Were you bitten by a dog in San Diego, CA? If so, you could have a legal right to financial compensation. An experienced San Diego dog bite lawyer can help you. Contact our office today or call (858) 551-2090 to schedule a free consultation. You can also visit our personal injury law firm in San Diego.
The experienced San Diego dog bite attorneys at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers have helped many in situations just like yours. We have over 80 years of combined experience and have recovered over $100 million in damages for our clients. Our legal team can take care of your legal issues while you focus on your recovery.
Why Choose Pines Salomon After a Dog Bite Attack in San Diego, California?
Dog bite claims often involve unique legal nuances and medical considerations. Due to the complexities that these cases often present, you need the assistance of an experienced San Diego dog bite lawyer.
At Pines Salomon, we have extensive experience in handling dog bites and other personal injury cases, such as car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and wrongful death. We have recovered significant compensation on behalf of our clients, and we’re prepared to fight for every dollar you are owed. Beyond our vast experience and substantial case results, we have been recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys.
When you begin working with one of our San Diego personal injury lawyers, you can rest assured that we will work diligently to build a strong case for you. Contact our law office in San Diego, California, to schedule a free consultation.
What Are California’s Dog Bite Laws?
In California, dog owners are generally held strictly liable for dog bites. This means that dog owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog biting someone, regardless of their negligence (or lack thereof) and whether the dog had bitten anyone in the past. Essentially, a dog owner is liable for a dog bite if their dog bites someone who was in a public place or lawfully on private property.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
Numerous factors can influence the value of your case, such as:
- The severity of your injuries
- Insurance policy limits
- Whether you can return to work in the same capacity
- Whether your case settles or goes to trial
- Your share of fault for the incident
Dog bite victims often face more than physical wounds. You may be having trouble concentrating on your work, caring for your children, or enjoying daily activities. Our attorneys will work closely with medical professionals, financial experts, and other specialists to calculate the value of your claim.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite Incident?
In a California dog bite case, you could recover economic damages and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim.
Economic damages cover your actual financial losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Costs to cover future medical treatment and therapy
- Lost wages due to your injuries
- Reduced future earning potential due to the incident
Non-economic damages include the “intangibles” suffered due to a dog bite, including:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Disfigurement,
- PTSD
Under special circumstances, victims can also recover punitive damages. These damages are awarded when a defendant’s conduct is reckless or malicious. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the at-fault party and deter them from similar conduct in the future.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer in a San Diego Dog Bite Case?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You would not be required to pay your lawyer a retainer fee upfront to get valuable legal help in a dog bite claim. Under this fee structure, your attorney will collect an agreed-upon percentage of the total financial award once your case is won.
If you do not win in your case, you will not owe any attorney’s fees. If you have any questions about our contingency fees, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Can I Still Recover Compensation Even if I Was Partially at Fault for a Dog Bite Incident in California?
California law allows you to recover financially in a personal injury claim even if you shared some fault for the incident. California follows a pure comparative negligence standard, meaning that you can recover even if you are more at fault than the other party. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Your lawyer will seek to maximize your share of the financial settlement in a dog bite claim. If you felt the incident was partly your fault, do not let that stop you from meeting with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
How Do Dog Bites Happen?
Dogs often bite people:
- When defending themselves or their territory
- When scared or startled
- When they feel threatened
- To protect something important, like their puppies, their food, or a toy
- When sick or injured
- When playing with other dogs or people.
Any dog can bite, regardless of breed or size. Dog bites can range from nips to full-blown vicious attacks. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to dog bites, sadly. Over 4.5 million dog bites happen across the country each year, many without warning. A dog’s history and behavior tend to predict attacks more than its breed. California is one of the top states in the nation for reported dog bites.
People can take steps to avoid dog bites, such as leaving dogs alone in certain situations or observing a dog’s body language. However, sometimes a person will be bitten no matter what they’ve done to avoid a bite.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause injuries ranging from harmless to severe and even fatal.
Injuries caused by dog bites may include:
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Torn or severed tendons
- Infection of the bite area (including serious infections such as rabies, tetanus, and MRSA)
- Skull fractures
- Neck and back injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal bleeding
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Wrongful death
Any of these dog bite injuries can have long-lasting and permanent consequences. You could suffer ongoing pain and suffering, mental distress, reduced quality of life, permanent disability, and other devastating losses after a dog bite. Your lawyer will pursue compensation for your full scope of damages as you try to recover physically and emotionally.
What Evidence Can I Use to Support My Case?
Evidence used by your attorney to prove your case can include:
- Medical bills
- Photos
- Video footage, such as surveillance camera footage or cell phone videos.
- Eyewitness statements
- Police reports
- Pay stubs and information related to your employment
- Medical reports, including reports from counselors related to your mental distress.
If you have experienced psychological effects from your accident, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression, a mental health provider can support your claim for damages. Recording your recovery process in a journal could serve as powerful evidence during settlement negotiations or in court. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery using all of the evidence at hand.
How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me?
An attorney can do the following for you:
- Fully investigate the incident and who was involved
- Collect evidence such as police reports, photos, surveillance camera footage, medical reports, and physical evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies to discuss a financial settlement
- Guide you through every step of your legal proceedings
- Take your case to a jury trial when necessary
Your lawyer will fight tirelessly to protect your legal rights after a dog bite.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite Incident in California?
The statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit in California is typically two years.
The time period to file generally starts from the date of the incident, although some exceptions could apply. Taking quick legal action is critical to preserving evidence, such as surveillance footage and eyewitness testimony, as these types of evidence can disappear over time.
A skilled San Diego dog bite lawyer will get your lawsuit ready to file before the deadline to give you the best chance of full financial recovery.
Contact a San Diego Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Dog bite injuries can happen quickly and cause severe injuries. The dedicated San Diego dog bite lawyers at Pines Salomon have helped many dog bite victims get back on their feet after a devastating injury in San Diego, CA.
We have over 80 years of experience and have recovered over $100 million in damages. We’re ready to begin fighting for maximum compensation for you, too.
Call our experienced legal team today to schedule your free consultation.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in San Diego, CA
Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers
We proudly serve San Diego County and its surrounding areas:
835 Fifth Ave #302,
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (858) 551-2090
