El Centro is the hub of a very agriculturally rich region that produces over $1B in food items each year. Residents in the community account for around 45,000 of those who enjoy this scenic and peaceful area. There are many outdoor activities thanks to the mild climate, making it ideal for walking to local parks, markets, and events. However, when out enjoying El Centro, it is vital for everyone to be aware of the canine population and the potential for an encounter that could result in an El Centro dog bite injury. Sadly, these incidents occur more than most people would expect and can result in severe trauma and harm to the victim.
If you or a loved one recently suffered a dog bite in El Centro, please know that the staff at Normandie Law Firm is just a phone call away and is ready to take your calls around the clock. The office staff will provide as much time-sensitive information as possible while also scheduling your free consultation with a seasoned EL Centro dog bite injury lawyer to further explore the facts of the case. This is a service our firm provides to all personal injury victims to ensure they understand how the legal system can allow them to protect themselves and their loved ones from excessive debt and other challenges created due to dog bites and other personal injuries.
Once you have shared the details of the dog bite incident and your injuries with your Normandie Law Firm El Centro dog bite injury lawyer, they will explain the legal merit of the case and if you have grounds for a lawsuit. In most dog bite incidents, there is there is little question about the right to seek compensation for the losses and expenses created when someone else’s dog bites you. With this valuable and insightful information, you will be ready to begin making choices about your future and pursuing legal action that will help cover the costs created by the harm you suffered. Rest assured, you will never be obligated to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog that bit you or hire Normandie Law Firm, even if you later decide to file a claim with the court.
All we ask is that you contact Normandie Law Firm today to discuss the case and the time remaining to hold the dog’s owner accountable for the harm caused by the animal, as there is a time limit for you to file a lawsuit.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$1.1 Million
$1.4 Million
$600,000
$525,000
$1.2 Million
California Is A Strict Liability State
You might have heard that California is a strict liability state regarding dog bites. But like much of the legal jargon you hear from other legal professionals, the statement is not really clear about what that means for you, the dog bite injury victim. In simple terms, the owner of a dog in this state is almost always responsible for any losses or harm caused by the animal. That is because the person is legally obligated to always remain in control of the dog. The various forms of controlling the dog include walking them on a leash, keeping them in a fenced yard they cannot escape or on a chain, or keeping the dog inside and contained. In addition, when the person is in public and has the dog on a leash, they must be able to control the dog and stop it from causing any harm to others in the area.
There are only two exceptions that remove the responsibility from the owner when a dog bites someone, which include:
- If a person is trying to abuse or hurt the dog and suffers a dog bite when the animal is trying to protect itself, the dog’s owner is not liable for the harm and losses of that bite victim
- If a person is trespassing and is unlawfully on private property, such as a burglar, and suffers a dog bite when the animal is protecting the property of their owner, the dog’s owner will not be held financially responsible for the harm caused by the dog
These are the only two times a dog’s owner is not expected to prevent their dog from biting someone. In addition, the person who is either illegally trespassing or attempting to harm the dog is responsible for provoking the animal and the bite injuries. Unless you were involved in these illegal acts when you suffered an El Centro dog bite injury, you likely have grounds for a dog bite injury lawsuit in El Centro and need to reach out to Normandie Law Firm today to learn more about proceeding with legal action.
What Everyone Should Know About All El Centro Dog Bites
Sadly, most people are unaware of the significant risk of an illness or infection after even a minor dog bite. They do not grasp that all dogs carry certain bacteria in their mouths that are not harmful to them but can cause a human to become very ill. Even if the dog is in perfect health, there is still a great potential for them to cause a bite victim to become very sick, even if the bite only breaks the skin enough to allow a single drop of saliva to enter the victim’s body. After such an incident, the victim could face a bone or blood infection or suffer from cellulitis, strep, or staph. These are all very serious and can be fatal if not treated quickly.
In addition, if the dog is a stray, there is a good possibility that the animal has not been vaccinated and could carry rabies. After any dog bite, it is vital for the victim or a family member to locate the dog’s owner and get their contact information and the name of the vet who treats the dog to verify the animal’s medical history. If you are unable to obtain this information, you might face a series of shots and medical treatment that is very painful and costly to ensure you suffer no long-term illness due to the dog bite injuries. Please do not hesitate to contact Normandie Law Firm after getting the medical treatment needed for your dog bite injuries to learn more about your rights as a dog bite victim.
What Is The Possible Value Of My El Centro Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit?
After suffering injuries due to an El Centro dog bite incident, you are sure to be worried about your health and the cost of any treatment needed for the injuries you suffered. But please understand that the team at Normandie Law Firm will not be able to provide you with a value for your lawsuit until they have gathered more information. Any firm that is willing to quote an average compensation amount for a dog bite injury lawsuit is not providing truly accurate information that pertains to you and your injury incident.
All victims of dog bites and personal injuries must know that there are no predetermined compensation amounts awarded by the court for specific injuries or incidents. Instead, the court will evaluate the actual losses and expenses incurred by the victim due to the dog bite injuries they suffered. Working with your El Centro dog bite injury lawyer at Normandie Law Firm, you will gather all the documentation to confirm the allowable expenses you suffered that are used in this valuation process. The items typically used include but are not always strictly limited to:
- The cost to replace any personal property that was damaged or destroyed in the El Centro dog bite incident
- Your lost income if the harm you suffered in the dog bite incident prevented you from working at your regular job until you were fully healed and cleared by your medical care provider to return to the duties of your job
- The cost of all legal services to prepare, file, and litigate your El Centro dog bite injury lawsuit
- The cost of all current and projected future medical care needed to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate or reconstruct the damage from the dog bite incident
In cases that result in significant injuries and require a lengthy recovery time, the victim is permitted to seek added compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the dog bite injuries. However, this is not a documented amount, as are your other bills and lost income, so you will turn to your Normandie Law Firm dog bite injury lawyer to assist you in selecting a fair and reasonable amount for this aspect of the compensation. They typically refer to recently completed cases with similar injuries and details to ensure they recommend an amount that will be considered appropriate by the court.
How Long Do I Have To Take Legal Action?
The time limit to file your El Centro dog bite injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury incident. If the case is not filed when the time limit expires, you lose the right to pursue legal action via a lawsuit to get compensation for this incident. In addition, there are very limited exceptions that would provide added time to file a lawsuit once your time limit has passed. Please reach out to Normandie Law Firm today to discuss the case and the time remaining for you to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog that bit you in El Centro.
No Upfront Legal Fees
When you hire Normandie Law Firm to handle your El Centro dog bite injury lawsuit, we never ask for upfront payments; we only get paid after the case is completed. In addition, if your Normandie Law Firm El Centro dog bite injury lawyer fails to win the case and get you the compensation you deserve, you owe the firm nothing for its time and investment in preparing the lawsuit. Please get in touch with the office today to learn more.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Brawyley Dog Bite Attorney
Imperial Valley Dog Bite Injury Attorney
Amazon Delivery Driver Dog Bite Injury Lawyer