Have you been bitten by a dog? Let us help you understand your legal rights and options
Following a dog bite incident, you may be facing serious medical bills in addition to significant pain and suffering. It’s important to understand your legal rights at this time, so you can make an informed decision regarding any potential dog bite injury claims or lawsuits you may wish to file.
Here are 5 key points you need to understand about dog bite injuries.
When Do You Deserve Compensation?
Under California law, dog owners or handlers are liable for any unprovoked injuries that their animals may cause. It doesn’t matter if it was a nip, a bite, or a brutal attack—if your injury occurred due their negligence, they are liable and you are eligible to receive compensation. There is no “one free bite” rule in California, so there is no need to prove that an animal was known to be dangerous in order to receive compensation.
What Type of Compensation Is Available?
Dog bite injury victims are eligible for many different types of damages that reflect the various ways the incident has affected their life. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to receive compensation for:
- Past medical bills
- Future medical costs such as plastic surgery
- Lost wages
- Lost earning power
- Pain and suffering
Do You Need a Dog Bite Injury Attorney?
Many dog bite injury claims will be covered under the dog owner’s insurance policy. But this doesn’t mean that you can simply submit a claim and trust the insurance company to provide full and fair compensation. You will definitely need a dog bite injury attorney on your side to help you collect evidence, properly quantify your damages, and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement offer. Hiring an attorney will also ensure you are ready and able to take your case to court if settlement negotiations fail.
When Should You Contact an Attorney?
The sooner you contact a dog bite injury attorney, the better. Your attorney can help you understand what evidence you need to capture at the scene of the bite as well as make sure you see qualified medical experts for treatment and evaluation of your injuries. The absolute latest you can contact an attorney would be two years after the bite occurred. After two years, the statute of limitations will expire and you will no longer have the ability to file a claim.
How Much Does Representation Cost?
Most firms, including The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, represent dog bite injury victims on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not require any sort of retainer or other upfront payment. Instead, we will take a percentage of your settlement or jury award as our fee. If we do not win your case, you do not have to pay for our services.
Get a Free Initial Consultation Today
To learn more about a potential dog bite injury claim, please contact us at 800-333-0000 and request your free, no-obligation consultation.
