Maison Law represents Glendale dog bite victims. Victims who suffer bites at local dog parks can ask dog owners for financial help during recovery. Our dog bite lawyers can help victims secure the most in compensation available for their injuries. If you or a loved one have been bitten, please contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out what your case may be worth and how to hold dog owners and insurance companies fully responsible.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Suffering a Dog Bite at a Dog Park?
If a dog bite results in only minor scratches, you might not need the help of your lawyer over such a very minor injury. But when puncture wounds are deeper or bones are fractured, a lawyer can be a valuable protection for your case involving a serious injury.
In most cases, you’ll be able to seek compensation from the dog owner’s homeowners or renter’s insurance policy. However, insurance adjusters won’t accept responsibility without a fight. They will try to blame you for what happened or find doctors who will testify that your injuries aren’t as serious as they seem. Your Glendale dog bite lawyer blocks these shady tactics and aggressively seeks the maximum in benefits available for you and your family.
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite at a Dog Park?
A visit to a local dog park like the one at Griffith Park can make for dogs and their human companions. But being enclosed with so many pups can come with risks. Dogs can become confused or frightened in a park setting and bite someone. Dogs might also get into a fight or be playing too rough when a nearby victim suffers a bite.
Dogs don’t usually intend to hurt anyone, but victims can suffer devastating wounds that may affect their ability to use their hands or feet permanently. They may suffer a permanent disfigurement that makes victims avoid going out into public. These and other hardships should never be the financial responsibilities of the victims.
California law protects those suffering dog bites by allowing them to file injury claims against dog owners. Due to the legal concept of “strict liability” a legal claim is possible, even when it’s the first time a dog has ever bitten anyone. Strict liability is a way to make it easier to identify who is legally responsible for a bite. It’s usually the dog owner.
Dog victims could file lawsuits unless one of the following were true:
- The victim was trespassing at the time of the bite. (most dog parks are public places)
- The victim provoked the dog into an attack.
Otherwise, a dog bite victim could seek help with ambulance fees, emergency room bills, and money to pay for any medical care needed in the months to come. A full recovery should be the goal and victims must get help paying for recovery for as long as it takes.
Could I Sue the City of Glendale After Getting Bit at a Dog Park?
In most instances, no. City-operated dog parks would be considered “use at your own risk” locations. Glendale is protected from lawsuits resulting from the reasonable risks that go along with visiting a dog park. The dog owner would usually be the only party to sue after a dog bite.
However, if a hazard contributed to your bite went beyond the normal risks you could expect at a dog park, a lawsuit may be possible. Your lawyer would help you collect evidence to prove that a park owner or operator was negligent in keeping visitors safe.
With a case like this, you’ll need to contact a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. City and state governments hide behind special statutes of limitations that limit how long you can wait to file an injury claim.
Dog Bites at Apartment Community Dog Parks
Some people choose to live in one apartment complex over another based on which one includes a dog park for residents. It’s a nice feature for pet owners, but, unfortunately, there are bite dangers here too.
The liability for dog bites for the landlord or property management company would be similar to the liability for city parks departments. The dog park would be posted as a “use at your own risk” feature. You may even have to sign a waiver saying you accept the risk of using a dog park.
But as mentioned above, if a hazard went beyond the normal risks associated with a dog park, a property owner could be liable. If a certain dog is identified as dangerous and a landlord does nothing to keep the owner from bringing the dog to the dog park, you may have a case against the dog owner and the apartment owners if you suffer a bite.
Contact a Glendale Dog Bite Lawyer
California law allows dog bite victims up to two years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim. Victims can seek reimbursement for things like their hospital bills and their lost time at work. They should also be compensated for the pain they endure and the emotional trauma suffered during a dog bite incident and during a difficult recovery.
After you or a loved one has suffered a serious dog bite at a dog park, contact a Glendale Dog Bite Lawyer to discuss your case, free of charge. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out about all the benefits available to you and how to hold an insurance company fully responsible.
You won’t need any upfront money if you decide we can help you earn the most for your dog bite wound and recovery. If you hire us, we don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the insurance settlement check you receive.
