Dog Bites

Aggressive Inland Empire Lawyers Pursue Justice for Victims of Dog Bites

CA Attorneys Battle for Compensation When Animals Attack

Dogs are wonderful family pets, but when proper safety precautions are not taken, dogs can pose a serious safety threat. According to data cited by Canine Journal, approximately 4.5 million people nationwide suffer dog bite injuries each year.  Dog bites can occur without warning, causing severe physical and emotional harm. These attacks might even create a risk of disease or infection. Immediate medical attention is a must. 

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. in Corona, California we treat dog-bite cases with seriousness. Our experienced dog bite attorneys in Corona understand the relevant law and the standards of care that pet owners must observe. If you have been hurt after being bitten by a dog or another type of pet, prompt legal advice may give you the best chance of obtaining fair compensation.

An Overview of Dog Bite Laws and Dog Bite Liability Claims in California

Were you or was your loved one attacked by a dog in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, or elsewhere in the Inland Empire region? If so, it is crucial that you have a general understanding of how the dog bite liability laws and the dog bite claims process work in California. Here are five key things that you should know about dog bite injury cases: 

• You Must See a Doctor: When a dog bite breaches the skin, medical attention is required, and there is a serious risk of infection. Further, you cannot bring a successful dog bite injury claim in California without seeing a doctor. When bringing a claim, medical records are a key piece of evidence for both liability and damages in a dog bite injury case. 

• Two-Year Statute of Limitations: You only have two years from the date of a dog bite to file a lawsuit. This is a strict statute of limitations. Do not fall behind the claims process. Call an Inland Empire dog bite lawyer as soon as possible after an attack. We will conduct an immediate, proactive investigation of a potential dog bite claim. 

• Strict Liability for Dog Owners: California imposes strict liability on dog owners. Strict liability is a liability that arises without a finding of wrongdoing by the defendant. In effect, this means that you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills through a dog bite claim even without proving that a dog owner was negligent.

• Other Negligent Parties Can Be Held Liable: Although most dog bite injury claims are filed against dog owners, other negligent parties—businesses, landlords, property owners, etc.—can be held liable as well. 

• Additional Damages May Be Offered in Common Law Negligence Claim: Beyond a strict liability claim, you can also file a fault-based negligence claim against a dog owner (or another party) in California. Through a negligent lawsuit, a dog bite victim can recover additional damages, including for their pain and suffering and emotional distress. 

Committed Inland Empire Advocates Help Clients Understand Pet Owner Liability Issues

Dog bite injury claims are complicated. One of the key things that separate our law firm is that we go above and beyond to make sure that injured victims get the personalized, attentive legal representation that they need to get the best results. From the moment we take a case, we perform a complete investigation of the incident to determine where the legal responsibility lies. This can include an analysis of:

• The pet’s history of attacks on people and other animals
• Failure of the owner to use proper safeguards such as leashes and muzzles
• Awareness of the specific dog breed’s tendencies toward aggression
• Mistreatment of the animal by the owner as a possible cause of its behavior
• Commands given or not given by the owner during the attack

We are prepared to comprehensively investigate a dog attack to determine exactly what happened, including what the dog owner and/or other property owners did or did not do to protect you or your loved one. Our experienced Inland Empire dog bite attorney will develop a complete narrative to give the strongest chance of winning a favorable result in court or through a settlement.

Inland Empire Law Firm Fights to Obtain Full Compensation for the Harm Caused by Dog Bites

If you, your child, or any other loved one was injured by a dog, you need full and fair financial compensation to pay your bills and support your family. Unfortunately, the insurance companies that handle most dog bite injury claims are notorious for trying to pay out the minimum amount of financial compensation. We go above and beyond to help dog bite victims maximize their recovery. With deep experience, our Inland Empire dog bite attorney helps victims get the financial relief they deserve. Depending on the specific circumstances, attorneys may help pursue:

• Reimbursement for past and future medical expenses
• Compensation for lost wages
• Damages for pain and suffering
• Payment for expenses associated with the injury

One-size-fits-all legal representation is not good enough in dog bite injury claims. Every case is different. Many different factors matter—from the dog’s history to the actions or inactions of the dog owner to the severity of the victim’s injuries. We understand how overwhelming it can be to recover from the harm of a serious dog bite and advocate for a resolution that covers each aspect of that harm. If it is determined we can help, you and your family can rely on our Inland Empire dog bite injury attorneys for personalized, results-focused legal guidance and support. 

Our Tenacious CA Personal Injury Attorneys Help Victims of Pet Attacks Seek Justice

At the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C., our California dog bite attorney is an aggressive, experienced, and justice-focused advocate for injured victims and their families. If you or your child were hurt by a dog, we may be able to help. 

Call today to speak with a seasoned and experienced Southern California dog bite attorney at the Law Office of Joseph Richards, P.C. at (888) 883-6588, or contact us here to schedule a free consultation. From our legal offices in Orange and Corona, we handle dog bite injury claims in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and throughout the wider Inland Empire. 

Disclaimer: No outcome can be guaranteed in a personal injury claim. This website is for informational purposes and no attorney-client relationship has been created.