Maison Law represents the victims of Turlock dog bite incidents. Our personal injury lawyers aggressively seek compensation for our clients from dog owners. Please contact us after a frightening encounter and injury resulting from a dog attack. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation for all local dog bite victims. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out what your injury may be worth and how to hold a dog owner’s insurance company fully responsible for recovery costs.
When Do I Need a Dog Bite Lawyer?
If your dog bite wound leaves only superficial scratches or bruising, you probably won’t need a lawyer’s help with your case. But if your injuries are more serious, such as dislocated fingers or a deep puncture wound, you should speak with a lawyer.
When the cost of care starts to rise, homeowners insurance providers become reluctant to accept blame for a dog owner’s negligence. They’ll have their adjusters look for ways to blame victims for a dog attack or find doctors who will say that bite wounds aren’t that serious. Your lawyer fully investigates your case and the dog owner, and collects all evidence available to fight back against unfair insurance companies. Your lawyer holds insurers fully accountable and then demands the maximum in compensation available for you and your family.
Who Is Responsible for Dog Bite Injuries In Turlock?
There is no doubt about it, Turlock residents love their dogs. Turlock has a couple of beautiful dog parks: Quaile Rand Norton and Swanson-Centennial, as well as several dog-friendly establishments. While dogs are great companions, it is imperative that they are restrained while in public and do not threaten community members.
At Maison Law, we love dogs too, but we also know how devastating a dog bite can be. Whether you have been bitten or your child was attacked, you are likely dealing with visible scars, rising medical bills, trips to the doctor, all while getting less income from missed time from work. Those costs and damages should never be the victim’s financial responsibilities.
In California, when a dog bites someone, the owner is responsible for any injuries even if the dog hadn’t shown any aggressive tendencies nor bitten anyone before. Unlike some states where the owner isn’t liable unless the dog has shown aggressiveness before or bitten someone, a California dog owner is liable for all injuries that come from a dog attack.
However, before this law comes into play, there are a couple of circumstances that have to be present:
- The victim must have been in a public place or invited to a private place when bitten, and
- The victim must not have provoked the dog into the attack.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
When someone is bitten by a dog, they can experience ongoing pain and fear. Under California law, a dog bite victim can recover compensation for both on top of any physical injuries directly caused by the attack. Some of the most common injuries that we’ve seen come from a dog attack are:
- Puncture wounds.
- Broken bones.
- Eye injuries.
- Head and Neck Injuries.
- Face Injuries.
- Disfigurement
- Permanent Disability
- Emotional Scars
While some wounds are easy to assess, underlying emotional damage needs to be documented and presented in a way that is consistent with the legal statutes. This is one reason that having an experienced lawyer can help you expedite the process and increase the likelihood of winning your case.
Compensation Available to Turlock Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite victims will often need medical support for longer because dog bite wounds can take a long time to heal. Infections can keep wounds from closing. Then restorative surgery could be necessary to attempt to help the victim feel comfortable about showing a wound in public. This care will be very expensive and could be needed for years to come.
Your lawyer makes sure you have what you need to make a full recovery, no matter how long that takes. Your lawyer includes every hardship you’ve dealt with on an injury claim so that they aren’t left out of a dog bite settlement check.
Through a Turlock Dog Bite Attorney’s skilled negotiation, these and other factors can earn substantial compensation for a dog bite victim:
- All medical bills and those expected in the months to come.
- Compensation for permanent disfigurement or disability caused by a dog bite wound.
- Compensation for physical pain. The pain of a bite and a challenging recovery in physical therapy. Chronic pain and arthritis are also a possibility that should earn support.
- Compensation for emotional pain. This includes anxiety and depression due to a loss of enjoyment of life. This is common for patients who can’t work, enjoy hobbies, or participate in family activities. Victims may also need help getting over the trauma of a dog attack.
- Compensation for lost earnings while the victim is unable to return to work.
- Compensation for property damage.
- Additional support for a child who becomes a dog bite victim. A bite injury to children can affect their development as they grow. Medical experts will need to determine the amount of support they’ll need to cover any complications their injuries could cause in the future.
- Wrongful Death Benefits. Families who have lost a loved one to a dog attack can ask for financial support from a dog owner. This civil claim would seek money to pay for a funeral and any leftover medical bills. The income the deceased can no longer provide a spouse or children in the future should earn additional settlement funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a dog bite?
Contact 911 if you are injured. Request a police response if the dog continues to be a threat or the owner can’t be located. Get photos. Get contact information from the dog owner and any witnesses.
How long do I have to file a dog bite injury claim?
California extends a two-year statute of limitations on filing a personal injury claim. If you wait longer than two years from the date of your bite incident, your case will likely be thrown out.
What if I can’t afford to pay a Turlock dog bite lawyer?
You don’t have to worry about having the money to hire a skilled Turlock attorney. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then, our fee comes out of the settlement money you are awarded.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer.
After any dog bite injury in Stanislaus County, contact the Turlock dog bite lawyers at Maison Law for a free consultation and case evaluation. We take a hands-on approach to every case. We believe that clients should work directly with their lawyers, and get honest advice and the personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
Contact Maison Law today by using our contact form to find out what your case is worth and how to hold a dog owner fully responsible.
