Maison Law represents dog bite victims in Glendale. If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a dog bite or due to the aggressive nature of a dog, the Dog Bite Attorneys at Maison Law are here to help.
Whether you were bitten while jogging or a dog chased you and caused you to fall and suffer injuries, our firm will take the necessary legal steps to make sure you are fully compensated for your medical bills, missed time at work, and mental trauma.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. Get a no-cost, no-obligation consultation from one of our experienced lawyers by contacting us today.
How Maison Law Can Help
Dog bite victims in Glendale have the right to compensation, according to California law. Maison Law is here to protect those rights. An unfortunate aspect of recovering essential compensation after a dog bite is that most insurance companies will minimize your trauma and offer you the lowest amount possible. Why would they do that? Insurance companies are a business, and the lower amount they get you to accept, the more money they keep.
But at Maison Law, our business is protecting your right to compensation by ensuring the insurance company pays you for the following damages:
- Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
- Medical bills
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of property
- Cost of property repair or replacement
- Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party.
- Reckless behavior (allowing a known viscous dog to be in a position to harm someone)
- Actions performed out of spite
Examples of Dog Bite Scenarios in Glendale
Dog bites can happen whenever an owner is not taking proper precautions with their dog. Even if the owner is unaware that their dog may be aggressive, they can still be liable for the damages inflicted by their dog. This is because there is no telling when a dog may act erratically around another person. Examples of when people in Glendale may suffer a dog bite include:
- A person walking in Crescenta Valley Dog Park and an unleashed dog runs up on them and bite their leg. The owner is liable, especially if the bite occurred in a non-designated off-leash zone.
- A person delivering a package is bitten by a dog that has escaped their leash, enclosure, or home, and they bite the delivery person. The owner can be held liable for not properly securing their dog.
- If you’re hiking at Brand Library Hiking Trail and a dog on or off their leash lunges at you and bites your arm. The owner can be liable for not safely walking their dog around other people. These damages can be amplified if the owner was aware of their dog’s aggressive behavior.
- A child is bitten by a dog in a friend’s home. If the child is an invited guest, then the homeowners are responsible for the safety of their guests.
- If a trespasser is bitten by a property owner’s dog, the property owner can still be liable for damages if they failed to warn about the dog or secure the dog in a way that prevented them from doing harm, even to a trespasser.
What Is Considered a Dog Bite in California?
California law defines a dog bite as any incident where a dog’s teeth comes into contact with a person and causes them bodily injury. Contrary to popular belief, an attack does not have to break the skin or leave a visible wound to be considered a dog bite. For example, a dog may attack a person and cause them to take a nasty fall and break their arm. In most cases, this person would be eligible for compensation under California dog bite law.
Comparative Negligence in Glendale Dog Bite Incidents
If you’re bitten by a dog in Glendale, the state’s Comparative Negligence Law allows for your compensation to be reduced by a certain percentage at which you are found at fault. For example, your compensation can be reduced if you are found liable for any of the following:
- 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
- Assumption of risk: if you’re aware of the risk of interacting with a dangerous dog
- Contributory negligence: you acted in a careless manner, which resulted in the dog bite
- Lack of causation: the owner’s actions did not cause the bite to occur
If you are partially at fault for any of the above reasons, then a jury or judge will assign you a percentage of fault to both you and the dog owner, reducing your compensation accordingly. For example, if you’re found 30% at fault, and you’re awarded $100k, then you’re reward will be reduced by 30%. This will leave you with $70k in compensation. So, even if you are partially to blame for your dog bite injury, you should not be dissuaded from seeking legal representation through Maison Law.
Dog Bite Liability Under California Law
California Civil Code Section 3342(a) states that the owner of any dog is liable for damages caused by a dog bite. Even if the dog has not shown any aggressive behavior in the past, the owner is still liable.
California is a strict liability state, so it does not matter whether the dog owner was careless or not; they are still liable if their dog bites another person. The law also states the owner is liable if the victim is bitten on public or lawfully private property.
