Oakland Dog Bite Lawyers More than a third of American households have dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Because of this, dogs are a common sight throughout your life, even if you forgo pet ownership. It is pleasant to assume all of these dogs are friendly and safe, but the unfortunate truth is that some dogs are territorial, aggressive, and dangerous. If you or a loved one encounter a vicious animal and are attacked, we recommend calling an Oakland dog bite attorney at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers right away. We understand the difficulties that arise after a dog bite. You may be dealing with injuries or trying to care for a child who has been seriously injured. On top of the medical bills, you have to take time off work to recover. You also have to come to terms with the trauma of being attacked by the type of animal you may encounter on a daily basis. Because of the physical, emotional, and financial injuries associated with dog attacks, we believe it is important to let an Oakland dog bite lawyer pursue full and fair compensation on your behalf. Call Harris Personal Injury Lawyers at 1-800-GO-HARRIS. We are proud to have helped more than 5,000 clients win over $300 million in settlements and court rulings.

California has a Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

California’s dog bite law, found in California Civil Code Section 3342, says a dog owner is liable for the damages any person suffers by being bitten by the dog in a public place, or when the victim is lawfully in a private place, regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s viciousness. In other words, the owner does not have to know that their dog is potentially dangerous or has attacked anyone before. There is no “one bite rule” in California. Because a dog’s owner is automatically responsible for the harm their dog causes, this is known as strict liability. So long as you were not a trespasser on private land, you can work with a dog bite lawyer in Oakland to pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Who Else May Be Liable For Dog Bite Injuries?

The dog’s owner may not be the only person responsible for you or your child’s injuries. If the dog was in someone else’s care at the time of the attack, that party may be liable. For example, a kennel business, doggy daycare, pet sitter, dog walker, or veterinarian may be responsible for the dog at certain times. In these situations, they are responsible for taking reasonable measures to keep others safe from the dog and follow the law, including keeping the dog on a leash in public areas and keeping the dog confined at home or the facility. If someone who is responsible for the dog is careless in controlling the animal, and because of this negligence, the dog attacked you or your child, then you should talk with our Oakland dog bite attorneys about holding that person or business responsible.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Oakland, CA

After you or your relative are attacked by a dog, we recommend you take the following steps:

• Take photos of the dog that attacked you so it can be identified in the future.
• Take photos of your injuries.
• Obtain medical care as soon as possible.
• Try to find the dog’s owner.
• Report the incident to the local police or animal control agency.
• Call an Oakland dog bite lawyer to discuss your rights and options.

Shortly after a dog attack, you may be contacted by the dog owner’s insurance company. We recommend you do not answer any questions or provide a statement to an insurer before speaking with an attorney. The insurance company will look for reasons to deny your claim or limit your compensation. By having an attorney handle the insurance claim process, you are less at risk for saying something that could be used against you.

Dog Bite Compensation

Through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, our Oakland dog bite lawyers will fight for you to receive compensation for your:

• Medical Bills
• Lost Wages
• Other Injury Related Expenses
• Physical Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress
• Permanent Disfigurement
• Disability
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life
• Reduced Earning Capacity

We will work with you, your medical providers, and when appropriate, expert witnesses, to gather evidence of these damages. We may ask that you keep a diary regarding your pain and suffering so that we can pursue the maximum amount possible for this and your other invisible injuries.

Call Harris Personal Injury Lawyers Today

No one expects to be attacked by a dog when visiting a friend’s house, going for a walk, or playing with their children at the park. The sudden and unexpected nature of these incidents is partly what makes it so traumatic. While we cannot ease the physical or emotional burden of dog bite injuries, we can help you pursue a fair outcome to the situation. Call us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or use our online form to schedule a free initial consultation.