog bite claims. For instance, minors have until two years after their eighteenth birthdays to file their dog bite injury claims. Exceptions also exist to the statute of limitations if the injury victim is physically or mentally incapacitated. However, it is critical for injury victims to be aware of the general statute of limitations to avoid missing the deadline. Contact a Long Beach dog bite lawyer to learn more about how the statute of limitations affects your particular case.
Long Beach Dog Bites Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
Get Compensation for Your Dog Bite Injuries Today
A dog bite injury can cause physical and mental trauma that could impact the rest of your life. However, you do not need to bear the costs of your injuries alone. Dog owners are liable for injuries their dogs inflict, which means that they could be responsible for paying for your injuries and other related losses. A Long Beach dog bite lawyer could be able to analyze your circumstances and determine the most effective strategy for seeking compensation.
The medical costs and other expenses related to your injuries can be immense. This situation can easily create financial hardship for your family. In recognition of the difficult financial times that you may be facing, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm takes dog bite and other personal injury claims on contingency. As a result, you pay no fees out of pocket for us to get started handling your claim. We take our fees only after you receive payment. Call (800) 816-0755 to get started on the process of pursuing compensation for your losses arising from a dog bite injury.
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