Dog Bite Lawyer San Diego

A dog bite can be a horrific experience leaving you physically scarred and emotionally traumatized.  Even after receiving proper medical treatment and reaching maximum medical improvement, you may be unable to engage in some of the activities you used to, such as going for a walk in the park, because of fear of another attack.  You may also have physical scarring that affects your sense of self worth.  You have a right to have your medical bills paid for and the right to payment of money for your pain and suffering. Call our firm today and talk to the most dedicated dog bite lawyer San Diego has to offer, and learn your legal rights and remedies as a bite victim.

Protect Yourself With a Dog Bite Lawyer San Diego

After a dog attack, the dog owner will typically deny liability and attempt to shift the blame onto you.  If the attack happened at the owner’s home, the witnesses will likely be the owner’s friends and family, who are likely to be biased in favor of the dog owner.  Dog bites can cause serious injuries and disfigurement, leaving physical and emotional scars lasting a lifetime. What you need to know is that, in California, an owner can be held strictly liable (responsible) for the bite and resulting injuries.  The law expects owners to keep their dogs on a leash in public and to take such other precautions as a reasonable person would in order to prevent an attack on an innocent victim.

Strict Liability

When a dog attack occurs, more often than not it is because the owner acted carelessly.  Either they knew of a propensity to bite, or they failed to use a leash, or they were otherwise careless in protecting the public.  It is not even necessary to show that the dog owner was careless.  California law places strict liability upon owners.  Under California’s dog bite statute, Civil Code Section 3342, an owner is strictly liable if injury caused by a bite that occurs in a public place (for example, a park) or while you are lawfully on the owner’s property. Liability is automatic, regardless of whether the dog had a prior history of biting or attacking people or whether the owner had knowledge of the dog’s vicious tendency.  The law of strict liability for dog bites can be utilized to hold the owner responsible, irrespective of whether they were careful or not.  Strict liability is a matter of public policy.  That is, as a matter of public policy, it makes good sense to hold owners strictly responsible for bite injuries.  Such a policy encourages owners to take extra precautions to ensure the public is protected.

Investigation After an Attack

Dogs are regarded by many as man’s best friend, and the owner and his or her friends and family will likely feel this way.  They will do everything they can to protect themselves and may even fabricate facts stating that you provoked the attack.  This is expected.  Our lawyers are experts in dog bite cases.  We interview witnesses and obtain their testimony, and build up a strong case against the owner.  Such evidence will be critical for disproving any false allegations by the owner that you had provoked the attack, should such allegations ever be made.  By meticulously preparing your case, and then fighting hard for your right to hold the owner responsible, your San Diego dog bite lawyer will win your case and hold the owner accountable.

Emotional Trauma

Dog bites frequently result in severe emotional scarring.  Emotional trauma may range from sadness, to confusion, to uncertainty of the future mental and physical impact the attack may have on you and your family.  You may even have feelings of anger and resentment.  You may also experience a change or disruption in your lifestyle and not be able to engage in the same activities you used to enjoy.  Dealing with emotional scarring may require years of therapy, taking a toll on you physically, emotionally, and financially.  Your dog bite lawyer will discuss these matters with you and make sure that your right to receive treatment and monetary compensation for your future suffering is fully protected.

Physical Scars

Physical scars may require reconstructive surgery and extended rehabilitation and recovery time.  Reconstructive surgery can be very expensive, but is necessary both for medical reasons and for improving your sense of self worth.  You may not have insurance coverage or you may not want to use your own insurance, so one of the first things that your personal injury attorney will do is determine the available sources of insurance coverage, such as the owner’s homeowners insurance.

Disfigurement

Disfigurement may require multiple reconstructive surgeries.  The scars left from disfigurement can take a toll on a person’s self esteem and can cause emotional and physical scarring that lasts a lifetime.  While no amount of money can undo disfigurement, the law does attempt to arrive at a monetary figure that attempts to financially compensate you for the disfigurement you have suffered as a result of a dog bite.  With the help of a disfigurement attorney and dog bite lawyer, you can obtain the maximum financial compensation available under the law for any disfigurement.

Homeowners Insurance Coverage

Many people don’t realize that homeowners’ insurance policies typically provide for coverage for a dog bite.  Most policies also have exclusions for certain breeds.  As part of the investigation process, your San Diego dog bite lawyer will determine whether the dog owner has homeowner insurance coverage that will cover your claim, including your medical bills and your pain and suffering.  Homeowner insurance policies can provide for substantial amounts of coverage to help you heal from your physical injuries and emotional trauma.

Assumption of Risk

Despite that California law imposes strict liability upon the owner, liability is not absolute.  Depending on the circumstances, the owner may be able to assert the defense of assumption of risk.  However, this defense is rarely applied and usually limited to circumstances where the victim clearly assumed the risk of a bite, such as, for example, where the victim is a member of the staff of a veterinary clinic.

Talk to a Lawyer

Contact Injury Law Group and talk to a dog bite lawyer San Diego.  Our experienced attorneys will fight for you and hold the owner responsible for your injuries and there is no fee until we win your case and recover financial compensation for you and your family.  Call us now at 619-255-3900.