Why Should I Get a Dog Bite Lawyer in California?
6 min read

California dog bite laws are very strict when it comes to liability as dog bites happen quite often in the state. There are many reasons for dog bites in California, but they almost always happen unexpectedly. If you’re a dog bite victim, you need help to strengthen your case. Luckily a dog bite lawyer can step in to help build your case. Whether you get a Los Angeles or Sacramento dog bite lawyer, you need help to keep you on the right track and gather evidence that can help your case.

Here are some basic information about dog bites and how a lawyer can help:

What Happens If My Dog Bites Someone In California?

In California, dog bites are a strict liability issue. If your dog bites someone, you are liable for the incident. However, this rule has exceptions depending on the circumstances of the incident. Most dog bites put the fault on the dog’s owner. 

California has a dangerous propensity rule in terms of dog bites. This means dogs will be evaluated to determine if they have a dangerous propensity. They’ll look at records, such as the dog’s history of biting people. Other requirements or restrictions can be applied with these labels. This also means that a dog bite can have possible criminal or punitive damages if the evaluation labels the dog as dangerous.

However, other considerations can increase the liability of the dog’s owner. The court can look at the owner’s possible reckless actions that led to the dog biting someone or something. In extreme cases, the court might order the owners to put down their dogs if they can’t control them at all. 

Whether you’re the dog bite victim or the dog’s owner, you must document any possible evidence that can be used in the case, including photos, videos, as well as personal and witness accounts. These details can help your dog bite lawyer determine the severity of injury, which can provide insights for a more accurate case evaluation. 

Do You Have To Report A Dog Bite In California?

Even if you don’t report the dog bite, doctors in California are required to report them along with giving evaluations and treatments. 17 California Code of Regulations 2606 indicates, “local health officer or designee shall be immediately notified of any person or animal bitten by or

potentially exposed to a rabid or suspected rabid animal.” This definitely includes dog bites.

Even if it’s just a minor injury, doctors need to send a report about it to designated local health officials as soon as possible. However, doctors don’t do this for legal reasons alone. Doctors do this to manage rabies and prevent it from spreading in the community. Even if the dog is not rabid, doctors still need to report the biting incident. 

Dog bites are a community concern and must be dealt with as such. This PDF is a thorough paper written by the AVMA that walks through a Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention that you and your own community can refer to. Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

Dog Bite Laws In California 

The state of California has a strict liability dog bite statute, which means that whenever a dog bites someone, its owner is responsible. An experienced dog bite lawyer knows that this is true regardless of the owner’s negligence and the dog’s history.

As stated in California Law, Section 3342: “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…”

Source: ASPCA.org/DogBitePrevention

Liability For Dog Bites In California

According to the state of California, anyone owning a dog can be held liable in a case if these statements are true: (1) the victim’s injury was caused by a dog bite and (2) the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property when the dog bite took place.

California is a “strict liability” state, which means that the dog’s history of attacking people is, for the most part, irrelevant. Either way, you must work with a good dog bite lawyer who knows these laws inside and out. Insurance companies can mislead and manipulate victims into waiving their rights to pursue action. Victims might end up accepting dog bite settlements in California that are a mere fraction of what they deserve.

You can learn more about the “Liability of Dog Owner for Damages Suffered From Dog Bite” here.

How To Find A Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Near Me

When pursuing a dog bite case, your goal is to be and stay healthy, not incur any medical bills, and get the maximum compensation for your pain and suffering. This means you must get a dog bite attorney who prioritizes your best interest. You need to look at local attorneys and law firms who specialize in canine attacks. Experienced dog bite injury lawyers have access to canine experts who can help build your case. 

For instance, Jacoby and Meyers has a team of attorneys who work with this type of cases. We have extensive knowledge and experience about the legal ramifications of dog bite attacks. Our extensive experience with dog bites can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Once you find a dog bite lawyer, you can schedule a free consultation if they offer it. This can help you check if you’ll work well together. You can also bring some pieces of evidence on your consultation, including:

• Photos of injuries
• Surveillance footage if available
• Medical documents
• Dog bite-related receipts, invoices, etc.

Remember to choose a dog bite lawyer who can clearly communicate with you and guide you through the whole process.

Should I Get A Dog Bite Injury Lawyer In California?

Before anything else, you need to seek medical treatment right away after sustaining a dog bite. You never know how severe the injury is until a doctor can examine you. Once you have received medical care, you should call a dog bite lawyer. A skilled attorney can help you collect evidence, go through police and medical reports, and take note of other evidence. Your dog bite lawyer can use all these pieces of evidence to build your case.

If you need a dog bite injury lawyer, look no further than Jacoby and Meyers. We have a team of the best personal injury and dog bite lawyers in California, including Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Sacramento. Hire one of our car accident lawyers to help you get justice. Also, they can give you insight about complicated topics, including car accident settlements and more. In addition, they can help you:

• Prove negligence
• Define the Cost of Damages
• Build a strong claim
• Negotiate a Settlement
• Proceed with important deadlines in mind

Give us a call today at 888-960-0480 for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you.

[INFOGRAPHIC] How Can A Dog Bite Lawyer in California Help Me

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