Due to their friendly and social nature, dogs are the ideal pet for many people. However, these animals require training and constant supervision to ensure that they do not cause harm to an innocent victim. Even if a dog is just playing around, people can be injured if the dog unexpectedly jumps up and knocks them over. Unfortunately, many owners refuse to take these incidents seriously and claim that the dog is just being friendly. But the law doesn’t require intent when it comes to an injury that’s caused by a dog. Even if the dog didn’t mean to knock you down, the owner is still responsible for your injuries.
If you have been injured from being knocked over by a dog, our lawyers can help you file a lawsuit and receive the funds you’re entitled to. However, there is a limited amount of time to seek monetary damages for your accident, so please don’t delay in giving us a call.
Injuries from being Knocked Down by a Dog
Knockdown dog injuries are comparable to those associated with slip and fall and trip and fall accidents. The most serious risk of harm comes from large dogs that can easily knock someone over by jumping on them. Dogs can also jump on or in front of a bike, which can knock the person off the seat and send them hurling to the ground.
However, even smaller dogs can cause injury if they jump on an unsuspecting child, senior citizen, or someone with a disability. When someone falls over from being knocked down by a dog, they can suffer from:
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Hip / pelvic fracture
- Nerve damage
- Scarring / disfigurement
- Knee injury
- Ankle sprain
- Hand / wrist sprain
- Chronic pain
Compensation may be available to help you with the recovery process, or to cover your future losses if you sustain permanent damage. To take immediate action on an injury claim, speak with a knocked over by a dog injury lawyer at our office.
Can I Sue the Dog Owner for my Injuries?
If you’ve been knocked over by a dog, you have the right to sue the owner under California’s strict liability laws. Essentially, the laws state that owners are responsible for their dog’s actions, “regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” That means the owner cannot defend themselves by saying their dog is super friendly, or that they’ve never hurt anybody before. Even if their dog was scared by something and lashed out, the owner can still be responsible if their dog knocks someone over.
However, the dog owner may not be the only party that’s liable for your injuries. Sometimes, a dog is left in the care of another individual or a business, such as a grooming shop, pet hotel, or veterinary practice. While these entities do not own the dog, they have assumed responsibility for the animal while it’s in their care. So if you were knocked down by a dog at a boarding kennel, for example, you may be able to seek compensation from the business owner.
Due to the many factors that are involved in one of these accidents, it’s best to speak with a lawyer who can advise you of your rights and legal options. Contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case evaluation.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
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Exceptions to the Strict Liability Rule
Even within the state’s strict liability statute, there are some exceptions where the dog owner is not responsible for an accident caused by their dog. These situations include trespassing on someone’s property, posing a clear and present danger to the owner, or physically tormenting / abusing the dog. In such cases, the courts will generally rule that the dog was provoked to the point where attacking the trespasser or abuser was an acceptable course of action.
What Damages can I Receive from a Lawsuit?
A lawsuit for being knocked down by a dog isn’t just about recovering your medical expenses, though that is a major part of your settlement award. Here is a list of the possible damages that can be recovered on your behalf:
- Cost of medical treatment, hospitalization, medications, etc.
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of rehabilitative services, such as physical therapy and mental health counseling
- Property damage
- Lawyer’s fees
- Punitive damages
Figuring out an accurate amount for each of these categories can be difficult for emotional damages, like pain and suffering. Our lawyers have been calculating injury settlements for many years, so you can have confidence in our ability to maximize your payment.
What is the Average Case Value for one of these Lawsuits?
Each dog injury case is different in terms of how it impacts the victim’s health and finances. Those who have been harmed by a dog also experience emotional trauma, which can develop into anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health disorders. That’s why it’s essential to speak to an attorney right away and get a sense of what you are entitled to from a lawsuit against the dog owner.
On the lower end, these lawsuits may be worth around $25,000 to $75,000. But we’ve handled a good number of cases where the victim sustains long-term or lifelong injuries. If the accident results in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, hip fracture, or a combination of multiple injuries, settlement values may be in the range of $300,000 to over $1 million.
How long do these Cases take to Settle?
Ideally, the owner is willing to acknowledge their negligence under the state’s laws and negotiate a fair settlement through their insurance company. In that case, we can probably settle your claim within 4 to 8 months. But if there’s any resistance on their part, or unexpected complications that can hold up the legal process, negotiating a fair settlement can take much longer – perhaps 12 to 18 months. If it’s clear that the insurance company is acting in bad faith, a lawsuit may be the only option, which can extend your case timeline by 2 or more years.
While we can’t promise you a quick settlement, you will never be ignored or given evasive, unhelpful answers when you call us. You can count on us to keep in touch and let you know exactly what’s going on with your case, which is the kind of attention you deserve as our client.
What are my Rights if I’m not Happy with my Lawyer?
There are many reasons that can cause a client to be unhappy with their attorney, and some of these are based on personal issues that can be resolved with better communication. But what it your lawyer is difficult to get in touch with, no matter how many times you call them? What if they’re pressuring you to settle with the dog owner for less than what you think your case is worth? You may also have noticed signs of incompetence, like missed deadlines or losing important documents.
These are just some of the issues we can help you with during a second opinion consultation. This is a completely free case review with one of our attorneys. They can answer all your questions and give you their expert opinion on how your case is being handled. If you are interested in switching your lawyer, we can handle the process of transferring your case to our firm so that you have one less thing to worry about. On the other hand, if you’d like to keep your current attorney, there is no cost to you whatsoever for the consultation. To schedule a free second opinion, contact our law firm at your earliest convenience.
Statute of Limitations for Knocked Down by Dog Injury Claims
Statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit against the party that’s responsible for your accident. For injuries resulting from dog owner negligence, you have two years from your accident date to seek monetary damages. If your injuries do not appear right away, you can rely on the discovery rule, which means you have two years from the discovery date of the injury to file a lawsuit.
The courts are very firm regarding the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits. If you are past the two-year window, you may permanently lose the right to sue the dog owner for your injuries. Please give us a call and get started on a claim if you have been knocked down by someone else’s dog.
Learn about your Rights and Legal Options
Owning a dog comes with many serious responsibilities, which go far beyond feeding the dog and taking it for walks. It’s also an owner’s duty to keep others safe from the damage their pet can inflict. If you have been knocked over by someone else’s dog, you are entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Unfortunately, many people lack the legal knowledge to succeed in a lawsuit against the dog owner. Our lawyers are here to fight for your rights and bring you the settlement you deserve.
As an accident victim, you are probably concerned about the cost of legal representation. That won’t be a problem when you choose Normandie Law Firm, since we operate under a Zero fee guarantee. Our fees are paid by the individual or company you are suing, and that’s only if we win you case. If we fail to recover your payment, you owe us nothing for any of our services.
If you’re ready to seek the advice of one of our attorneys, contact our office to schedule a free case review.
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