A Support Dog Bit Me, Can I Sue?

As more information has become available and more understanding is shown for those struggling with emotional issues, emotional support animals have become more widely recognized. However, when seen in public, these animals are often confused with service animals. And while the owner could feel that their support animal is doing the same job as a service dog, there are other significant differences that the public must understand.

Service animals are highly trained and certified by the Americans With Disabilities Act. However, there are no training requirements or certifications needed to designate a dog as an emotional support animal. So the public needs to understand that these dogs are not trained to handle some of the stressful and confusing public situations that service dogs are trained to understand and manage in a safe manner. In addition, support dogs do not qualify for the many exemptions, or the special treatment service dogs enjoy in many public settings.

Sadly, the combination of the lack of training and misunderstanding of the public means that many support dogs are at the center of many questions after a dog bite incident. The dog bite victim is concerned about their health and safety, the cost of possible medical care, and even their ability to sue the dog owner. And many of the witnesses of these sad events are also concerned about who is responsible and how these incidents can be prevented in the future. The team at Normandie Law Firm has the answers to all of your dog bite liability questions and is happy to provide them during your free consultation.

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What Is An Emotional Support Animal?

Unlike service dogs that undergo rigorous training, emotional support dogs typically do not have any more training than the average pet. These dogs are a tool that helps the owner feel more comfortable or relaxed in a situation just by having the dog present. The dog performs no duty or service other than their impact on the owner’s feelings.

In addition, it is essential to know that these dogs do not have the same access to public spaces as service dogs. They are not usually allowed in areas that are not open to all dogs. So while the service dog can accompany its owner into a restaurant, the support dog would not be permitted unless there was an outdoor, dog-friendly dining area.

Finally, like service dogs, support dogs fall under all the same dog bite laws as any pet dog in the state. So if you are in a public setting, an airport, a restaurant, or on the street and are bit by a support dog, you have the right to sue the dog owner for your injuries and losses, just as you would any dog owner.

Understanding California Dog Bite Laws And Strict Liability

As a strict liability dog bite state, California dog owners assume the responsibility for their dog’s actions almost exclusively. This includes pets, service dogs, and support dogs. Any time a dog bites a human on public property, the dog owner is responsible for the damages unless the bite victim abuses the dog or injures it.

When on private property, dog owners are responsible for any damage caused to a legal guest or visitor to the property. Only people on the property illegally and get bit have no legal right to sue the dog owner for damages. As an example, if your dog bites a prowler who is unlawfully on your property, you, the dog owner, are not legally liable for the cost of the victim’s medical bills and losses due to the dog bite.

Vital Information About Dog Bites

Sadly, many dog bite victims are quick to overlook the seriousness of a dog bite injury. They believe that unless the injury needs stitches, there is no need to seek a medical evaluation. However, the laceration or damage to the skin is only a part of the hazard of a dog bite. Even healthy dogs, with all their shots, carry germs and bacteria in their saliva and mouths that are harmful to humans. Just a tiny puncture of the skin can allow the bacteria to enter your body and begin to take its toll.

While rabies is typically the illness most associated with a dog bite, it is uncommon in pets and other dogs that have proper care and vaccinations. However, even the most pampered pets can carry bacteria that will cause cellulitis, strep, staph, and blood and bone infections. If left untreated, these infections can quickly become life-threatening.

So regardless of how minor or gruesome a dog bite appears, they all require an evaluation by a medical professional. It is the only way to ensure your health. And in almost every case, the owner of the dog will be responsible for paying your medical costs resulting from a dog bite. So get the care that will ensure your safety.

Why You Need Normandie Law Firm After A Support Dog Bite Injury

In a perfect world, dog owners would take full responsibility for the actions of their dogs. But sadly, we do not live in a perfect world. So the expert personal injury dog bite Lawyers at Normandie Law Firm are here to help dog bite victims get the justice they deserve for their injuries. The free consultation is just the beginning of the services offered to ensure dog bite injury victims get the compensation owed to them for their injuries and losses.

From explaining the Statute of Limitations of two years for a personal injury case to the process of filing a claim with the court system, our staff has the information and answers you need. We know you are most concerned with the time required to file a lawsuit and get the money you need to pay bills and expenses related to your dog bite injuries. And we are here to do everything we can to make the process as rapid and straightforward as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a time for the completion of your case. But we can pledge never to stop working diligently to get the money you need to move past this upsetting and potentially costly event. We are here by your side for every step of the process and ask nothing in return until we have successfully completed our job for you.

What Is The Value Of A Support Dog Bite Lawsuit?

The Normandie Law Firm staff understands how the expenses related to your dog bite injuries and other costs can create significant financial challenges in your life. However, we also know that these bills are someone else’s responsibility and should not fall on your shoulders. So we will do everything we can to help you collect all the documents needed to ensure that you are fully compensated for your losses due to your dog bite injuries. Some of the expenses that can be included are:

• All your medical bills for the care of the dog bite injuries
• Your legal fees for filing the lawsuit against the dog owner
• Any lost wages if you were unable to work while recovering or that you lost while attending medical appointments related to the dog bite injuries
• An amount to represent your pain and suffering

For justice to be served, you need to be able to move past your dog bite injuries with no added debt. The dog’s owner should carry all that burden so that you can resume your life with no added financial challenges. The team at Normandie Law Firm will work diligently to ensure that is the outcome of your dog bite injury lawsuit.

We Don’t Get Paid Until After You Get Paid

The team at Normandie Law Firm is proud to offer our expertise and guidance to injury victims with no upfront fees or out of pocket expenses. We understand that you are facing many challenges after your injury, and your focus should be on healing and returning to your normal life, not worrying about legal bills.

In addition, there is no better way to demonstrate our confidence in our ability to win your case than to work for free until we reach our goal. So you owe us nothing if we do not secure the verdict or settlement you deserve for your injuries, losses, and suffering. This is not a slogan or gimmick that is qualified in some fine print on a contract. It is how we do business because it is what we believe our clients deserve.

So if you have been bit by a support dog and need to understand your rights and how to protect them, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Normandie Law Form today. We are here to take your call 24/7 and can begin to work on your case as soon as you decide that a personal injury lawsuit is the best way to protect yourself and your financial future. The consultation is free, and so are all of our legal services until we get you the money you deserve for your injuries and losses due to a dog bite injury in California.

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