What Are Your Rights If You Were Bitten By A Dog In California?

It’s no surprise that California has more dog bite claims than any other state, after all we love our furry friends. Insurers across the country pay out over $1 billion in claims related to dog bites on an annual basis. About a third of the monies paid out through homeowners’/ renters’ liability claims are related to dog bites or attacks. Some dog bites and attacks are so vicious, that it could leave a person with permanent scarring and disfigurement. These kinds of physical injuries require extensive medical treatment and care. If you were severely injured by a dog bite or attack, it is crucial that you call us at Razavi Law Group immediately at (949) 734-0476 to speak to an experienced dog bite attorney to help you decide your next best course of action.

Dog bite laws in California.

Dog bites are governed by Section 3342 of the California Civil Code. The code says that dog owners are strictly liable for any injuries their dogs cause. A dog does not have to have had a history of violent or aggressive tendencies before. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule such as taunting or provoking the dog first, being bitten while trespassing on someone’s private property, etc. Let our experienced injury attorneys at Razavi Law Group explain to you your rights.

Make an Animal Control Report

It is important to document the incident with the proper authorities. This will help you locate the owner’s at a later date, check to see if the dog is up-to-date with their vaccines and if the dog was involved in a prior attack.

Seek Medical Treatment

It is important that you see a medical professional immediately. Although there has not been a rabies case in years, it is important to obtain the right treatment to avoid any possible infections. On deeper lacerations, some doctors will avoid administering stitches because of the fear of infection.

Take detailed pictures and notes of what happened.

One of the most important aspects in a dog bite or attack case is to secure evidence as quickly as possible. As soon as it is safe to do so, take pictures of all your injuries. If there are witnesses around that saw the attack, get their contact information. If possible, take photographs of the dog and also the location of the bite or attack.

Remedies available to you in dog bite cases.

In a dog bite case, some of the most common damages award to the victims are:

Medical expenses

Pain and suffering

Lost wages

Physical therapy

Loss of the use of a limb

Counseling

Where applicable, a California court may even award a dog bite victim with large punitive damages (to punish the dog’s owner). An example of this scenario may be if a dog owner saw that an attack was occurring and did nothing to stop it.

The clock is ticking on your case. Call us today.

In California, you only have two years to file a lawsuit from the date of the dog bite or attack. The longer you wait, the staler your case gets. Each dog bite case is unique, because no two dog bites are the same. We do not take a cookie-cutter approach when it comes to evaluating our client’s cases. Let our experienced attorneys at Razavi Law Group fight for you and stand by your side.

Call us now at (949) 734-0476.