Dog bites can happen to anyone and have dire consequences. Victims may suffer permanent injuries and exposure to infections and illnesses. They may also experience immense and long-lasting emotional distress caused by the trauma of an animal attack.
If a dog bit you or a loved one, you may be entitled to financial compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. An Elk Grove dog bite lawyer from Demas Law Group can handle the complexities of your personal injury claim while you recover and get your life back on track.
Our law firm has 25 years of experience fighting for injured individuals in Elk Grove and other California communities. We have the knowledge, resources, and skills to pursue the results you need and deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Understanding the Impact of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries can have devastating, permanent, and disabling side effects. According to the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, around 20 percent of dog bite wounds become infected, which can cause severe conditions, including bone and joint infections and septic arthritis. Dog bites can also cause:
- Puncture wounds
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Tendon damage
- Facial injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Tetanus
- Rabies
Medical treatment for a dog bite can be expensive and ongoing. Victims may need antibiotic therapies, surgeries, and cosmetic procedures. The cost of wound care can quickly add up. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that the average cost of a dog bite claim in California is just over $68,000.
Your Rights After a Dog Bite in Elk Grove, CA
California law holds dog owners financially liable for bite injuries. The law states that:
- A dog owner is liable for bite injuries on public and private property, including their own property.
- If a bite occurs on private property, the victim can only seek compensation if they were there by expressed or implied invitation or to fulfill an official duty, like delivery of the U.S. mail. In other words, owners are not liable for bite injuries caused to trespassers.
- A dog owner is not liable for injuries if the injured party provoked the dog.
- Liability does not apply to police or military dogs acting in the line of duty.
Our Elk Grove dog bite attorneys can help you establish that you qualify for compensation under California’s dog bite laws. We can identify and calculate your losses and pursue full and fair compensation.
Does California Follow the One-Bite Rule?
California does not follow a one-bite rule. The law explicitly states that liability does not rest on a dog’s former viciousness or an owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. Instead, dog owners in California are strictly liable. Strict liability means owners are responsible for bite-related losses, regardless of whether they acted negligently or if their dog has bitten someone before.
However, strict liability does not apply to injuries other than bites. For example, if a dog chases you and you fall and break your leg, you must establish the owner’s negligence to recover compensation. Strict liability also does not apply to injuries caused by any other type of animal, including cat bites and scratches.
Filing a Dog Bite Claim in Elk Grove
Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies cover dog bites, including injuries occurring off the insured’s property. An Elk Grove dog bite attorney may be able to pursue money for your medical bills and other losses through an insurance claim. This option is often reassuring for clients because most dog bites involve a dog who is familiar with them, such as one belonging to a friend or family member. When you file an insurance claim, you are not taking direct legal action against someone you care about.
However, building a successful dog bite claim can be challenging. Insurance companies rarely make full
and fair payouts. That’s where a dog bite lawyer comes in. We can craft an evidence-based dog bite case and handle all communication with the insurer.
Our legal team starts by investigating the incident and collecting proof showing you suffered a bite and incurred related expenses. We then draft and send a demand letter to the insurance company outlining your compensation claim.
Our experienced dog bite lawyers will defend your rights during settlement negotiations and fight for maximum compensation. We can also shield you from bad-faith insurance tactics and pressure to accept less money than you deserve.
If settlement talks break down, our legal team is prepared to file a dog bite lawsuit and represent you at trial. California law sets a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases. If you do not file your lawsuit before the deadline expires, you may be unable to recover compensation. Demas Law Group can help you act on your Elk Grove legal case before it is too late.
Types of Compensation in a Dog Bite Case
All dog bite cases are different. Your recoverable losses will depend on factors unique to you, including the severity of your injury and the extent of your medical treatment. In general, our personal injury attorneys can seek compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses – Examples include ambulance transportation, emergency department care, medical procedures, medications, and physical therapy.
- Lost income – Compensation can cover lost wages and employment benefits, lost future income, and reduced earning capacity if you can no longer work.
- Pain and suffering – Scarring, disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress, anxiety, depression, and lost quality of life are compensable losses in a dog bite claim.
If your loved one died from a fatal dog bite injury, you may qualify for wrongful death compensation. We can help you pursue money for medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and the loss of your loved one’s financial support, services, and society.
Why Choose Demas Law Group?
Personal injury law is all we do at Demas Law Group. Our law firm is dedicated to helping injured Californians get the money they need to get back on their feet. When you work with us, you get the full might and resources of a legal team committed to achieving results. We have
- Staff available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns
- Trial experience and a record of achieving multi-million-dollar case results
- Former defense attorneys on staff who know how to combat strategies used by insurance companies and opposing counsel
- A multilingual team who can serve clients in Spanish, Greek, Filipino, and Polish
- Superior customer service that focused on finding personalized and effective legal solutions
- A no-win, no-fee arrangement – you only pay if we recover money for you
Contact a Dog Bite Attorney Serving Elk Grove, California
Demas Law Group is an Elk Grove personal injury law firm committed to recovering full and fair compensation for dog bite victims and all individuals injured due to another party’s negligence in California. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a dog attack, call or contact us today for a free case evaluation.
