At Maison Law, we advocate on behalf of dog bite accident victims across California on a “contingency fee” basis. This means whether you are charged or not for our services will be contingent on the outcome of your case. So, in the case of a dog bite accident, we will represent you free of charge and only get paid a fixed percentage of your settlement if we win your case. If we do not win your case, then you owe us nothing. To speak to a dog bite accident attorney today, contact Maison Law for a free consultation.
Contingency Fee Arrangements for a Dog Bite Accident in California
Contingency agreements are usually what a lawyer will have you sign if they agree to take you on as a client and you agree to have them represent you in your legal matter. According to the American Bar Association, most dog bite accident lawyers will accept a fixed percentage of the final settlement amount if the plaintiff (their client) wins their case. If the plaintiff loses the case, they are not responsible for paying any lawyer’s fees whatsoever.
Some lawyers may elect to only work on a retainer. In this case, a specified payment is required for the attorney to begin working on your dog bite case. However, injured dog bite accident victims should be wary of entering into a retainer agreement as they could be non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of your case.
In certain circumstances, some dog bite accident attorneys will charge an hourly fee for their services. Hundreds of hours are spent on personal injury cases, so accident victims should be cautious before agreeing to an hourly wage. Hourly wages can be several hundred dollars per hour, which can end up costing a substantial sum, even if the case is not successful. If you have additional questions about your case, please do not hesitate to contact Maison Law for all your legal questions.
Costs Associated with Partnering with a Dog Bite Accident Attorney in California
Depending on the details of your case, there could be additional costs that will be taken out of your settlement. An experienced dog bite accident attorney should make you aware of additional costs as they arise, however, it is always good to understand the expenses you may be accumulating as your lawsuit progresses. Fees and costs associated with a dog bite accident lawsuit may include:
- Copy fees
- Cost of obtaining medical records, accident reports, and other necessary records
- Cost of securing expert witnesses
- Cost of travel and lodging expenses for you and anyone else involved in your case
- Expenses related to independent accident investigations
- Deposition costs and fees
- Postage costs
- Trial costs (if necessary)
How to Recover Damages from a Dog Bite Accident in California
California allowed a “one free bite” rule until it was eliminated in 1931 by the strict liability law. This dog places liability squarely on the shoulders of the owner, even if this is the first time their dog has bitten someone. In order to recover damages from a dog bite, the victim must prove:
- The dog was owned by the defendant
- The bite took place on public property or the victim has a lawful right to be on private property when they were bit
- The victim suffered an injury as a direct result of the dog bite
Contact a Dog Bite Accident Lawyer in California
California is a strict liability state, meaning if an owner’s dog bites you, then you are not required to show that the dog had bitten anyone previously in order to file a lawsuit and get compensated for your damages. The dog bite attorneys at Maison Law are advocates for dog bite victims across the Golden State and will help you recover the maximum amount of damages for your injury. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation to see what legal options are available to you.
