Dog attacks and dog bite injuries in Orange County, California, can inflict catastrophic damage. In California, the law does not make proof of negligence (or a lack of proper care) a requirement to receive a settlement from a pet owner’s insurance company to pay for a dog bite injury. Dog owners are responsible for their pets regardless of the question of negligence.
It can be difficult as the victim of a serious dog attack in Southern California to achieve a fair settlement from an insurance company for serious or long-term injuries. If you or a loved one has been severely hurt by a dog anywhere in Orange County, contact our Orange County dog bite lawyers at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for legal advice, assistance and advocacy you can count on.
Why Clients Choose Our Orange County Dog Bite Lawyers
- Our award-winning personal injury legal team knows how to go after maximum results for serious dog bite injuries. We have recovered close to $2 billion on behalf of our personal injury clients.
- Our Orange County attorneys understand state and local dog bite laws. We’ve been fighting for the rights of dog bite victims in California since 1990.
- We take personal injury cases in Orange County (including dog bite injuries) on a contingency fee basis, which means we charge $0 if we don’t win.
What Can an Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer Do?
An experienced Orange County personal injury attorney will know exactly what your dog bite case needs to succeed. As you spend time healing and recuperating after a vicious dog attack, your lawyer will handle legal tasks for you with careful attention to detail. Unlike an insurer, which will put itself first, your lawyer will be dedicated to your success and healthy recovery.
A dog bite injury lawyer can investigate the event, collect pertinent evidence, speak with animal control or law enforcement authorities about the attack, assess your injuries and losses, and aggressively negotiate for maximum compensation from an insurer as your representative. If an insurance company refuses to offer a settlement, an attorney can take your case to court.
Types of Financial Compensation Available for a Dog Bite Injury
If a dog attack in Southern California leaves you with serious or catastrophic injuries and a range of related expenses, you may be eligible for compensation. Under California’s dog bite injury laws, a claim could lead to damages for:
- Current and future medical expenses related to dog bite care
- Surgeries, rehabilitation and therapies
- Cosmetic procedures to remedy scarring or disfigurement
- Medical devices or prosthetics
- Lost wages and future capacity to earn
- Long-term or permanent disability
- Pain, suffering and emotional trauma
- Psychological counseling
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, in fatal cases
- Punitive damages, if a pet owner is grossly negligent
The lawyers at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian can review your case to accurately calculate your dog bite injury damages. With this information, we can strategize to seek a fair and full settlement from the correct insurance company/ies on your behalf.
Dog Attacks Can Inflict Serious Injuries
Dog bites can lead to some of the most painful, severe and harmful injuries. The level of injury will depend on the nature of the attack, the breed and size of the dog, and whether the victim was a vulnerable child or an elderly person. Victims often require hospitalization due to injuries such as:
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Severe puncture wounds
- Bone fractures
- Tissue and nerve damage
- Facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Eye or ear injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Crush injuries from the dog’s jaws
- Injuries and infections from scratches
- Losses of fingers or limbs
- Diseases such as rabies
- Wound infections
In many cases, dog bite injuries inflict long-term or permanent damage, such as significant scarring, disfigurement, hearing or vision loss, and wrongful death. All dog bite injuries deserve immediate medical care and professional treatment.
California Dog Bite Laws
In most states, liability or financial accountability for a dog bite injury is determined using one of two key legal doctrines: strict liability or the one-bite rule (scienter). California is a strict liability state under California Civil Code §3342. This law states:
(a) 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.
Strict liability means that someone can be held accountable for an injury regardless of whether or not that person was negligent. In California, if a dog bites and injures you, the pet owner can be held automatically liable for your losses – even if the dog had no prior bite incidents or history of aggression.
California is not a one-bite state, where a dog gets one “free” bite and a victim must prove that the owner knew or reasonably should have known that the dog might be vicious. While negligence or a lack of proper care – such as violating local leash laws or harboring a dangerous dog – can be used to prove a dog bite injury claim in Orange County, this is not typically necessary.
What to Do if You Are Bitten By a Dog in Orange County
Try to stay calm after getting bitten by a dog in Orange County. In an emergency, call 911. Get to a safe place and assess your injuries. Always get prompt medical care and document your treatments and related expenses. If you can, get the pet owner’s contact information before you leave the scene.
Report the dog bite injury to Orange County Animal Care. Take pictures of your injuries as they heal. Under California’s statute of limitations, you generally have two years from the date of your dog bite injury to pursue a personal injury claim. However, it is recommended that you seek legal advice from an attorney much sooner.
Contact Us for a Free Dog Bite Injury Case Evaluation in Orange County
After a dog attack, a victim’s life may never be the same. At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our personal injury lawyers are passionate about seeking justice and fair financial compensation for individuals and families after severe dog bite injuries in Orange County and throughout California.
Find out how we can help you with a specific case during a free initial consultation. Call (949) 831-6611 24/7 to set up your meeting with a knowledgeable dog bite attorney.