If you have been seriously injured in an animal attack, a Huntington Beach dog bite lawyer may be able to help you get the compensation you need for your medical care and injury costs.
We’ve been representing dog attack victims since 1978 and have a 99% success rate when it comes to winning for our clients and have recovered over $850M.
If a dog has bitten or attacked you in Orange County, you need a lawyer you can rely on to handle your case. We have handled a huge number of dog attack lawsuits, securing maximum payouts for injury victims.
Trust us to win your case. If you have suffered a dog bite injury in or near Huntington Beach, we are here to fight for you. Call (949) 203-3814 for a free consultation with no obligations, or click here to email us.
Huntington beach Dog Bite Lawyer
Hiring a Huntington Beach Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog bite attorney can help you navigate the legal system and pursue compensation for your injuries if a dog has attacked you. Our law firm has been helping dog bite victims for over 46 years.
By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you can maximize your financial compensation. A study by Martindale Nolo found that plaintiffs can recover up to 35% more by hiring an attorney.
- Case evaluation
- Investigation and expert testimonials
- Identifying liable parties
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Filing a lawsuit
- Negotiating with defense teams
- Seeking compensation
- Appeal or settlement actions
- Jury trial, if needed
How long will my personal injury case take?
Your case can take anywhere from a few months to up to 24 months, depending on how simple or complex your case is.
If your attorney is rushing to settle your personal injury claim, don’t take that as a good sign. A thorough investigation and negotiation are required to get top financial compensation.
It takes time to go through the proper process of negotiating with the defense and insurance companies as well as gathering your evidence to strengthen your case.
Contact our law firm for a free case evaluation. Call 949-203-3814.
Statistics Show that Dog Bite Cases Have Increased in Southern California
According to the Wilderness Medical Society, approximately 4.7 million people experienced dog bites just in one year. In a span of 26 years, exactly 279 human fatalities resulted from dog attacks.
Animals attack or dog bite fatalities occur for a variety of reasons which can stem from fear, stress, or physical pain.
The following statistics demonstrate dog bite attacks and fatalities in the United States.
- The number of dog bite attacks requiring medical attention has increased 15 times faster than the increase in dog ownership.
- There are more than 850,000 dog bites requiring medical attention in the U.S. yearly.
- In a twelve-month period, at least 25 people in the U.S. have died from dog attacks, 20 of whom were children.
- Letter carriers suffer about 3,000 dog bites annually as they deliver the mail.
Dog Injury Laws in Huntington Beach
Dog bite victims can be rushed to the emergency room with serious injuries. In some instances, elders or children who are mauled in an attack have lost their lives.
Who is held responsible for the expenses, and the pain and suffering that follow the incident? As a pet owner, you have a duty to care for your dog and also make sure the people around your dog are safe.
Dog owners who fail to protect people against their animals are labeled as negligent. California state laws apply to Huntington Beach.
California Civil Code section 3342 enforces a “strict liability” rule that states “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.“
An exception to this rule is when a dog attacked someone while they were committing a crime. For example, if a trespasser was bitten by a dog that was performing police duties, then the statute may not apply to this animal attack.
But in general, when an attack occurs on someone else’s property due to the negligence of the property owner or controller, it might constitute a premises liability case.
Contact an Orange County dog bite attorney to learn more about your rights as a victim and how much you can earn on your dog bite injury compensation.
5 Common Dog Bite Injuries
An estimated 89.7 million people in the United States own a dog. Not all dog owners socialize their pets at an early age, though.
Due to the lack of socialization, many dogs become territorial and attack, leading many to be admitted to the emergency room.
Your personal injury attorney in Huntington Beach can offer you the best legal advice you will require after your hospital visit.
Dog bites can leave many victims with injuries that include:
Disfigurement
The most common demographic that suffers from dog bites are children. A child’s size and weight can make them vulnerable to dog attacks, and some can even lose their lives.
Large dogs can leave extensive scarring on a person’s face and body after mauling them. Common areas where people are bitten are the cheeks, eyes, and lips.
