I Was Attacked By A Dog But Not Bitten, Can I Sue?

As the victim of a dog attack, you are sure to have many questions and concerns. It is understandable to be upset and even have emotional issues after such a traumatic event. And when you also suffer injuries because you fell or the dog physically knocked you down, the stress can be compounded by costly medical bills. But the most critical thing to remember is that your health is always the priority. You should seek a complete medical evaluation to determine the level of your injuries and the best treatment to reach a full recovery as quickly as possible.

Once you have gotten the treatment you need to ensure your health or life is not in danger due to the dog attack you suffered, please get in touch with Normandie Law Firm. Our staff of dedicated and compassionate personal injury lawyers will answer all your questions related to injuries sustained during a dog attack. And if you have grounds for a dog attack injury lawsuit, we will advise you to file a claim with the court system.

Our dog attack injury lawyers are available 24/7 to ensure you have all the information you need to make wise choices about your future and protect your rights as a personal injury victim. In addition, we welcome you to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers to discuss the case in detail. This is the best way to have a complete understanding of your rights, the laws related to dog attacks, and if your claim has legal merit. And the information is free to any victim of a dog attack in California. Don’t hesitate to contact Normandie Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation.

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Understanding Strict Liability As It Relates To Dogs In California
California is what is called a strict liability state when it comes to determining liability for injuries caused by a dog. What that means for dog owners and anyone injured by a dog is that the dog owner is almost always liable for any harm or damage caused by their dog. The only exceptions to this law are when the victim of a dog bite or dog attack injury is on the property illegally or they were injuring the dog when it attacked them.

For example, if a prowler comes onto someone’s property, breaks into their home, and gets bit by the property owner’s dog, the property owner is not liable for the dog bite injuries. The bite victim was not invited to the property and was there illegally, so the dog bite is not the property owner’s responsibility. Likewise, if a person is trying to break into your home and your dog runs at them and knocks them down, causing them to be injured, you, as the property owner, are not liable. The intruder had no legal right to be on the property, so the dog attack was warranted. Finally, if a person is beating or abusing a dog and the dog retaliates by biting or attacking the person and knocking them down, the dog’s owner is not liable for any injuries the dog caused.

Applying Strict Liability To Your Case
If you are attacked by a dog, not bitten, but knocked down and injured, in most cases, the dog’s owner will be liable for your injuries and losses. As long as you were not illegally on the property where the attack occurred and were not abusing or injuring the dog to provoke it, you could have grounds to sue the dog owner for your injuries. Of course, the best way to be sure your case has legal merit is to contact Normandie Law Firm for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer.

What Is A Dog Attack Injury Lawsuit Worth In California?
The value of any personal injury case, such as a dog bite or attack incident, is based on the losses and expenses incurred by the victim. You will work closely with the legal team at Normandie Law Firm to compile all the costs and losses created by the dog attack to determine the amount of your claim. In the typical personal injury claim, the costs included will fall into one of the following categories:

• All current and future medical expenses to treat the injuries suffered in the dog attack
• The value of any personal property that was damaged or destroyed when the dog attacked you
• Your lost income if you were unable to work while recovering from your injuries
• The cost of your legal fees from Normandie Law Firm for the preparation and litigation of your California dog attack lawsuit

If your injuries were severe or required an extended recovery time, including a dollar amount to account for your pain and suffering is standard. Your legal team will help you determine an appropriate amount for pain and suffering based on previous cases they have handled with similar injuries or recovery times. Our goal is always to ensure that our clients receive the total and fair compensation they deserve for the damages and losses they suffered.

Common Dog Attack Injuries
When you think of a dog attack, the first injuries you imagine are typically bite injuries. However, if the attacking dog lunged at you, it is also very likely that you could suffer severe injuries in your fall. While some of these injuries could be minimal such as scrapes or bruises, others could be significant, such as:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Puncture wounds with damage to internal organs or internal bleeding
• Dislocated joints or damage to the soft connective tissue of joints
• Soft tissue injuries to muscle or nerves
• Facial injuries to the skin, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or teeth
• Head injuries that could include a concussion, skull fracture, brain hemorrhage, brain contusion, or other traumatic head injuries

In addition to these physical injuries, it is vital to understand that not all the damage caused by the dog attack is visible. Many dog attack victims suffer emotional and mental health issues due to their experience. The trauma of the attack can cause the victim to feel excessive guilt, anger, shame, fear, or anxiety. In some cases, the victim can also suffer extreme depression or PTSD. Learning to cope with these injuries can require the care of a counselor or other professionals to recover from the trauma of the dog attack. The cost of these treatments and emotional care after a dog attack can all be included in your claim against the dog owner, as they are medical expenses.

Gathering Valuable Information After A Dog Attack
It is always a good idea if your injuries permit you to gather information before seeking medical help. Get the contact information for any witnesses of the attack and the dog’s owner. Also, take pictures of any visible injuries you suffered when the dog attacked you and knocked you down. And finally, ask to take a picture of the dog for your records. All of this information could be vital to securing the compensation owed to you should you be forced to sue the dog’s owner for your injuries. Even when the dog owner appears helpful and agreeable at the scene of the attack, their attitude can change when you provide them with the amount of your medical bills or other expenses they have agreed to pay.

How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit Against The Dog Owner?
Personal injury victims have two years from the date of their injuries to file a lawsuit. If you do not have the claim filed with the court, you will typically lose the right to seek compensation from the dog’s owner for the injuries it caused. However, there is no limit regarding how soon the claim can be filed after the injuries. So you can seek guidance on the best time to file your claim from your expert personal injury lawyer at Normandie Law Firm.

When You Need The Best Dog Attack Lawyer In California
After a traumatic dog attack, it can be hard to think about anything but the fear you felt. However, it is vital for you to seek counsel from an expert dog attack lawyer to ensure you understand your rights. The staff at Normandie Law Firm is always ready to provide the information and assistance you need to seek justice for your injuries.

In addition, we are happy to handle any dog attack lawsuit with legal merit with no upfront legal fees or payments from you. We understand that you could be facing many financial hardships after your attack, and our priority is getting you the settlement or verdict you need to move past this upsetting and likely painful time. So we only get paid for our services after we have brought you the compensation you need to pay your legal fees and other expenses created by the dog attack. And if we do not win your case, you owe us nothing.

These payment policies are in place because we believe that every dog attack victim and every person who suffers a personal injury deserves access to the best legal representation possible. Your financial position should not dictate the quality of your lawyer. Please don’t hesitate to contact Normandie Law Firm today to learn more about your rights as a dog attack victim and how our team will work diligently to protect them and your future financial stability.

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