Can I Sue A Store Owner If I Was Bit By A Dog?

Living in California, you know that many communities are very walkable, offering many opportunities for dog owners to take their four-legged friends with them on errands. So it is not uncommon to see many dogs accompanying their owners as you walk along the sidewalks, beaches, and parks of this pet-friendly state. In fact, you might even encounter leashed dogs in some of the stores you visit, such as the grocery, supermarket, department store, shopping mall, clothing store, or a big box store.

When the stores allow pets to be brought in, it is customary for them to require the animal to be on a leash or contained in a carrying tote or cage. But even when a dog is on a leash with its owner, the worst can happen. Sometimes, the dog could become overwhelmed by the people around them, feel threatened, or be on sensory overload due to the new sounds, sights, and smells. The result often is that the owner is unaware of the stress their dog is experiencing until it is too late and someone has been bitten.

If you recently suffered a dog bite while shopping in a local store, you will surely have many questions. And the most common one is if you can sue the store owner when you are bit by a dog in their establishment. This question and many others can be answered quickly when you contact Normandie Law Firm to request a free consultation with a dog bite personal injury lawyer. Our staff is available 24/7 to ensure you have the answers you need from the most reliable resource in the community. In addition, we are happy to schedule your free consultation with a dog bite lawyer to determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit and whom you can sue after suffering a dog bite in a store. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office today to learn more about who is liable for your dog bite injuries and how to seek the compensation you deserve.

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In California, Who Is Responsible For A Dog Bite?
Many residents in California understand the concept of premises liability and the obligation of a property or shop owner to provide a safe setting for their guests and customers. So you might think that by allowing a dog into their store, the shop owner is responsible for your dog bite injury. However, there is another law that supersedes premises liability when you are evaluating a dog bite personal injury.

California is a strict liability state when evaluating dog bites and liability for an injury caused by a dog. That means a dog’s owner is entirely responsible for any injuries caused by their dog, including a bite injury. In addition, the rule applies to the dog in all public and private settings. The only time a dog owner is not liable for a dog bite injury is if the person bitten was on the property illegally, such as an intruder, or they were injuring the dog when it retaliated.

So the answer to the most common question among dog bite victims is that they can sue for their injuries. But the person they will be suing in most cases is the owner of the dog, not the shop or store owner where the dog bite occurred. To ensure that these laws apply to your dog bite injuries, please get in touch with Normandie Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your dog bite with a personal injury lawyer.

Can I Sue If The Dog Bite Causes Minimal Damage?
It is vital to know that when a dog bites you, the severity of the injury is not a factor in your ability to sue the dog’s owner. The fact remains that you were bit, and you can sue for the expenses and losses you suffer due to the personal injury. But there is much more you need to understand about dog bites and their threat to your health.

Sadly, it is widely accepted that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s. But regardless of which mouth is cleaner, the dog’s mouth carries particular germs that can be life-threatening to humans. So any time you suffer a dog bite, it is crucial that you seek medical attention. The bite needs to be cleaned and evaluated to protect your long-term health. In some cases, even a minor bite can damage nerves and other soft tissue.

When a dog’s teeth break your skin’s surface, there is the potential for you to suffer from a few prevalent infections, including:

• Cellulitis
• Rabies
• Strep or Staph

You need to know that all of these infections are treatable and can be managed relatively effectively with fast treatment. So immediately after getting the dog owner’s contact information and requesting they provide you with the dog’s medical records, seek a medical evaluation to avoid an excruciating and possibly even life-threatening infection.

What Is A Dog Bite Lawsuit In California Worth?
When you consider the value of any personal injury lawsuit in the state, it is vital to understand that the value will be based on the losses and expenses suffered by the victim. The location where the dog bite occurred, such as the supermarket or a Gucci store, has little or nothing to do with the possible value of your dog bite lawsuit because you will be suing the dog owner, not the store.

To determine the possible value of your dog bite lawsuit, you will work closely with your legal team at Normandie Law Firm to compile all the expenses created by your dog bite injury. In cases where the bite and damage are minor, you will often only be compensated for the cost of your medical evaluation and treatment. However, if the dog bite is more severe, you can incur many more expenses. These costs often include:

• The cost of all current and future medical care to treat the dog bite, such as future surgery to reconstruct the area or graft skin
• The value of any personal property that was damaged or destroyed during the dog bite incident
• The amount of your lost wages if the injuries prevented you from working while you recovered
• Your legal fees for the preparation and litigation of your dog bite injury lawsuit from Normandie Law Firm

In cases with severe injuries and extensive recovery times, it is customary to include a dollar amount to compensate the victim for their pain and suffering. Your legal team will assist you in selecting an appropriate amount based on your injuries and similar cases they have handled. The goal is always to ensure that our clients receive the full and fair compensation they deserve for the injuries and pain they endured due to a dog bite or any personal injuries.

Critical Information To Gather
When you suffer a dog bite in a store or anywhere in a public area, there are sure to be other people who witness the incident. It is vital for you to gather contact information for any witnesses to the dog bite if your health allows. Or you could ask someone there to assist you by getting the information to contact witnesses if your injuries are too severe to do this yourself. Also, request the contact information of the dog owner, the name and contact details of the dog’s vet, and a picture of the dog. All of this information could be very valuable if you determine that you must file a dog bite personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner.

It is not uncommon for the dog’s owner to appear very agreeable and eager to help at the time of the incident. However, when you contact them to request they pay for medical care, they can often deny agreeing to pay any bills or other expenses. Having witnesses to the event and the actions of the dog owner can be very beneficial if there is a disagreement about liability after the fact.

How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit?
Personal injury victims have two years from the date of their incident to file a claim with the court. If the case is not filed in that time, you will lose the right to seek compensation for your dog bite injuries and losses. However, the lawsuit can be filed much sooner if you determine that you need the financial compensation to pay your medical and other expenses.

No Up Front Legal Fees
When you need an expert lawyer to represent you in your dog bite lawsuit, the staff at Normandie Law Firm is ready to help. Our expert dog bite lawyers have decades of combined experience and a stellar record for getting the most robust compensation allowed for our clients. In addition, we never charge any upfront legal fees or expenses to handle your case. We get paid only after we have secured the settlement or verdict funds you deserve. And if we fail to win your case, you owe us nothing. This is the best way to prove to our clients that their needs always come first at Normandie Law Firm.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office today to discuss the details of your dog bite incident and learn how our experts can provide the legal guidance you need to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

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