Infections
If a dog owner has not taken steps to make sure their dog is vaccinated, this can increase the risk of a dog contracting a disease. The most common disease obtained from dog bites is rabies.
Many do not know that they can contract other infections that can not only cause discomfort but can also lead to the loss of limbs. Infections that can lead to serious injuries include Capnocytophaga and Staph infections.
The types of symptoms that are common with these types of infections ranges from fever or flu-like symptoms or puss-filled blisters.
Nerve damage
A dog biting a very vital area of the body can lead to a lifetime of repercussions for a dog attack victim. Dog attack victims can be left with the loss of movement in a limb or can even lose function in the entire lower half of their body.
There are three forms of nerve damage a victim can experience from an attack, which consist of axonotmesis, neuropraxia, and neurotmesis. Neurotmesis is the most severe nerve damage that a person can experience from an animal attack because the injury may never heal.
Eye injuries
The eyes are the most fragile and vulnerable parts of the face. If harmed or ripped during the attack, even trying to repair the eye can be challenging. In catastrophic cases, the injury victim can become blind.
A dog’s bite can tear puncture the eye, leaving a person with a dislocated lens, or worse, an eye can be completely torn out from the socket.
Psychological trauma
The types of psychological effects that a dog bite victim can experience can be Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or even extreme fear of dogs for the rest of their life.
Many children may suffer from nightmares or bedwetting as a result of the attack. Professional aid from a counselor or psychologist can possibly help with the healing process.
When you file a dog bite claim you can claim emotional distress for you or your child’s medical expenses.
To determine if you have a viable personal injury case, contact our dog bite lawyers in Huntington Beach. Call 949-203-3814 for a free consultation.
“The reason why dog attack claims are higher than and other kinds of accidents is because the nature of the wound a dog bite wound is jagged it's full of germs, it leaves nasty scarring and many bites are to the face especially children and so you have a great deal of scarring and you wind up having plastic surgery bills.”
Proving a California Dog Bite Case?
There are three main burdens of proof that you, as the plaintiff, will need to have. First, the dog bit you. Second, you were lawfully on the premises when you were bitten. Third, the bite caused your injuries.
In California, you can still sue if you are attacked on premises you weren’t necessarily invited to, but you cannot if you were attempting to harm the property owner, break into the residence, or cause other harm.
The dog owner is morally and financially responsible for their dog’s actions, and you deserve just compensation for your medical bills, time off work, and injuries.
In California, to prove a dog bite case and establish liability, you generally need to demonstrate the following elements:
1. Ownership: You must prove that the defendant owned, kept, or controlled the dog that attacked you. California Civil Code Section 3342 states that the owner of any dog is liable for damages if:
a. The damages were caused by a dog bite, and
b. The person bitten was in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the dog owner’s property.
2. Strict liability: California follows a “strict liability” rule for dog bites, which means that the dog owner is liable for the damages caused by their dog, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had bitten someone before. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
3. Damages: You must prove that you suffered damages, such as physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or emotional distress, as a result of the dog bite.
4. Absence of provocation: The dog owner may not be liable if they can prove that the victim provoked the dog. The owner must demonstrate that the provocation was sufficient to justify the dog’s reaction.
5. Lawful presence: You must show that you were lawfully present on the property where the attack occurred or in a public place. If you were trespassing or committing a crime at the time of the bite, the owner might not be held liable.
6. Statute of limitations: In California, you generally have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to file within this timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation.
To build a strong case, it’s crucial to gather evidence such as medical records, photographs of the injuries, witness statements, and animal control reports. An experienced Huntington Beach dog bite lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and work to secure fair compensation for your damages.
Contact an Award-Winning Huntington Beach Dog Bite Lawyer
The Huntington Beach dog bite lawyers of Bisnar Chase operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that if we do not win your case, you do not have to pay.
- Over $850M won
- 99% success rate
- Seasoned trial lawyers
- Serving Orange County since 1978
There are several other questions you may have regarding dog bites in Huntington Beach, so please give us a call at (949) 203-3814 to discuss your case and receive a free consultation. We are here to help.
