California Dog Bite Lawyer
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- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
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The Insurance Information Institute shares that California is not only ranked number one in terms of dog bite claims but it also averages the highest dog bite settlements.
Obtaining such compensation is going to be much more achievable with experienced legal support on your side. And so, if you have suffered an injury as a result of a dog bite, we have a knowledgeable California dog bite accident lawyer here to help.
Why Consider Feher Law
Dog bites are not only serious injuries but are also terrifying events that can leave their victims with a debilitating fear of dogs. If you or someone you care about has been injured by a dog attack, the seasoned California personal injury lawyers at Feher Law recognize what’s at stake and are standing by to help. When you work with us, you can count on:
- Personalized legal attention that’s designed to address your unique legal needs
- Expertise in California’s dog bite laws and how they apply to your case
- Skilled litigators who are ready to take your case to trial if doing so better protects your rights – and your rightful compensation
- Availability when you need it most
- Focused legal strategies that keep your claim moving smoothly forward
If someone else’s dog leaves you injured, we offer a free comprehensive case evaluation that can help you get a better handle on your case and a better understanding of how we can help.
CASE RESULTS
RESULTS FROM OUR MOST RECENT CASES
Meet Your California Dog Bite Accident Attorneys
The experienced California dog bite attorneys at Feher Law have earned their reputation as fierce defenders of our clients’ rights, and we encourage you to reach out for the skilled legal representation that you need.
Hear From Our Clients
We work hard for our clients, and while our standing in the legal community is extremely rewarding, nothing compares to the pride we take in helping our clients overcome adversity – as reflected by their reviews and testimonials.
How Our California Dog Bite Accident Law Firm Can Help
If you’re a dog bite victim, know that dog bite injuries are slow to heal, are highly susceptible to dangerous infections, and – when on or near the face – can lead to permanent disfigurement. In other words, the losses you face can be immense, but our trusted dog bite lawyers can help in all the following primary ways:
- Recovering on your medical bills, which may reach into the future
- Recovering on your lost earnings, which can include lost earning power
- Recovering on your non-economic damages – or your physical and emotional pain and suffering – which can overshadow all your financial losses combined
Dog bites are uniquely serious because canines have very strong jaws that rip, gnash, tear, and crush rather than cut the skin, which can break bones and can lead to complex health concerns. Further, the terror involved can lead to symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
All told, it’s difficult to overstate the damages associated with dog bite injuries, and working closely with an accomplished dog injury lawyer throughout the process can make a serious difference in the outcome of your claim.
What to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog
If someone else’s dog bites you, your case will be unique to the circumstances involved, but there are certain steps that all victims of dog bites are encouraged to take:
- Ensure your safety by getting away from the animal as quickly as you can and doing everything you can to protect yourself from it.
- Seek medical attention immediately – even if you don’t think you were seriously injured. The risk of infection is too great to ignore.
- Carefully follow your medical provider’s instructions, attend all follow-up appointments, and schedule the medical treatments and procedures advised.
- Reach out for skilled legal counsel early on. Dog bite laws in California are complex, and your claim and recovery are too important to leave to chance.
- Alert the authorities about the attack by contacting the local animal control or public safety officer – you could stop someone else from being injured.
- Gather and preserve all the evidence that you can, which includes keeping your torn or ripped clothing, taking pictures or videos of your injuries, recording eyewitness testimony, and jotting down the dog owner’s contact information and information about the dog’s vaccines, including rabies
- Document your losses by compiling your medical bills and your doctor’s report regarding your injuries and prognosis.
- Remember that you can count on others at the scene to help gather evidence and information on your behalf, and your savvy attorney will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to compile all the available evidence – in support of your strongest claim.
It’s important to know that, while the involved insurance company is paid to cover your claim, they are in the business of turning profits and will do what they can to minimize your settlement. They are skilled at twisting claimants’ words into weapons that they proceed to use against them, and for this reason, it’s a good idea to keep the following in mind:
- Allow your dog bite lawyer to communicate with the insurance company on your behalf – you’re not required to make a statement, and it’s generally in your best interest not to do so.
- Stay off of social media while your claim is pending – the insurance company is watching and waiting for you to post something they can turn against your claim.
- Focus on your recovery while your attorney focuses on knowledgeably negotiating with the insurance company for the highest compensation possible.
A Note on Young Victims
The statistics clearly demonstrate that children are far more vulnerable to being seriously injured in the course of a dog attack than adults are – although both face serious risks. To make things that much worse, children are also more likely to sustain injuries to the head and neck, which are among the most dangerous injuries.
If your child has been injured by someone else’s dog, the dedicated dog bite lawyers at Feher Law recognize the gravity of the situation and are committed to holding the pet owner liable for the damages your child has suffered.
Deadlines
Under California law, you have only two years from the date of a dog attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations, and it highlights exactly how important it is to retain a dog bite attorney as soon after the incident as possible.
Gathering Evidence
Dog bite claims – like other personal injury claims – hinge on the available evidence, which you should begin collecting as soon as possible. If, however, you’re in no condition to take care of this on your own, you can trust your attorney to take over on your behalf.
