What is a Level 3 Dog Bite?

Level 3 dog bites are defined by the number of punctures from a shallow bite, with no bite going deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. For a level 3 dog bite to occur, a dog must move beyond warning behavior and inflict minor to moderate injury. A level 3 dog bite also indicates the dog bit down with enough force to break the skin. Level 3 dog bites carry the risk of infection, which can occur whenever the skin is broken during a dog attack, so it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately.

To understand the legal options available to you after a dog bite incident, contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

What Victims Should Do Immediately After a Level 3 Dog Bite Incident in California

If you’re bitten by a dog, the most important thing you do is remove yourself from the dog’s presence. Once the dog is no longer a threat, you should immediately start treating your injury by performing the following steps:

• Look over the wound to note if the skin is broken or not
• Wash the wound with non-scented soap and warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the wound is dirty, it may require extended cleaning time
• Stop the bleeding by putting pressure on the wound with a clean cloth until it has stopped
• Apply antibiotic ointment if available will help decrease infection
• Dress the wound with a clean dry bandage

To take the appropriate legal action and begin building your case immediately after a dog bite incident, you should:

• Document the incident: take photos and write down details of your injuries, the dog, and your surroundings.
• Exchange information with the dog owner: get the owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance info. If any witnesses were on the scene, collect their contact information and record their testimony if possible.
• Report the incident to Animal Control: contact your local animal control agency and report the bite. An investigation by animal control will not only be helpful to your case, but can prevent future injuries.
• Speak to an attorney: discuss your legal options with an experienced Dog Bite Attorney by contacting Maison Law today.

Exceptions to Dog Bite Liability

There are exceptions when a dog owner is not liable for someone being bit by their dog. These exceptions include:

• Provocation: if the dog bite victim provoked the dog or engaged in aggressive behavior
• Trespassing: if the victim was bitten due to unlawful trespassing on the property
• Lack of injury: if the victim was not significantly harmed and no medical treatment was required
• Assumption of risk: if the victim was aware of the risk of interacting with the dog
• Contributory negligence: the victim was careless, which resulted in the dog bite
• Lack of causation: the owner’s actions did not cause the bite to occur

Also, it is important to note that California Civil Code Section 3342 (b) removes dog bite liability from government agents dogs, stating:

“Nothing in this section shall authorize the bringing of an action pursuant to subdivision (a) against any governmental agency using a dog in military or police work if the bite or bites occurred while the dog was defending itself from an annoying, harassing, or provoking act, or assisting an employee of the agency in any of the following:

1. In the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has a reasonable suspicion of the suspect’s involvement in criminal activity.
2. In the investigation of a crime or possible crime.
3. In the execution of a warrant.
4. In the defense of a peace officer or another person.

Contact a Level 3 Dog Bite Lawyer in California

The dog bite attorneys at Maison Law are advocates for dog bite victims across the Golden State and we understand how important it is to injured victims that their damages are accounted for. Our law firm takes dog bite injuries very seriously and getting you the compensation you need is our top priority. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation to see what legal options are available to you. Clients at Maison Law are only charged a fixed percentage of their settlement if their case is won. There are no upfront charges or hidden fees for our services.