ORANGE COUNTY DOG BITE INJURY LAWYER
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No matter how well-trained a dog is, it might still bite you under the right circumstances. If you’ve been hurt by someone else’s dog, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries with the help of an Orange County Dog Bite Injury Lawyer.
Under the California Code of Civil Procedure 335.1, you have two years from the time of the dog bite in which to file a personal injury claim. This is known as the statute of limitations. Because it can take a considerable amount of time to thoroughly investigate a dog bite claim, it is essential that you contact an experienced Orange County dog bite injury lawyer as soon as possible following your attack.
Are You Liable For A Dog Bite In Orange County?
To determine who is responsible for a dog bite, it is necessary to establish who owns the dog. In California, a dog owner is strictly liable for any dog bite regardless of whether they failed to protect others from the attack or had no reason to know the dog was dangerous, provided that the victim was not trespassing or provoking the dog.
In addition to the dog owner, others may be held liable for dog bites, including anyone responsible for the care or custody of the dog, like a kennel, pound, or animal shelter. A property owner can also get held accountable if they allow the dog onto the property. Similarly, a landlord can be held liable for an animal bite caused by a tenant’s dangerous pet.
Orange County Dog Bite Compensation
Medical Bills
You probably visited an emergency room after your canine attack. Emergency room visits are expensive on their own, but if you also need stitches/ surgery, the bills continue to mount.
Permanent Scarring
Scarring and disfigurement after a dog attack can permanently affect your quality of life. You should be compensated for that kind of suffering.
Lost Wages
Perhaps your orange county dog bite injury caused you to miss work while you recovered or prevented you from working altogether. These types of expenses should be covered.
Most Common Injuries Associated with Dog Bites
Before you agree to a settlement, it is crucial that you know the full extent of the injuries resulting from the dog bite. Dog bites can often cause permanent disfigurement and can require extremely expensive reconstructive surgery, as well as long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
Aside from the physical injuries which result from a dog bite, there can also be emotional pain and suffering tied to permanent disfigurement or psychological issues associated with a vicious dog attack. It is important that all of these be factored in when determining the amount of settlement damages you are entitled to. Further facts associated with dog bite injuries include:
- A full 86% of all dog attacks result in bodily harm to the victim.
- Forty-two percent of those hospitalized for a dog bite were treated for skin lacerations and underlying tissue infection;
- Twenty-two percent had wounds on the legs and arms;
- 5 percent had wounds on the head, neck, and torso, and
- The remaining patients suffered bone fractures and blood poisoning.
Steps to Take if You Have Been Bitten by a Dog
- Seek immediate medical attention
Even if you believe your bite injuries are not all that serious and you can doctor them on your own, they could later become infected or could be much more serious than you realize. - Call Animal Control
While the owner of the dog should do this, he or she may not; therefore, make sure that call is made. This is a crucial step necessary to determine whether the dog has rabies. - Take Photographs
If you are medically able, take photographs of your injuries resulting from the bite, as well as the place where the dog bit you. If you have a claim, later on, such photos can be invaluable. - Get Information
If there were witnesses to your dog bite, get their names and addresses. - Contact a Garcia & Phan immediately
Call immediately on (714) 586-8298.
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