Dog’s are one of the most popular types of pets. The majority of people have dogs at some point in their lives. Many dogs are trained and can follow basic commands; their owners are proud of their exceptional behavior. Other dogs can be problematic and unable to be trained. What dog is more likely to bite an innocent victim? Many people would be surprised to learn that any dog can bite—regardless of specialized training or behavioral characteristics. When dogs feel threatened, scared, or anxious, they might attack.
If you were injured by a dog bite, you must take legal action. Many people do not know that they have rights when they are injured by dogs. If you suffered a dog bite injury, you must speak to a Stockton lawyer who can give you information about your rights and the compensation to which you are entitled. The attorneys at Normandie Law Firm have many years of experience handling dog bite injury claims. Our attorneys will fight for you and your right to compensation—we will not rest until we win your claim.
In the following sections, you will find information that will help you understand your legal situation. Although you should find the sections below informative, you should not use the details provided as a substitute for a consultation with one of our attorneys. After treating your dog bite injuries, you must immediately contact our law firm.
California Dog Bite Laws
What California laws protect you? If you are injured by a dog bite, what laws will help your claim? California law is a strict liability state; therefore, dog owners are automatically liable for the injuries caused by their dog. Dog owners are only liable for bite injuries when the victim was in a public place or lawfully in a private place. That is, if the victim was trespassing and was bitten by a dog, the dog owner would not be liable. Likewise, if the dog scratched the victim or jumped on the victim and caused other injuries, the dog owner would not be automatically liable under California law. For more information on California’s strict liability for dog bite injuries, you must immediately contact our law firm.
Injuries Associated with Dog Bites
If you were bitten by a dog, you might suffer a few different types of injuries. These injuries can range in severity depending on the specific details of the dog attack. Some of the results of a dog bite can be found below:
- Infections
- Skin lacerations
- Scarring
- Severed limbs
- Nerve and muscle damage
- Death
Besides the physical injuries mentioned above, dog bite injuries can also leave victims dealing with emotional and mental effects. Victims of dog bites sometimes experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, fear, or depression, for example. If you were injured by a dog bite, you must immediately seek medical care; ensure that you keep all medical records and medical bills so that you can be compensated.
Compensation for Dog Bite Claims
What forms of compensation might you be eligible to receive if you file a dog bite claim? There are many types of compensation that might apply to your claim. The types of compensation available for your claim are listed below:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
- Burial and funeral costs
For information about the different types of compensation that you might be eligible to receive, you must immediately speak to our dog bite attorneys. Our dog bite attorneys will evaluate your claim and give you information about the type and amount of compensation you might be eligible to receive. The compensation available for dog bite injury claims depends on the specific details of a claim; therefore, you must speak to an attorney before you assume that you can receive every category of compensation listed above.
How to Prepare for Your Claim
To ensure a successful claim, you should ensure that you take the right action before filing your claim. How could you prepare for your claim? If you were bitten by a dog, you should try to identify the dog; you should identify the dog’s breed, color, sex, identification number, and any distinguishing features. You should also make a note of the location or approximate address where the attack occurred; if you do not know who the owner of the dog is, you might be able to trace the dog if it is registered to an address. You should also collect witness information if any were present. Witness testimonies will be essential for your claim. If you can identify the dog owner, you should request insurance information, as dog bites are often covered by renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance. You must also take photographs of your injuries—before treatment, after treatment, and after they heal. These photographs will demonstrate the extent and severity of your injuries. You must also file a dog report with the appropriate agency. Filing a dog report creates a record of your dog attack and creates a record of the dog’s aggressive behavior for future reference. If you ensure that you have done everything mentioned above, you should not have a problem filing a successful claim. For additional information, do not hesitate to contact our attorneys as soon as possible.
Statute of Limitations
How much time do you have to file your dog bite injury claim? If you were bitten by a dog and you are interested in taking legal action, you must have a thorough understanding of the time limits that apply to your claim. Based on California’s statute of limitation, victims of dog bite injuries have two years from the date of the injury to bring forth a claim. If you do not file your claim within the two years, you might lose your right to sue. Although the statute of limitations is a strict deadline, there might be exceptions to this deadline. For more information on any exceptions that might apply to your claim, you must immediately contact a Stockton lawyer.
Normandie Law Firm
Were you injured by a dog bite? If you suffered dog bite injuries, you might be able to file a lawsuit and receive compensation for your injuries. Under California law, dog owners are liable for the bite injuries caused by their dogs. If you are attacked by a dog, you can sue the dog owner. You must immediately contact a Stockton dog bite law firm for more information about your rights after a dog bite. The attorneys at our Stockton law firm have the expertise necessary to handle your claim and help you recover the maximum amount of compensation available. You must immediately contact our Stockton dog bite attorneys to get your legal process started.
Our law firm offers free legal services to every dog bite victim that contacts our law firm. Our law firm is based on the belief that every victim should have access to Stockton attorneys who have experience in dog bite injury claims. Our law firm offers free consultations and free second opinions to all victims of dog bite injuries. Our firm aims to make it as simple as possible for victims of dog bite injuries to speak to experienced Stockton dog bite lawyers. During our free consultations, our experienced Stockton dog attack attorneys are available to answer all your questions and address all your concerns. We guarantee that you will receive all the information you need to have a successful claim; our attorneys will give you all the details relevant to your claim. If you already have an attorney with another law firm, you might be interested in benefiting from a free second opinion. During our free second opinions, a Stockton lawyer with experience in dog bite lawsuits will review your claim and give you all the information you need. Our attorneys will give you all the information that might have been left out due to your previous attorney’s incompetence. Our attorneys will never rush through your claim, risking neglecting or overlooking key elements. When you speak to our attorneys, you can be certain that you will be our number one priority. Whether you want to start a claim or get it back on the right track, our skilled attorneys can help you.
Our free consultations and free second opinions are available through our Zero-Fee guarantee. Our guarantee ensures that our clients never have to worry about paying any upfront legal fees. If you were the victim of a dog bite injury, you can speak to an attorney in Stockton and file a dog bite lawsuit without ever paying for any legal services. Our law firm is also strictly based on contingency. Because of our strict contingency structure, our clients can be assured that they will not have to pay any legal fees until our lawyers have won their claims. Do not hesitate to contact our law firm; if you need to speak to a dog bite lawyer in Stockton, you must contact Normandie Law Firm as soon as possible.
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