Maison Law represents San Luis Obispo dog bite victims. Victims who suffer bites at local dog parks can ask dog owners for financial help during recovery. Our dog bite lawyers can help victims secure the most in compensation available for their injuries. If you or a loved one have been bitten, please contact us 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 insurance companies fully responsible.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Suffering a Dog Bite at a Dog Park?
If you only suffer minor scratches after a dog bite, you may not need a lawyer’s help. But if your injuries are more serious, such as broken bones or a deep wound, a San Luis Obispo dog bite lawyer may be an important protection for your case.
Homeowner insurance providers for dog owners will try to limit the support you receive for your injury. They will try to say that something you did caused the attack. They may also question how badly you are hurt, simply to save money. Your attorney would fully investigate your dog bite incident and the dog owner. The evidence would be used to demand the maximum in injury compensation on your behalf.
Dog Bite Liability at San Luis Obispo Dog Parks
In California, dog owners are held responsible for dog bites in most situations. It’s true even when a bite occurs inside a dog park where pets are let off their leashes to run free. Dog owners are still liable and would be called upon to help victims with their medical bills and other hardships.
California is a “strict liability” dog bite state. The concept of strict liability means that pet owners are financially liable even if the dog hasn’t bitten anyone before. In other states, dog owners sometimes aren’t responsible for their dog’s aggression unless they have bitten someone before. That’s not the case in California.
Strict liability makes it easier to determine who is legally responsible for a bite wound, generally the pet owner. But liability could be in question in a couple of circumstances:
- The victim can’t have provoked the dog.
- Victims can’t have been trespassing on the dog owner’s property at the time.
Most dog parks wouldn’t be considered private property. San Luis Obispo dog parks operated by the city are public places.
Dog bites can cause confusion over who is to blame, but victims can count on the immediate help of Maison Law of San Luis Obispo. A skilled lawyer identifies every party that might share some fault in a dog attack and then demands the support victims need to pay for a full recovery.
Dog Bite Dangers at Local Dog Parks
Dogs and their owners go to San Luis Obispo dog parks for exercise and fun. It’s a place for dogs to go wild but pet owners are still held responsible for the actions of their dogs.
You may be watching your own dog play, when a dog comes up to you. You may try to pet the dog and suddenly suffer a vicious bite. The dog may be easily frightened. It may become aggressive when it mistakenly feels its owner is in danger.
These are situations that dog owners should be aware of and should protect others from. The dog isn’t to blame. When owners don’t restrain their dogs properly, and a bite occurs, victims have the right to demand help with emergency room fees and future medical bills.
These sorts of risky encounters happen every year at local dog parks. Here are some of the most popular local dog parks where you could suffer an injury:
- Laguna Dog Park
- El Chorro Dog Park
- Settle Trail Dog Park
What If I Get Knocked Down at a Dog Park?
Victims hurt in a dog attack that doesn’t involve a bite wound can’t prove their case using strict liability. However, victims who are injured after being knocked down by a dog at a dog park are still eligible to earn substantial compensation.
A dog can cause serious injuries, even if it’s just trying to be friendly and jumping on someone. A painful fall and injury can occur.
When a dog bite isn’t involved, other personal injury laws would apply. In these cases, the burden of proof for those injuries will be higher. In other words, you’d have to show stronger proof that your injuries were indeed caused by the dog’s actions and the owner’s negligence.
With these cases, it’s helpful to have a legal representative helping you prove the dog owner’s liability. Maison Law can collect evidence that shows the fault of a dog owner and assist you in maximizing your injury settlement check.
Could I Sue the City of San Luis Obispo After Getting Bit at a Dog Park?
In most instances, no. City-operated dog parks would be considered “use at your own risk” locations. San Luis Obispo is protected from lawsuits resulting from the reasonable risks that go along with visiting a dog park. The dog owner would usually be the only party to sue after a dog bite.
However, if a hazard contributed to your bite went beyond the normal risks you could expect at a dog park, a lawsuit may be possible. Your lawyer would help you collect evidence to prove that a park owner or operator was negligent in keeping visitors safe.
Some dog parks aren’t maintained very well. Gates can become broken, fences can have holes in them. Dogs may get out of dog parks and people outside might be exposed to a dog bite threat. If these risks weren’t addressed by the city in a reasonable time, you may have a case against San Luis Obispo if you are bitten.
Private dog parks, like those provided by apartment complexes, are under similar protective laws. However, in these cases, the dog owner can usually be held fully liable.
What Kind of Things Can Be Compensated After a Dog Bite at a Dog Park?
Victims should demand 100% reimbursement for current medical bills. They should also be talking with their doctors about the medical expenses they may encounter in the years ahead in the case of a long-term injury. These potential continuing bills must be covered in any dog bite settlement check.
A skilled lawyer will also help victims get the paychecks they’ve lost while hurt compensated. The physical pain and emotional trauma dog bite victims will have to endure should also earn additional support.
Contact a San Luis Obispo Dog Park Bite Lawyer
Consult with an attorney who understands the emotional trauma that comes along with the physical damage caused by a dog bite. Dog park bite victims need sufficient financial and emotional support in order to recover from such a traumatic experience.
When you contact Maison Law for a free consultation, you’ll talk to a real San Luis Obispo Dog Bite Lawyer and you’ll get our full attention. We will help you decide your best options for receiving the support you and your family will require to rebuild your lives.
If you decide we can help you get the most out of your dog bite case, you won’t need any money now. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the insurance settlement you receive.
