San Diego Dog Bite Attorney
Dogs can be our closest friends, and many owners consider them family members. When “man’s best friend” attacks, however, serious and life-threatening injuries can occur. In addition to causing pain, a dog bite can result in nerve damage or disfigurement. Dog bites can also become infected, putting victims at risk for illness or even death.
Fortunately, California law holds dog owners strictly liable for dog bite injuries and other damages caused by their pets. This is covered under insurance. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury, the personal injury lawyers at Bates Law can help you seek justice.
Injuries Caused by Dog Bites
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4.5 million people become victims of dog bites each year. Children and men are at the highest risk for dog bites, and over half of injuries occur with dogs that are familiar to the victim. The following are some of the most common injuries caused by dog bites:
Lacerations
Muscle tears
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Bruises
Abrasions
Dislocations
Facial injuries
Punctures
Tissue loss
Bone fractures
Sprains and strains
Scars
Infections
Nerve damage
Not only can dog bites lead to serious injury and infection, but death can occur as well. California had the highest number of dog bite-related fatalities in 2016. If you or a loved one has suffered one of the injuries above, having an understanding of the state’s laws on dog bites will be critical to your physical and financial recovery.
California Dog Bite Laws
The California Civil Code states that dog owners are held responsible for damages if a person suffers injuries due to a dog bite and the person bitten was in a public place or lawfully in a private place. In order for the statute to apply, the injury must have been caused specifically by a dog bite – not by another behavior, like jumping or scratching. A person who suffers a dog bite injury while a dog is performing police or military work typically cannot sue for damages in any scenario.
California has a “strict liability” statute for dog bites, which means a dog owner is liable for a dog bite claim regardless of whether the dog had ever acted aggressively or bitten anyone before. If you have suffered a dog bite, it’s important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. The personal injury lawyers at Bates Law can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and in some cases punitive damages.
Give us a call today at (619) 648-5554.
Below are just a few of Bates Law's many personal injury cases.
$200,000 POLICY LIMITS SETTLEMENT
Demand for Arbitration for a low impact collision resulting in less than $500 damage to our client's bumper. All case settlements results
