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California Dog Bite Laws – Protect Your Rights to Compensation

California Dog Bite Laws – Protect Your Rights to Compensation

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 5 individuals bitten by a dog will require medical care. Regrettably, even small dog bites can result in medical concerns that could require expensive medical treatments and have a negative impact on the victim’s life. Unbeknownst to many, dog bites can not only cause pain and injury; many bites often spread germs that result in serious infections.  

Common Injuries Resulting From Dog Bites

When filing a personal injury claim for a dog bite, it is important to understand the full scope of the injury before agreeing to a financial settlement. A majority of dog bites cause disfigurement and will need costly treatments such as surgical procedures and ongoing medical attention. 

The CDC reports the following: 

  • 48.2% of all dog bite injuries occur on a person’s hand or arm
  • 27.5% of all injuries occur on a person’s leg or foot
  • 24.3% of all injuries occur on a person’s head or neck
  • 64% of injuries in children under 4 years of age occurred in the neck or head region. 

Even when the physical damage is minor, many victims are often left with severe emotional distress associated with the attack and/or disfigurement. The following laws serve to protect a victim’s rights to compensation following a dog bite. 

California Civil Code Section 3342

The State of California has a strict dog bite law that for the most part will make dog owners automatically responsible for the damages their pet has caused another when the attack occurred in: A public setting, While the injured person was lawfully in a private premises, or Was lawfully in the canine owner’s property .

Under this law, the dog owner will be held liable regardless of whether the canine had a previous record of attacking another or showed signs of aggression. This statute has facilitated a victim’s opportunity to obtain restitution for his or her injuries following a dog bite. 

Dog Owner Liability

Under California’s dog bite law, the injured victim may or may not be required to demonstrate that the owner was careless or negligent in order to recover damages. This is because of California’s strict liability laws. In certain cases, even if the dog owner took precaution such as have the pet on a leash and placed the pet in training, the owner will still be held accountable for the injuries. 

California’s Personal Injury Claim Statute of Limitations

California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 states that a victim will only have two (2) years from the time of the bite to file a personal injury claim. According to this statute of limitations, even if a victim has a valid claim, failing to abide by these time limitations will invalidate a claim. 

Available Damages Following a Dog Bite

Depending on the events surrounding the dog attack, the canine’s owner may be required to cover the following damages: Medical costs, Treatment, Loss of wages, Surgery costs, Pain and suffering, and Physical therapy.

As previously mentioned, many dog bites can have long-term consequences. In order to obtain the restitution you deserve, it is important to seek medical attention and maintain treatment. This will support a just settlement in a personal injury claim.

Fight for Your Rights Following a Dog Bite – Consider Speaking to a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney

For many individuals, dogs are considered to be members of their family and because of this, the dangers that a pet can pose onto others are often overlooked. Unfortunately, history has shown that even the most docile canine can attack even if it is unprovoked. In the State of California, it is the responsibility of dog owners to keep their pets out of circumstances where the animal could hurt another person.

If you or someone you love has recently been the victim of a canine attack, it is important to seek the legal advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer. A skilled attorney will review the case and defend your rights and interests. With the support of a qualified attorney, you may be able to recover the compensation you deserve to recuperate.

The dog bite attorneys at R. Steven Peters - Injury & Accident Lawyers are highly skilled and experienced in fighting for the rights of individuals who have been injured as a result of a dog bite. Personal injury claims involving dog bites are complex and can different elements to prove a case. If you or someone you love was recently injured by a dog, it is important to act quickly.


About the Author:

R. Steven Peters - Injury & Accident Lawyers


R. Steven Peters - Injury & Accident Lawyers has represented people injured in accidents for over 30 years.Orange County Personal Injury AttorneyOur Orange County injury lawyers have succeeded in many challenging cases, ranging from soft tissue injuries to wrongful death. We bring the same high level of dedication and professionalism to each case. We know that, in many ways, each client’s future depends on our work. Our mission is to assure complete client satisfaction, from the initial client consultation through the resolution of your case. Our goal is to help each client obtain the right medical care and maximum compensation.Tustin, CA Car Accident LawyersAt R. Steven Peters - Injury... View full business profile here: R. Steven Peters - Injury & Accident Lawyers





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