Murrieta Dog Bite Attorneys

Most dogs and other domesticated animals we encounter are friendly – or at the least, they don’t pose any immediate danger. However, this isn’t always true: it’s the unfortunate reality that animals are animals and as such, man’s best friend isn’t always so friendly after all. Fort If you’ve been attacked or bitten by a dog or other domesticated animal, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, our Murrieta dog bite lawyers have collective decades of experience representing victims of dog bites and are ready to speak with you about your case. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.

What Should I Do If I’ve Been Attacked by A Dog?

It is impossible to know the severity and extent of your injuries until you consult a professional who can provide an official diagnosis and treatment plan. As such, the first step you should take in any injury case is to see a doctor. However, once you’ve attended to your injuries, you may wonder whether you can recover compensation for your medical bills. In virtually all personal injury cases, injured parties need to prove that someone was at fault for their injuries in order to have a chance at recovering damages. However, dog bite cases are different. In California, pet owners are “strictly liable” for injuries that their animals cause to other people. The California Civil Code states that: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” In other words, you do not need to prove that the dog’s owner acted negligently or was somehow at fault for your injuries. Rather, all you need to prove is that you were injured and that the attack occurred when you were either present on public property or lawfully on private property.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover for A Dog Bite Injury?

What you stand to recover in a dog bite case depends on the specific circumstances, like the severity of your injuries. However, in most personal injury cases, there are a few types of damages that you can recover: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are meant to compensate you for losses you’ve sustained due to your injuries and include items like past and future medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages include intangible losses like pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, or loss of consortium. These are generally harder to quantify.

Representation You Can Count On

At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we have recovered more than $300 million for our clients, a large portion of which has been in cases involving aggressive and dangerous dogs and other domesticated animals. During our complimentary case review, we will provide you with an overview of the next steps to take in pursuing the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. With our history of success in dog bite cases, our team can guide you throughout each stage of your case. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-GO-Harris or by sending us a message online.