EL SEGUNDO DOG BITE ATTORNEYS

CALIFORNIA LAW ON DOG BITE AND ATTACK CASES

In 1931, California passed a law that allows victims of dog bites and attacks to hold the dog owner strictly liable for damages. California Civil Code Section 3342, also known as the Dog Bite Statute, replaced the one bite rule that required proof that the dog owner did something wrong. In contrast, Section 3342 holds a dog owner liable regardless of what they did, whether they took necessary precautions, or if they knew about the vicious propensity of their dog. Simply put, an owner of a dog is responsible for their dog’s actions even if the dog never displayed the propensity to bite or attack.

California Civil Code Section 3342(a) further clarifies that a dog owner is liable for any resulting injuries if any person is bitten or attacked by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner’s of the dog.

Some exceptions to the rule include:

• The owner is not the one being sued,
• The victim was a trespasser on the owner’s property,
• The dog was a law enforcement animal in the line of duty,
• The victim was partially responsible for their injuries, and
• The victim assumed the risk of being bitten by a dog.

If any of these exceptions apply, dog bite victims cannot hold the dog owner strictly liable for their injuries. However, the victim can still pursue money damages for their injuries under a negligence theory of liability.

THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR SEEKING COMPENSATION IN DOG BITES & ATTACKS

Under California law, dog bite and attack victims only have two years from the date of attack to seek monetary compensation from the dog owner. This time frame is referred to as the statute of limitations. Investigating and handling a dog bite claim in general can be a lengthy and stressful process, especially if you have been severely injured. To reduce the anxiety of handling a personal injury claim, you should immediately contact an experienced El Segundo dog bite attorney to protect your legal rights and bring a timely claim against the dog owner. If you fail to file your claim within this time frame, you may be forever barred from seeking the money damages you deserve.

The legal team at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas has the knowledge and skills to investigate the facts of your case and aggressively fight to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.

COMPENSATION FOR DOG BITE VICTIMS

Dog bites and attack injuries can significantly impact all aspects of your life. You may need extensive medical treatment for your injuries, which can quickly result in large medical bills. You may even need to take time off of work to heal. All of this can wreak havoc on your financial livelihood, in addition to causing you emotional and mental anguish.

Our El Segundo dog bite attorneys will take all the necessary steps to help you get justly compensated. Some common types of compensation you may be entitled to depending on the specific facts of your case include:

• Past and future medical bills for all treatments related to the bite
• Other types of rehabilitation services
• Property damage
• Physical pain and suffering
• Loss of wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Any other out of pocket expenses related to the incident
• Wrongful death, if the dog bite resulted in death

COMMON TYPES OF DOG BITES AND ATTACKS

Prior to settling your dog bite case, you should understand the full extent of the injuries you suffered. This is important because when you settle your case and sign the release against the dog owner, you cannot go back and seek additional compensation.

Below are some common injuries associated with dog bites and/or attacks:

• Puncture wounds, abrasions and lacerations
• Broken, shattered or fractured bones
• Eye injuries
• Scars
• Head and neck injuries
• Face injuries

Dog bites and attacks are not limited to only physical pain. It is common for almost all dog bite victims to suffer some degree of emotional and mental anguish. The El Segundo dog bite attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas will factor in all the physical, emotional and mental injuries you suffered before advising you to settle your claim.

WHAT STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE AFTER A DOG BITE

What you do or fail to do after getting bitten or attacked by a dog can impact your dog bite claim against the owner and their insurance carrier. If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog bite or attack, you need to take certain steps to protect your legal rights. Below are some important steps to take or at least consider:

1. Identify the dog that bit or attacked you.
2. Identify the dog’s owner. Obtain the owner’s information, including name, address, and telephone number.
3. Get the name, address, and telephone number of any witnesses to the attack. Generally, dog owners will deny an attack or a bite, fearing that their dog might be taken away or put to sleep.
4. In such cases, a witness statement or testimony will be imperative in getting you the compensation that you deserve.
5. Contact Animal Services Agency or Law Enforcement to file an incident report.
6. Take photographs of your wounds, bruises, and clothing.
7. Get medical treatment.
8. Contact an experienced attorney who specifically handles dog bite cases.

To fully protect your rights, you should not refrain from signing any documents prepared by the dog owner, landlord of the property where the bite took place, insurance representatives, or adverse attorneys without legal advice from an experienced El Segundo dog bite attorney.

AN EL SEGUNDO DOG BITE ATTORNEY CAN HELP PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

Hiring an experienced dog bite attorney should be one of the first steps you take after an attack. Hiring a lawyer allows you to concentrate on your healing process, while feeling confident that an expert is handling the legal aspects of your claim.

Most dog bites and attacks are covered under the dog owner’s homeowner insurance policy. Going against a big insurance carrier without being legally represented can leave you with unprotected and facing an uphill battle. The legal team at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas will take every step possible to make sure you are fully compensated and all of your medical bills are paid.

Contact an Experienced El Segundo Dog Bite Attorney

If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog, the legal team at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas can help. We specialize in handling dog bite injury cases. We have the experience to help you recover your lost wages, medical expenses and any other costs related to your dog bite injury.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our dog bite attorneys, please call 619-304-8867. The Law Offices of Samer Habbas is dedicated to helping dog bite victims receive the just compensation for their dog bite injuries.