Stockton residents love their pets and most dog owners do a good job of protecting people and dogs from the misunderstandings that lead to attacks. Sadly, there are dog bite victims in the emergency room every year.
Many of these frightening encounters could be avoided, but that doesn’t count for much when someone is suffering from a bite wound. The focus should be on getting the victim medical assistance. Then in the weeks to come, dog owners need to be providing financial support so the victim can return to normal life as soon as possible.
Contact a Stockton Lawyer for a Free Dog Bite Case Consultation
Dog bite victims may be nursing a wound after a painful bite and be unsure about where to turn for recovery support. Luckily, in California, homeowner’s insurance and renter’s insurance can be called upon to provide victims with the help they need in recovery.
Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t make it easy for dog bite victims to earn compensation after a personal injury. You should go into an insurance claim negotiation well-informed of the benefits available to you.
The best way to arm yourself with knowledge is to schedule a free consultation with a Dog Bite Personal Injury Lawyer serving Stockton. We offer a free case evaluation to victims and their families. It’s a chance to find out what your injury is worth and how to avoid some of the tactics insurance providers use to limit the care you receive.
Who Should You Sue After a Dog Bite Injury?
California doesn’t protect dog owners who have let their pets get too close to people while on a leash or while running free. Dog owners are held legally liable for any dog bite that occurs, even if it’s the first incident of a bite or aggression in the dog’s history.
Some states don’t hold the dog’s owner responsible after a first-time incident, but California holds the owner liable from the very first bite. This legal concept is called “strict liability.” The dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or a renter’s policy will sometimes pay out compensation to victims.
In other cases, it’s the dog owner’s personal savings that will be called upon. There are also situations where a property owner or property manager could be held accountable. Your personal injury lawyer would sort out every party who might contribute to your financial recovery.
A few things must be proven true to hold a dog’s owner liable:
- A bite must be proven to have occurred, even if it didn’t break the skin but still caused damage.
- The victim must have been on public property or on private land where they were legally permitted to be.
- Victims can’t have trespassed.
- Victims can’t have provoked the dog.
Dog Bite Liability at Dog Parks
Stockton has several dog parks where dog bite cases may unfortunately arise. Barkleyville Park and P.E. Weston Park are two such parks that welcome dogs and owners.
Dog owners can still be held accountable within the spaces of these parks when people are bitten. Dog owners are responsible for protecting others from harm before they enter the fenced-in area and while the dog is playing.
The real question is if the city behind these dog parks or a rental management company behind an apartment dog park can be held liable. Usually, these parks are marked as “use at your own risk” and you’d be prevented from suing any property owners.
It is possible that in extreme cases of negligence, the city or an apartment management firm might face liability over your accident. A Stockton personal injury lawyer would be the best source for finding out if your case would allow you to seek additional compensation.
Compensation Available To Stockton Dog Bite Victims
It’s impossible to say how much your dog bite case may earn you. Each wound and case of negligence is very different. Personal injury lawyers would need to hear about what happened and conduct an investigation before being able to estimate how much you may receive.
Dog bite wounds can be more serious than some other common accident injuries. The teeth often puncture skin, muscle, other tissue and can also cause nerve damage. Their infectious nature can leave wounds taking longer to heal and they are also prone to leave scars.
To secure the best chance for a full recovery, these are a few of the factors that victims must seek compensation for:
- Full coverage of hospital bills and emergency response fees.
- Physical therapy costs to learn to regain use of affected limbs.
- The costs of living a life with a permanent disability or long-term disfigurement.
- Emotional trauma the victim has suffered through, including PTSD symptoms and anxiety.
- Physical pain the victim has endured.
- Loss of enjoyment of life and the inability to participate in family activities.
- Travel costs for doctor and specialist visits.
- Forfeited paychecks while the victim has missed time at work.
- Damage or destruction of property.
Statute of Limitations and Alerting a Dog Bite Lawyer
California extends the statute of limitations on a dog bite case to two years from the date of the accident. Victims have 24 months to file a claim or they’ll have their case thrown out.
Early is always better when considering filing a claim. If you wait it will make it harder for your personal injury lawyer to investigate your case, find evidence, and secure documents. Your lawyer may also struggle with tracking down witnesses after a year or more has passed.
When you aren’t sure if you have a case against a dog owner, always take advantage of a free consultation with a real lawyer from Maison Law. You can get a quick assessment of your chances and what you should be expecting as a victim.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Stockton Victims
After you or a loved one has suffered a serious dog bite, contact a Stockton Personal Injury Lawyer to discuss your case, free of charge.
Don’t assume any bite is a minor wound. Get it thoroughly checked out, because even small punctures can end up doing substantial nerve and tendon damage. This type of injury can take months to fully heal and leave you with thousands of dollars in medical bills. It’s possible more than one insurance claim may need to be filed on your behalf.
Your personal injury lawyer from Maison Law will thoroughly investigate what happened and build a strong case for you. The goal is to leave insurance companies no room to deny your claim and get away with providing you nothing after a dog attack.
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