Costa Mesa Dog Bite Attorneys

Millions of dog bites occur each year in the United States. While many of these attacks result in only minor injuries, some cause permanent scarring, serious infection, or finger amputation. If you or someone in your family was hurt in such an attack, our dog bite attorneys in Costa Mesa can review your case to determine if you may be entitled to damages. There are all sorts of defenses the dog owner or the insurance company might use to challenge your claim. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we can make sure you are treated fairly. Our lawyers know what it takes to win substantial settlements in these cases, and we’re not afraid to file a lawsuit if the opposing party refuses to cooperate. For a free consultation, call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Our Dog Bite Lawyers Accept Cases on a Contingency Fee Basis

There are many different types of fee structures that attorneys use. Some lawyers handle cases for a flat, upfront rate. Others bill by the hour. While there are certain advantages to these fee structures, they are rarely the best option in personal injury cases. Our dog bite lawyers in Costa Mesa handle personal injury and wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t have to pay anything upfront to hire us for representation. Also, if we don’t win your case through a settlement or trial verdict, you won’t have to pay any attorneys’ fees. And since we offer free consultations, you have nothing to lose by speaking to a member of our team. The contingency fee system is typically the best option for personal injury claimants because they don’t have to risk a considerable amount of money upfront. Also, the attorney will have a stake in the outcome of your case, so they will have incentive to devote extra time and effort if an unexpected dispute arises. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we always prepare for settlement negotiations as if we are going to trial. We invest the time needed to compile all available evidence of liability, causation, and damages so we are ready for all eventualities. If the opposing party is unwilling to agree to a fair settlement, we won’t hesitate to proceed to litigation.

Important Terms to Know About Dog Bite Claims

One of the benefits of hiring a dog bite attorney is you won’t have to worry about navigating complex legal terms and procedures on your own. It takes many years of study and experience to develop a mastered understanding of tort law. In fact, there are plenty of personal injury attorneys out there who don’t have the knowledge or experience to provide effective representation in dog bite cases. Our lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. We know the case law and statutes pertaining to dog bite lawsuits inside and out. If you ever have questions about your case, your attorney will be just a phone call away. While our legal team will take over the logistics of your claim, you may still find it helpful to become familiar with certain terms you might encounter over the course of the proceedings. The more you know about the claims process, the less stressful the upcoming weeks and months will likely be. Below are a few terms to know about dog bite claims:

• Strict Liability: Dog owners in California can often be held strictly liable when their pets bite someone. That means you may not need to prove the dog owner was negligent in order to hold them liable for your healthcare costs and other damages arising from the attack.
• Maximum Medical Improvement: Some injuries can take several months to heal. Once a patient’s condition is no longer expected to improve any further, that patient is considered to have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). In personal injury cases, it is common for the attorney of the plaintiff to advise waiting until MMI has been reached before beginning settlement negotiations. This will ensure the damages calculations will be as accurate as possible, which can prevent the claimant from accepting a low settlement.
• Compensatory Damages: These are the economic and non-economic damages incurred as a result of a tort. After a dog bite, compensatory damages that may be recoverable include medical costs, lost income, other objectively verifiable expenses arising from the bite, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment in life.

Speak with a Dog Bite Lawyer in Costa Mesa Today

At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer the highest-caliber representation to dog bite victims in Costa Mesa and surrounding communities. Call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message to set up a free consultation. We will come to you if you are unable to come to us.