Elk Grove Dog Bite Lawyer
Bitten or attacked by someone's dog? Fight back! Call 916-714-7672 today.
Elk Grove Dog Bite Attorney
Dogs are an important part of our lives, but they may sometimes be unpredictable. An interaction with a dog can turn dangerous if they bite you – leaving you with a potential injury that can send you to the hospital and leave you temporarily handicapped. Contacting an Elk Grove dog bite lawyer may allow you to receive adequate compensation in this unfortunate situation.
Personal injury attorneys at Guenard & Bozarth, LLP provide compassionate legal representation to the Elk Grove and Northern California communities. If you sustained an injury from a dog bite in Elk Grove, they could assist you in understanding your rights.
Responsibility of Dog Owners in California
What to Do Following a Dog Bite in Elk Grove
Despite the numerous regulations available to keep people safe, dog bites are still a concern. There was a reported 70% increase in the number of dog bite-related emergency room visits in California from 2005 to 2022.
There are a few critical things you should do in case of a dog bite.
Take care of your injury: Following a dog bite, it is important to sanitize the bitten area, and if necessary, visit the emergency room.
Contact animal control: Contact the Elk Grove Police Department’s animal control unit to report the injury, especially if the dog poses a continued danger or if you are unable to find the dog’s owner.
Speak with a personal injury attorney: Depending on the circumstance of the dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. It is highly recommended that you speak with a qualified personal injury attorney to learn more about your options.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim Following a Dog Bite
California Civil Code 3342 states that the owner of a dog is liable for any injury resulting from a dog bite, whether in a public space or on private property, including that of the dog owner. Moreover, there is liability regardless of whether the dog owner knew of the dog’s viciousness.
Though the law tries to be clear, there are some gray areas that may make it difficult to determine if you have the right to file a personal injury claim following a dog bite. This is why you should have the support of an Elk Grove dog bite lawyer who understands the law and has represented clients in a California court.
A dog bite incident may allow you to file a civil claim and seek compensation. There are several steps you should take to ensure your claim is successful:
- Document the incident. It is necessary to provide evidence and witnesses that can attest to the circumstances of the incident, including the dog owner’s actions and that of their pets, as well as your actions.
- File the claim in a suitable time frame. You are required to submit a claim within two years of the dog bite incident.
- Participate in alternative dispute resolution. This gives you and the dog owner a chance to come to a settlement from the dog bite incident without going to court.
If you and the dog owner cannot reach a settlement, a skilled injury attorney may be able to represent you in court and argue on your behalf to obtain adequate compensation.
FAQs
Q: How Much Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in California?
A: How much you can sue for a dog bite in California depends on factors like the extent of your injury and the damages caused by the dog bite. Damages may include medical expenses, loss of wages, and non-physical harm from the incident. The final dollar amount can vary depending on whether you file a limited civil case or an unlimited civil case.
Q: Do Doctors Have to Report Dog Bites in California?
A: Sacramento County requires all medical professionals to report incidents of dog bites. This is to ensure that the animal is not a danger to the community. If someone is bitten by a dog and they do not seek medical attention, they should still contact Elk Grove Animal Services. Animal owners have a responsibility for keeping others safe from their animal. This is why there are reporting standards in place.
Q: What to Do if Someone Sues You for a Dog Bite?
A: If you are a dog owner and your dog bites someone, you are held responsible under California’s strict liability law. This may lead a victim of the dog bite to file an injury claim with a Sacramento County court. If you are served a claim, it is important to seek the counsel of a seasoned attorney to represent you. You can also contact your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance to know whether or not they can cover a dog bite incident.
Q: What Happens if a Street Dog Bites Me?
A: If you are bitten by a street dog, or you are unable to locate the owner of the dog, you should contact animal control, in addition to seeking medical help. The animal control officers should investigate and may be able to locate the dog’s owner or figure out who is responsible for the dog being on the street.
Elk Grove Dog Bite Lawyer | Injury Attorney
What can seem like a simple incident can turn into a difficult health emergency. Dog bites can be prevented, but this is not always the case. If you have suffered a personal injury from a dog bite, working with an Elk Grove dog bite lawyer from the start can lead to you receiving appropriate compensation for your medical expenses and other damages.
With decades of providing counsel to clients in Sacramento County, the legal team at Guenard & Bozarth, LLP is ready to support you if you decide to pursue an injury claim following a dog bite incident. Contact our office and speak with a member of our dedicated team today.
Elk Grove Practice Areas
Vehicle Accidents
INJURY PRACTICE AREAS
VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
We will promptly investigate your car, motorcycle or truck crash to pursue maximum damages.
INJURIES ON PROPERTY
Wrongful Death
PERSONAL INJURY
We fight back when legitimate claims are unfairly denied by insurance companies.
INSURANCE BAD FAITH
Bad faith litigation is becoming more common as the insurance industry continues to engage in dishonest practices that trample the rights of policyholders.
INSURANCE COMPANIES KNOW US BECAUSE THEY’VE PAID OUR CLIENTS OVER $130 MILLION DOLLARS.
$2.9
MILLION
CAR ACCIDENT INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth llp obtained a $2,962,903 jury verdict in the Sacramento County Superior Court for plaintiff David Schoonover, who suffered head and neck injuries and fractures in a head-on accident on Roseville Road in Roseville on July 22, 2012
$300
THOUSAND
HAIR SALON INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth LLP recently settled a case for $300,000 involving a hair weave that went terribly wrong. Our client was a young lady, and aspiring model, who experienced pressure necrosis from a tight weave and it changed her life.
$500
THOUSAND
SLIP & FALL INJURY
Guenard & Bozarth LLP recently settled a slip and fall case for $500,000 a couple weeks before trial. The client slipped and fell on a wet piece of cardboard in a grocery store and sustained a serious shoulder injury that required surgery.
$300
THOUSAND
NEGLIGENCE INJURY
On February 13, 2013 Maricela, a Certified Nursing Assistant presented to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Emergency Room with complaint of neck and back pain. She was diagnosed with a neck strain and was given Ibuprofen and instructed to return if her symptoms did not subside.
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