Dog bite victims in Lodi can seek damages from dog owners in most cases. This support should include the full coverage of all medical bills and the reimbursement for all lost income while victims can’t work.
If you or a loved one has been bitten, please contact Maison Law 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 their insurance companies fully responsible.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Suffering a Dog Bite?
If your bite wound is deep or if you suffer a broken bone, you should speak to a skilled Lodi dog bite lawyer about what your case is worth.
When your wound is more than just a few scrapes or bruises, the hospital bills can quickly pile up. This can tempt insurance companies for dog owners to turn to tactics meant to rob you and your family of compensation, just when you need it most. A lawyer protects you from these tactics and fights to maximize your injury claim so that you don’t have to worry about finances in the future.
A skilled lawyer can often win dog bite victims much more than they could by taking on an insurance company themselves.
Dog Bite Dangers in Lodi
You may be walking around an apartment complex or along a path at Vinewood Park when you get bitten by a dog that is off-leash. Or maybe it’s a dog that’s been given too much leash.
Your child may be playing in the backyard when a loose dog runs up to bite vulnerable body parts. You might suffer a bite after a dog chases down your bicycle or motorcycle.
A bite can easily slice inches into the skin, especially with a child who has less tissue as protection.
These are just a few of the potential injuries that may send victims to Adventist Health Lodi Memorial:
- Punctures wounds and cuts
- Tissue Damage, including ligament, tendon, and muscle tears
- Nerve Damage
- Crushing Injuries
- Organ damage
- Eye and throat injuries
- Disfigurements and scars
- Infections, including Rabies and Tetanus
Who is Responsible for a Dog Bite in California?
California is a “strict liability” dog bite state. It means when bites occur, little proof is needed to show who is responsible. The dog owner is generally liable in most circumstances.
The few exceptions would be the following:
- The victim can’t have been trespassing
- The victim must not have provoked the dog.
- The attack must involve a bite. Strict liability doesn’t apply unless a bite, no matter how minor, occurs.
The dog owner bears full responsibility for the consequences, even if the dog had no record of aggression. In some states, the dog owner isn’t always liable for a bite if it’s the first time the dog has lashed out. But California doesn’t grant this so-called “one-bite rule” protection to dog owners.
What if I’m Knocked Down by a Dog and Injured?
A dog attack that doesn’t involve a bite wound can still earn you compensation, but “strict liability” can’t be used to determine fault.
Dogs can do plenty of harm without intending to, just by jumping around. Someone can be knocked to the floor and hit their head on the way down. Victims can be bumped down stairs to suffer a hip injury. Owners are still required to keep people safe from their pets.
The burden of proof for these injuries will be higher, without a bite involved. In other words, you’d have to show those non-bite injuries, such as a broken wrist caused by a fall, were indeed caused by the dog’s actions and the owner’s negligence.
A skilled dog bite attorney would be collecting the evidence necessary to show the owner’s lack of restraint on the dog and liability for the damages caused.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an injury claim after a dog bite?
You have two years from the date of the dog bite to file an injury claim. You should take action soon so that your attorney has the best chance to collect evidence before it disappears. Tracking down a dog and the dog’s owner can also become more difficult.
What if I can’t afford a dog bite lawyer?
You won’t need any money up front to hire strong legal representation. Maison Law’s dog bite lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means they don’t get paid unless they win your case. Then, your lawyer gets paid out of the award you receive.
What type of support should I ask for after suffering a dog bite?
The totals on your medical bills you have now and any anticipated medical expenses in the months ahead must all be covered in a settlement check. With a dog bite, that can include long-term physical therapy costs. The sum of your paychecks and benefits you lose while you can’t make it to work should be fully reimbursed. The emotional and physical pain experienced in a frightening attack and during a long recovery can also earn additional support. Child victims may need additional support for the future because wounds now can flare up as they mature and affect their development into adulthood.
Contact a Lodi Dog Bite Lawyer
After you or a loved one has suffered a serious dog bite, reach out to a Lodi Dog Bite Injury Attorney to go over your case.
We offer a free and confidential case evaluation to any dog bite victim in San Joaquin County. Maison Law wants to hear about what happened and then help you determine the best path to getting the support your family needs.
Consult with an attorney as soon as possible after a dog bite. There are benefits available to you and your family that insurance companies won’t be informing you of.