California has such a strict dog bite liability law because, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, it has more dog bite injury-related claims than any other state.
Penal Code 399 California Dangerous Animal Ownership Law
California Penal Code 399 makes it a crime to own or keep a dangerous animal in California. Dangerous animals can include dogs that are known to have aggressive tendencies. Owners can suffer penalties if they fail to take steps to control it, which results in somebody getting seriously injured or killed.
Under this law, owners can be criminally charged for injuries or damages caused by their animals. In addition, injured victims are also entitled to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the animal owner.
Dangerous Dog Breeds in Glendale
According to research done by DogsBite.org, the most dangerous dog breeds are pitt bull terriers and rottweilers who account for 76% of all dog-bite-related fatalities. Other dangerous dog breeds, based on dog bite incidents, include:
- Pit bulls
- German Shepherds
- Huskies
- Chow chows
- Boxers
- Alaskan Malamutes
- Doberman Pinschers
Even if a dog is well-trained and easy-going around people, they may decide to defend themselves if they feel stressed for any reason. Dogs may also attempt to bite someone if they are attempting to guard their territory. It is the owner’s responsibility to control their dog’s stress level and tendencies to get into a defensive mood around people.
Premise Liability in Glendale Dog Bite Cases
When a dog bite occurs on someone’s property, the property owner could be sued for premises liability, depending on the circumstances. In this section, we’ll cover scenarios where a property owner could be found liable for a premises liability if their dog bites someone.
California law states that property owners have a duty of care to maintain a safe environment for visitors. This includes taking the necessary steps to prevent foreseeable harm. This can extend to dog bites, where a property owner might be held liable for the following scenarios:
- Knowledge of a dangerous dog: if the property owner knew their dog was dangerous and failed to warn visitors, they could be held responsible.
- Failure to enforce lease agreement: If a landlord allows a tenant to keep a dog, even though it violates the lease agreement, and the dog injures someone, the landlord could be held responsible.
- Careless security: If a property owner does not secure a dog or post warning signs, and the dog attacks someone, they can be held liable.
- Failure to remove a known threat: If a landlord received complaints about a dangerous dog and failed to act, they could be held responsible.
When is a Dog Owner NOT Liable for Their Dog Biting Someone?
If someone is bitten while lawfully on another person’s property or in a public space, they can take legal action against the dog owner. However, there are exceptions when dog bite victims are not entitled to compensation. These exceptions apply if:
- The victim was trespassing or was not legally permitted to enter the property: trespassers may not be entitled to compensation for a dog bite, but the owner may still be at fault if they failed to restrain the dog or provide proper warning, even for trespassers.
- The victim provoked the attack: victims who are bitten due to harassing, striking, or annoying the animal may not be entitled to full compensation.
- The victims knew there was a risk of being bitten: veterinarians, kennel workers, and other dog-care professionals may not be entitled to compensation after a dog bite because they assume the risk by working in that specific field.
- The dog was a law enforcement dog: dogs operating at a crime scene or helping law enforcement are considered government entities and are protected from personal injury lawsuits. Unless the victim was an innocent bystander, it will be difficult to receive compensation for a dog bite from a government dog.
Dog Bite Severity in Glendale Dog Bite Cases
A major factor in determining the value of a dog bite case is the level of dog bite severity. Usually, the more severe a dog bite is, the higher the settlement. Dog bite severity is graded on the Dunbar Bite Scale, which includes the following levels:
- Level 1: Aggressive behavior, but no skin contact. This could mean the dog was growling, showing its teeth, or snapping at someone.
- Level 2: Teeth make contact with a victim but does not break their skin. A dog will typically do this when it is stressed or uncomfortable. The result is usually teeth marks on the victims without breaking the skin.
- Level 3: A single bite with shallow wounds. 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.
- Level 4: A single bite with deep wounds. A level 4 bite consists of one to four deep punctures of a person’s skin, with at least one puncture deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. These are dangerous bites, as the dog may shake its head while biting, refusing to let go.
- Level 5: Level five bites are similar to level four, only they have multiple bites that occur during the attack. Dogs responsible for level 5 bites are considered dangerous and may need rehabilitation.
