Dog parks are a necessity in major cities throughout Monterey County, including Salinas. Salinas is home to many dog parks, including Natividad Creek Park and Pacchetti Dog Park. With so many wonderful places to take dogs, you would never expect that dangers could be around the corner. However, dog parks are just one more area where the reality of dog bites could happen at any time.
Our attorneys at Maison Law are here to represent you through the difficulties and turmoil that a dog bite attack can cause. An owner or other liable parties should be held responsible for the pain and suffering that they caused you. We want you to take time to heal without having the stress associated with bills that continue piling up. Contact us for more information on how we can assist you along the way.
Strict Liability in California Dog Park Attacks
When you choose to go to a dog park in Salinas, you go there expecting to get some fun exercise with your dog. You never expect that you could be involved in a life-altering accident with another person’s dog. Therefore, when a dog bite attack happens at a Salinas dog park, you may be suddenly concerned about your recovery time, how you will pay the bills, and many other stressful aspects associated with these horrific injuries. Determining liability is one of the first steps in moving forward with a claim against another party.
As it pertains to dog bite attacks, California follows what is known as “strict liability.” This means that the owner of a dog will almost always be held financially responsible for the damages that stem from a dog attack. Liability could be easier to show if the dog was known to bite others without justification or the owner was aware that their dog had a tendency to bite others in the past.
What to Do After a Salinas Dog Park Bite
The steps that you take following a Salinas dog park attack can not only protect your well-being but also protect the future of your claim. Here are some of the most vital steps that you can take after a bite that occurs in a dog park:
Medical Attention: Your health and well-being are top priority after you have experienced a dog bite attack. It is important that you seek immediate medical attention at an ER so that you can prevent infection.
Take Photos: If you are able to, it can be helpful to take photographs of the bite so that you can paint a better picture of your wounds when it comes time for settlement or court. These are some of the best pieces of evidence down the road.
Identification of Owner: Contacting the dog’s owner is crucial. If you were bit in a park and the owner is nowhere to be found, you should contact animal control so that they can hopefully trace the owner. If the owner of the dog is found, they should be made aware of the attack and you should also find out any contact information relating to the owner.
Obtain Insurance: Homeowner’s and insurance policies sometimes cover dog bites, which means that it can be helpful to have the insurance information of the dog owner.
Document Bite: During the healing process, you should take photographs of the injuries and how they are healing. You should also keep track of all medical documentation that you can use later on.
Damages Available in Dog Bite Claims
If you have received a dog bite at a dog park in Salinas, you have every right to move forward with a personal injury claim against an at-fault owner or any other party. Here are some of the damages that you may be able to recover in your claim:
- Medical expenses you have incurred due to the bite
- Medical expenses you may incur in the future due to related treatment
- Lost income and future loss of earnings
- Therapy costs related to the attack
- Pain and suffering
These damages are meant to help you get back on your feet after you have sustained a serious bite. This traumatic experience can affect your life in many ways but you should be able to move forward without having to worry about the many bills that keep piling up against you.
Contact a Salinas Dog Park Bite Lawyer
Our Salinas dog bite lawyers at Maison Law are fully prepared to help you through this difficult time in your life after you have been bitten unexpectedly at a dog park. We will aggressively fight to protect your rights and stand up against the insurance companies so that you can get back on your feet. An owner or another liable party should be responsible for the damages that you sustain due to your injuries and we will provide you with resources to be successful in your claim. Contact us today for a completely free case consultation.
