
Dog Bites
Palm Springs Dog Bite Attorney
Personal Injury Lawyer for the Coachella Valley in California
In California, if you are bitten by a dog, the owner of the animal is liable for your injuries even if he or she was not negligent and the dog had no previous history of attack. This is called strict liability. The California Civil Code makes dog owners liable and accountable for the injuries their pets may inflict on others. Those who choose to have dogs as pets must accept the burden of their pet's behavior, regardless of whether or not the owner was negligent in handling or housing their dogs.
Have you been bit or scratched by an animal? Call (760) 440-5643 to schedule a free consultation with our Palm Springs dog bite lawyer.
Dog Bites Are Common
Dog bites and attacks account for many emergency room and other medical treatments, mostly for children. In a majority of these cases, the victim is another family member, a neighbor, or a friend of the dog owner. Most dog bites occur because the dog owner allowed the dog to escape the yard or home. Almost all cities and counties have, "leash laws". Failure of the dog owner to keep his or her dog on a leash in public is considered negligence under the law. If the unleashed dog jumps up on a person and causes injury, the dog owner is responsible for all of the injured person's money damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of income and earning capacity.
Dog bite injures can result in:
- Bone fractures or broken bones
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Infection
- Scarring
- Emotional distress
Severe dog bites can result in infection or permanent scarring. These scars can require expensive plastic and reconstructive surgery to repair. Unfortunately even with the best medical treatment available there can still be permanent scarring. The law allows the scarred dog bite victim to obtain money damages for the pain and suffering and the emotional injuries due to the embarrassment from the scars.
California's Dog Bite Statute of Limitations
If you have been bitten by a dog, you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action against the dog's owner under California's personal injury statute of limitations. Dog bite victims in California have two years to file a lawsuit in court, meaning you have until the second anniversary of the attack to pursue compensation for your losses. If you file a claim after this deadline expires, the court will almost certainly refuse to hear your case and you will be unable to pursue legal recourse.
Since the statute of limitations can ultimately make or break your claim, it is important to act quickly after a dog attack and retain strong legal representation to ensure you have enough time to meet all applicable legal deadlines.
Talk to the Coachella Valley Dog Bite Attorney About Your Case
If you or someone you know has been injured by a dog in Palm Springs or any of the Coachella Valley communities, you should contact the Palm Springs dog bite lawyer at Barry Regar APLC without delay. As a personal injury attorney for the Coachella Valley, Mr. Regar has successfully represented thousands of clients in all types of injury cases. You have the right to be fully informed about your legal rights if you are a dog bite victim. Consult with this firm before an insurance broker tries to claim you don’t have a case.
Contact the Palm Springs dog bite lawyer at the firm if you have been injured by a dog anywhere in the Coachella Valley today. We work on contingency fees and speak both English and Spanish.