- Level 6: This level results in the death of a victim, or flesh consumed. Dogs who commit level 6 bites are not safe to be around humans or other animals. In these rare cases, authorities will determine if euthanasia is necessary.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites remain a significant public health issue as they become more frequent each year. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States, with an estimated 800,000 requiring medical attention.
If you’re bitten by a dog, the most important thing you can do is remove yourself from the dog’s presence. Next, you should check yourself for injuries. The most common injuries that result from a dog bite include:
- Lacerations
- Abrasions
- Puncture wounds
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
Even if you’ve only discovered that your injuries are minor, it is always important to seek immediate medical attention and contact animal control or the police. Even minor dog bites can contain bacteria that could lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
If you have questions about your legal standing after a dog bite, or need help accessing medical care, contact Maison Law today. Our door is always open to those in need in the Glendale community.
What if I’m Injured in a Dog Chase Accident in Glendale?
Glendale roadways have evolved to create a safe and accessible way for bicyclists, joggers, and walkers to share the road. While outdoor activities have never been safer in Glendale, people may still be vulnerable to dogs who may view the outdoor-loving public as trespassers or threats. This may seem like a rare occurrence, but dog-related accidents occur more often than you think.
According to the National Library of Medicine, over 35,000 bicyclists, joggers, and mail carriers visit the ER each year, with many of those injuries due to being chased by a dog. Legally, these incidents are treated the same way as a dog bite incident, in that the dog owner would be held responsible for the damage caused by their dog. The legal outcomes for these injuries will vary based on whether carelessness by the dog owner can be proven. That’s where Maison Law can help.
Proving Dog Bite Liability in California
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 had a lawful right to be on private property when they were bitten
- The victim suffered an injury as a direct result of the dog bite
When a claim is filed for a dog bite incident, evidence is typically how these cases are determined. At Maison Law, we understand that evidence is the foundation on which your dog bite case stands. It provides a factual baseline to establish liability against the dog owner, demonstrate the extent of your injuries, and justify the compensation you are owed.
The evidence we gather for the majority of our injured dog bite victims includes:
- Documentation from animal control
- Police reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Video surveillance of the attack
- Medical records (pre and post-dog bite)
- Copy of the dog owner’s insurance policy
- Prescription drug costs, bank statements, and other out-of-pocket expenses
- Pictures of the wound and where the incident occurred
Dog Bite Settlements in Glendale
The settlement amount for a dog bite injury claim varies significantly on a case-by-case basis. However, there are various factors that can help determine the value of your case such as:
- Extent of damages
- Medical treatment needed
- Insurance coverage limit
- Determination of fault
When it comes to your dog bite settlement, the details of your case matter. For example, if you only sustained minor injuries from the attack or you were partially liable for the incident, your settlement could result in a lower amount. So, when considering settlements for dog bite injuries, they will generally fall into three categories:
- Low Settlements: Minor accidents with little to no injuries can result in a low settlement in the low thousands to cover damage done to your property and medical bills to treat minor injuries.
- Moderate Settlements: moderate settlements can range anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. These dog bite cases usually involve medical treatment for significant injuries, some missed work, and longer recovery periods.
- High Settlements: High settlements typically involve dog bite injury incidents with severe injuries, long-term medical treatment, permanent disabilities, or fatalities. Settlements can be substantial, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars and up to millions of dollars.
Contact Maison Law | Glendale Dog Bite Lawyers
After years of advocating on behalf of dog bite victims in California, we understand that dog bites not only result in physical injuries but often cause victims to suffer long-lasting mental trauma and expensive medical treatment. By law, injured dog bite victims have the right to hold dog owners responsible for damages done to their lives through a lawsuit.
At Maison Law, we’ll help you recover compensation for your current and future damages caused by an unfortunate dog bite incident. Some cases are straightforward, and others require extensive investigations to prove liability. Regardless of the nature of your case, we can help. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront fees for our services and you will not be charged anything until we win your case.
