Stockton Dog Bite Attorneys

A dog attack can cause both physical and psychological scars that last a lifetime. If you or someone in your family was bitten in an unprovoked attack, you shouldn’t be responsible for paying the resultant medical bills and other damages. Our Stockton dog bite attorneys can assess the facts of your case in a free consultation and help you make informed decisions. We have a thorough understanding of the case law and statutes pertaining to dog bite lawsuits in California. We know your rights and will do everything in our power to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. For a free, no-obligation case review, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

What Questions Will I Be Asked During My Free Consultation?

The initial consultation serves several purposes. First and foremost, it is an opportunity for you to find out if you have grounds for a claim and to get answers to any questions you have about the relevant laws and proceedings. It is also a chance for our legal team to learn as much as we can about your case in order to devise a strategic plan of action. The questions you might be asked will depend on the facts of your case. Generally speaking, however, you should be prepared to answer the following:

• Where, when, and how did the attack occur? Your Stockton dog bite lawyer will want to know if you were on the property lawfully, whether the attack was provoked or unprovoked, and who might be liable for the attack.

• Did you gather insurance information from the defendant? If the defendant has insurance that covers dog bites, your attorney will need their insurance details to file the claim.

• Do you have any insurance policies that might pay out benefits? Your lawyer will want to know about any potential avenues for pursuing damages including from your own insurance policies.
• What evidence did you gather at the scene? Photos of injuries and the dog that bit you, surveillance footage of the attack, eyewitness contact information and statements, and the contact information of the dog’s owner could all help your lawyer during the investigation and settlement negotiations.
• What is your diagnosis? If you haven’t yet visited a doctor, your attorney will advise you to visit one asap. If you’ve already received a diagnosis, your lawyer will want to know about your injuries and prognosis to determine the kinds of damages that might be recoverable and how long it may take for you to reach maximum medical improvement.
• Have you started a personal injury journal? Real-life examples of how your symptoms and injuries are affecting your wellbeing can make your case more compelling. This is why it’s a good idea to keep a personal injury journal.
• Did you have a pre-existing condition? If you had a pre-existing condition, it’s possible that the defense will dispute causation. Your lawyer will want to know about any potential disputes so he or she can prepare to counter them.
• Are you active on social media? Your attorney can explain how to avoid posting something on social media that has the potential to harm your case.
• Has the insurance company contacted you? If you’ve given any statements to the insurer, your lawyer will want to know about them. Moving forward, your attorney can take over all correspondence with the insurer so you don’t inadvertently say something that harms your claim.

What Happens During the Discovery Phase?

Sometimes a defendant or their insurance company refuses to pay a fair settlement despite being presented with strong evidence. There are many reasons why this might happen. For example, the opposing party might refuse to cooperate just to find out if you’d be willing to file the lawsuit and proceed to litigation. Other times, there is a dispute regarding liability, causation, or damages that could not be resolved through correspondence between the attorneys on each side. When a settlement is not reached and a lawsuit is filed, the first step of litigation is the discovery phase. During discovery, your lawyer and the legal team of the defense will exchange documents and evidence and try to answer pertinent questions in an attempt to resolve the case. It is common for various witnesses to be deposed during discovery. For example, your lawyer might depose eyewitnesses to prove liability or medical experts to prove the kinds of injuries you’ve sustained, the types of treatment that were necessary (and will be necessary in the future), and the cost of care. Ideally, a fair settlement is reached by the conclusion of discovery. If not, the case will likely proceed to alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration or mediation.

Contact Us Today to Speak with a Stockton Dog Bite Lawyer

You can reach us 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-GO-HARRIS or sending us a message. We accept dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis, and we don’t charge anything upfront for our legal services.