The kinds of evidence that are most likely to make a difference include:
- Any video footage of the attack, including videos captured by security cameras or bystanders
- Photos and videos depicting your injuries, including throughout the healing process
- Any police documentation of the incident
- Eyewitnesses’ testimonies
- The testimony of experts with relevant knowledge
- Your medical records and your doctor’s account of your condition
- Your own testimony and the testimony of those close to you regarding how the attack has affected your life
The sooner you have a dog bite lawyer in your corner, the sooner thorough evidence gathering can commence – and the sooner you can focus solely on the primary task of fully recovering both physically and emotionally.
What About Liability? Who Is to Blame?
California employs what is known as strict liability when it comes to dog bite cases. The law behind this is California Civil Code Section 3342, which is a strict liability statute that holds dog owners legally responsible for the physical, financial, and emotional damages their dogs cause. You don’t need to prove that the owner knew their dog was aggressive – they are liable regardless, which is what being strictly liable means.
If a dog bites you when you are on the owner’s property lawfully, such as if you are working on the property or are there for basically any reason other than illegal trespassing, the dog owner is liable for your damages. And the same is true if the attack happens on public property.
When it comes to dog bites, however, the matter of negligence doesn’t end with the pet’s owner. When the circumstances are right, the following parties can be held responsible:
- If the property owner or manager where the dog owner lives knew or should have reasonably known about the dog’s aggression, they can share liability.
- The property owner of the premises where the attack occurred can also bear responsibility – especially if they were aware of the dog’s behavior prior to the incident.
- Liability can also extend to the person entrusted with the dog’s care if they fail to take the necessary precautions to control the dog or fail to prevent foreseeable harm.
- In some instances, a third party can share liability – especially if they do something to provoke the animal or otherwise contribute to the attack.
Whether you were bit by a dog, whose owner you can identify, or by a stray dog, and whether you were on public property or were a guest or worker at the dog owner’s home at the time of the attack, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and emotional distress. And an experienced dog bite lawyer in California can help.
What Can I Expect to Pay?
If you’ve been injured by a dog that bit you, you’re facing medical expenses, lost income, and emotional setbacks that can leave you hesitant to take on the additional cost of legal counsel. The truth is, however, that most reputable dog bite attorneys, such as those at Feher Law, charge on a contingency fee basis.
This means that you will not owe anything until your case settles or when you receive a court award. At that time, we will receive a predetermined percentage, and if your claim isn’t successful, you won’t owe anything.
Why Choose Us Over Other California Dog Bite Accident Lawyers?
You have many dog bite attorneys in California to choose from, but at Feher Law, we’re confident that the qualities that help us stand out from the crowd will inspire the peace of mind you’re looking for:
- We’re available around the clock because being there when you need us is our priority.
- We strategize each case in accordance with the unique circumstances involved, which means you can count on personalized services that fit your needs.
- We have proven expertise in challenging cases involving serious injuries like those that are common to dog bites.
- We take the pressure off you – leaving you free to focus on your recovery while we manage all the legal details of your claim.
Other Locations We Serve
Feher Law is proud to be firmly grounded in Los Angeles and to serve cities throughout Southern California and the entire state, including but not limited to:
Speak to a CA Dog Bite Accident Attorney Today!
If you or someone you love has been injured by someone else’s dog, you shouldn’t wait to seek the medical care that you need or the legal guidance that your claim calls for. At Feher Law, we appreciate how serious your situation is, and we welcome the opportunity to help.
If someone else’s dog leaves you injured, schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and to secure the help you need to reach your most complete recovery.
GET A FREE CONSULTATION
Our team is standing by and ready to assist you. Consultations are completely free and confidential. We will help you determine if you have a case.
- Over $100 Million Recovered For Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
- We Fight for Maximum Compensation
- Get The Justice You Deserve
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FAQs
Can you sue for a dog bite in California?
Yes, if someone else's dog injures you in California, you can hold the owner liable for your losses, including your medical expenses, your lost wages, and your physical and emotional pain and suffering. After seeking the medical attention you need, consult with an experienced California dog bite lawyer.
What is the average settlement for a dog Bite in California?
The Insurance Information Institute reports that California sees considerably more dog bite claims than any other state and that the average settlement per claim is considerably higher at $59,561. It’s important to note, however, that – depending on the severity of the related injuries – many claims settle for much more.
Does California have a one-bite rule for dogs?
Some states have a so-called one-bite rule for dog bite claims, but California isn't one of them. These rules pertain to the dog owner having prior knowledge of their pet's aggression, but in California, the owner doesn’t need prior knowledge of their pet’s potential aggression to be held responsible.
What happens after a dog bite is reported in California?
As soon as a victim is attacked by a dog in California, the matter should be reported to animal control. From here, an officer should investigate within 24 hours, which leads to a rabies assessment and report that can later be subpoenaed as evidence in the resulting dog bite case.
What are the levels of dog bites?
The Dunbar Dog Bite scale includes the following basic levels:
- 1: No teeth-to-skin contact
- 2: Teeth-to-skin contact but no punctures
- 3: One to four punctures from a single bite
- 4: Level 3 with at least one puncture having considerable depth
- 5: Multiple bites with at least two level 4s
- 6: Death
