Were you or someone you love injured by a dog bite in San Jose, CA? You may be eligible for a monetary settlement or award from the animal’s owner and their insurance companies. In California, pet owners must follow strict liability laws and protect others from their animals’ aggressive tendencies. If the owner of the animal that bit you exhibited negligence in any way, you can hold them liable, and Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help.
The San Francisco dog bite lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm hold pet owners responsible when their animals injure our clients. We collect evidence proving their negligence, pursue them with a liability claim, and take on their insurance company if necessary to make sure you recover a full and fair monetary settlement. We believe our clients should only pay for results, which is why we never charge a fee until you get paid.
To receive a free, no-obligation case evaluation today and to learn about your legal options, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 816-0755.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury
If you get bitten by a dog in San Francisco, it is important to take the right steps afterward to ensure both the highest chance of a full recovery from the injury and a strong liability claim against the owner.
We recommend doing the following after a dog bite injury:
Get the Owner’s Information
If the owner of the dog is nearby, you should get their name and contact information, the same as you would another driver in a traffic accident. If they refuse to give it to you, try to identify them as best you can so that your attorney can track them down later. If the dog that bit you was a stray or was unsupervised, talk to witnesses in the area and get their contact information.
If you have already left the scene where the dog bit you and you don’t have this information, there are still things you can do to help your case.
Document Your Injuries
Take photos of the bite to have as evidence when pursuing a claim against the owner. It helps to have documentation of the severity of the injury before it starts to heal.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
You should get immediate medical care after a dog bite, even if you do not believe it was serious. You want to make sure the dog did not have rabies or another communicable disease. Also, a medical exam will tie the bite to your injuries, leaving no doubt as to the cause of the damages you suffered.
Speak With a San Francisco Dog Bite Lawyer
Once you have received medical care, contact a lawyer about your options for pursuing compensation.
What California Law Says About Dog Bite Liability
Under CIV § 3342, a dog owner can be held both financially and criminally liable for attacks or bites perpetrated by an animal under their care. Even if the bite or attack occurs in the owner’s home, the owner may still face liability if the evidence shows they did not do enough to protect an invited guest from the animal. When a dog bite or attack occurs in a public place, the owner can face liability even if the animal was on a leash. In addition to properly restraining a dog at all times, the owner must take an active role in making sure that it is not within reach of another person or animal that it might attack.
No matter how your dog bite injury occurred, the lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will thoroughly investigate the incident, determine how the events played out, and collect evidence showing why the owner was negligent in creating a situation in which the dog was able to bite or attack you.
In certain cases, there might be additional responsible parties beyond the owner of the pet. These parties may include a pet store or spa owner, a veterinarian or veterinary staff member, or many others.
A San Francisco dog bite lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will determine who the liable parties are for your dog bite injury, collect evidence showing their liability, and pursue them for full and fair compensation. We are eager to get to work for you right away.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bite Lawyer serving San Francisco, call (800) 816-0755
Your San Francisco Dog Bite Injury Compensation
In California, victims of dog bite injuries are entitled to both economic and noneconomic compensation. That means we can take on the responsible parties and their insurance companies not only for the actual financial losses you have incurred because of your injuries but also for the physical and emotional distress you have suffered.
We will put together a compelling claim on your behalf and pursue a full and fair monetary award. It may include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional anguish
- And more if you qualify
San Francisco Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
The Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits in California
Under California’s Statute of Limitations, you typically have two years to file a lawsuit over injuries suffered in a dog bite or animal attack. However, every case is different, and yours might feature unique circumstances that cause the deadline to be longer or shorter. A lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can examine your case and let you know of your rights and obligations. If we need to, we can file a quick lawsuit to keep the statute or any other important deadline from expiring.
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Call for a Free San Francisco Dog Bite Injury Consultation
A San Francisco dog bite lawyer can help work on your personal injury claim and protect your rights. There is never a fee until you recover compensation. To speak with a member of the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today and set up a free case evaluation, call us at (800) 816-0755.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form