Like many places in Los Angeles County, San Gabriel is a dog-friendly city where residents can enjoy many activities with their pets. That also means dog owners must take extra care to ensure that their dogs are well-behaved and do not hurt anyone. Getting bitten by a dog can lead to injuries such as nerve and muscle damage and deadly infections like rabies. It might take you a while to recover physically, emotionally, and financially from the attack.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you seek compensation for the expenses resulting from the dog bite. A San Gabriel dog bite lawyer can provide answers to your legal concerns. For more inquiries, call our office at (800) 816-0755.
San Gabriel Dog Owners are Strictly Liable for Bites
The California Civil Code (CIV) §3342 states that dog owners are fully responsible for dog bites if they occur in public spaces or private places where the victim was legally present. For instance, they would be liable if their dog bit someone in a park or the street. Visitors to the dog owner’s property could also take legal action if they got bitten. This not only pertains to guests who were invited into the premises. It also means those who were doing their job lawfully, such as a postman delivering packages.
The state also does not follow the one-bite rule found in common law, which only puts the owner at fault if the dog had already bitten someone else.
Exceptions to the Rule
However, there are circumstances where the dog owner or handler will not be liable for the bite. One is if the victim deliberately provoked the dog into attacking them, and another is if they were trespassing on the owner’s property. San Gabriel’s law enforcement agencies are also exempt from liability if their dogs bite someone in self-defense or while apprehending suspects, protecting other people, and other types of police or military work.
Other Dog Laws that Could Apply to Your Situation
While the state’s strict liability law already holds the dog owner accountable, you may still want to check if the dog owner acted negligently in other ways. It could help further prove their fault and get you a better settlement, especially if you had other injuries besides the bite itself. For example, dogs in Los Angeles County, including San Gabriel, must have rabies vaccinations once they are four months old, according to Los Angeles County Public Health. Other local pet laws include requiring licenses for dogs and keeping them leashed at all times when in public areas.
A San Gabriel dog bite lawyer studies the dog-related laws in San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, and California. Aside from helping you understand them more clearly, the attorney can also investigate if the dog owner violated any of them to help you win. To consult with the office of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, you can call our team members anytime.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bite Lawyer serving San Gabriel, call (800) 794-0444
Getting Compensated for Your Dog Bite Injury
Strict liability means that the San Gabriel dog owner has to pay for your bite injury costs, which are your economic damages. They include medical expenses such as anti-rabies injections, surgeries, and prescription drugs. If a loved one died from the bite, you could also receive payment for funeral and burial expenses. You may also recover pain and suffering or non-economic damages, which can mean emotional trauma, disfigurement, or disabilities.
There are generally three ways you can obtain compensation for the dog bite. The first is with a third-party claim with the owner’s homeowner insurance provider—if they carry one. This coverage helps pay for your injury-related expenses. However, some insurance companies will not cover certain breeds they consider dangerous. You may have to check first if the owner’s insurer has blacklisted their dog’s breed.
Another way to get compensated is with a dog bite lawsuit. Instead of dealing with an insurance company, San Gabriel’s civil court will officiate the proceedings and review your evidence. They will determine how much the dog owner should pay you, even if it entails using personal finances.
The dog owner may also propose to settle matters privately to avoid going to court. However, you might want to make sure that the amount they offer is sufficient for covering all the costs. A dog bite lawyer could help you negotiate with the other party or present your case in court to persuade the jury. They can also assist in the tasks involved in forming your dog bite claim or suit, such as searching for evidence or processing any required legal documents.
San Gabriel Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
File Your Dog Bite Case on Time
Your San Gabriel dog bite lawsuit follows the same statute of limitations as other injury lawsuits throughout California. The California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §335.1 states that you have up to two years to file your dog bite suit. It would be best to get started as soon as possible, as the court dismisses cases that exceed their time allowance. However, there might be some exceptions to this rule.
A dog bite lawyer can help determine your lawsuit’s exact deadline by checking for these exceptions. You can also finish filing your case on time with a dog bite lawyer’s help.
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We Are Ready to Help Seek Justice
Dog bite injuries can potentially lead to expensive and life-threatening complications. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is here to assist with your situation. We have San Gabriel dog bite lawyers who can provide legal counsel and negotiate on your behalf until you receive the settlement owed to you.
Our law firm has worked on personal injury cases throughout California and the rest of the U.S. for over 30 years. Besides dog bites, we can also work with clients on nursing home abuse, workplace accidents, and defective products. For answers to your legal questions, call us at (800) 816-0755. The legal team will evaluate your case free of charge.
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