Getting bitten or attacked by a dog in Sacramento can be a frightening and traumatic experience. It is important to recognize that you have rights as a dog bite victim in California, including the right to seek financial compensation for your medical costs and other losses. Speak to an attorney at Jacoby & Meyers about your legal options during a free consultation. We can help you move forward with the information and resources that you need.
Why Jacoby & Meyers?
- We believe everyone deserves justice. Since 1972, our law firm has been dedicated to helping individuals and families in California recover from traumatic incidents, including dog attacks.
- Our law firm has a 99 percent success rate. Our case results include more than $2 billion won in settlements for our clients. This is higher than any competitor for clients in California.
- We work for you and only get paid if you win. We won’t charge anything in attorney’s fees unless your dog bite injury case results in financial compensation for your losses.
What Can a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Sacramento Do for You?
An experienced dog bite injury lawyer in Sacramento will be able to investigate your case and explain your legal options. If you have grounds to bring a claim against a pet owner, property owner or another party for failing to prevent the dog attack, your Sacramento personal injury lawyer can gather evidence to build your claim and handle the legal paperwork for you.
Your lawyer can take over communications and negotiations with a pet owner’s insurance company while you focus on healing from your injuries. An attorney will help you maximize your financial recovery while also connecting you to the right doctors for physical healing. You will have greater peace of mind and improved odds of a successful case with the right attorney by your side.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury in Sacramento
If a dog in Sacramento bites you, try to remain calm and get to a safe location away from the animal. Call 911 if your injuries appear to be an emergency. Otherwise, get medical care from a professional as soon as possible. You may need treatments to prevent infections or diseases, such as rabies or tetanus. Keep copies of your medical records.
Exchange information with the owner of the dog, including property insurance information. Before you leave the scene, take pictures of the dog, where the incident took place and your injuries. Report the incident to the Sacramento County Department of Animal Care at 916-368-PETS (7387). It is important to report a dog bite so that it is on record in case of future incidents.
Contact the dog owner’s property insurance company to file an injury claim. Submit your medical bills and other proof of your losses. If the insurance company denies your claim, offers an inadequate settlement or if the pet owner does not have insurance, contact an attorney at Jacoby & Meyers for assistance proceeding with the claims process.
Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Every year, dog attacks send thousands of victims to emergency rooms with severe and even life-threatening injuries. The types of injuries associated with dog bites include:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Avulsion (tearing away of skin)
- Facial injuries
- Eye and ear injuries
- Amputations
- Infections
- Dog-borne diseases
- Fatal injuries
Serious dog bite injuries can cause permanent scarring and significant disfigurement, as well as lasting emotional or psychological trauma.
What Are California’s Dog Bite Laws?
California has a “strict liability” dog bite statute. California Civil Code § 3342 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.”
Under this dog bite law, an injured victim does not have to prove that a pet owner was negligent or failed to exercise proper care to be eligible for financial compensation. Pet owners are automatically required to pay for injuries and damage caused by their dogs. In most cases, property insurance is available to pay for dog attacks, as pets are classified as property.
Defenses That May Be Used in a Dog Bite Claim
Proving your dog bite injury case requires evidence that your injuries occurred due to the policyholder’s dog. There is generally no need to prove negligence. However, the pet owner has the opportunity to defend against the claim.
Common defenses include:
- The victim was trespassing on private property at the time of the dog attack.
- The victim provoked or instigated the attack by harassing the dog.
- The victim’s own actions contributed to the incident (comparative negligence).
- The victim assumed a risk of being bitten, such as by handling a known aggressive dog.
- The dog was working in an official capacity, such as a police dog.
- The statute of limitations or time limit for filing the claim has passed.
If a pet owner is defending against your dog bite injury claim in Sacramento, an attorney can help you prove your case and recover the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can counter defenses by gathering evidence and hiring experts, as needed.
Types of Financial Compensation Available in a Dog Bite Injury Case
Filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit for a dog bite injury in Sacramento could lead to various forms of financial compensation for the losses you suffered because of the incident.
You may be eligible for noneconomic and economic damages, such as:
- Current and future medical care
- Emergency room visits
- Lost wages and employment benefits
- Property damage
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Out-of-pocket costs
Although it is rare, punitive damages are sometimes awarded to punish pet owners for particularly egregious acts of wrongdoing, such as training a dog to attack or knowingly allowing a vicious dog to roam freely.
Contact an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer in Sacramento at Jacoby & Meyers
You aren’t alone as a victim of a dog bite injury in Sacramento. The attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can help you find the right doctor, file an injury claim and seek justice for a violent dog attack. We will do everything within our power to help you achieve a physical, emotional and financial recovery.
Start with a free consultation with our local dog bite injury lawyers. Call our Sacramento office at (916) 269-8918 or send us an online message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Call or text 888-522-6291 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
