Tustin Dog Bite Attorneys

According to dogsbite.org, each day in the United States, about 1,000 people require emergency treatment for dog bites. And annually, more than 14,000 are hospitalized for bite wounds. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we help dog bite victims recover compensation for their injuries. If you’ve been bitten – or you know someone who has – reach out to us online or give us a call at 1-800-GO-Harris.

I’ve Been Bitten. What Next?

The first – and most important – step you should take in any injury case is to see a doctor to treat your injuries. Once you’ve done so, you may wonder whether you can recover compensation for your medical bills. In most personal injury cases, injured parties need to prove that someone was at fault to recover damages. However, dog bite cases are different. In California, dog owners are “strictly liable” for injuries that their animals cause. The California statute, Civil Code Section 3342, 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.” Simply stated, this means that you do not need to prove that the dog’s owner acted negligently or was somehow at fault. All you need to prove is that you were injured and that the attack occurred when you were 1) on public property, or 2) lawfully on private property.

Compensation for Dog Bites

What you stand to recover depends on the specifics of your case, like the severity of your injuries. Generally, though, there are a few types of damages that you can recover. 

• Economic damages (those that are meant to compensate you for losses you’ve sustained due to your injuries), and  
• Non-economic damages (compensation for intangible losses, like pain and suffering and reduced quality of life).

Economic damages may include items like past and future medical expenses and lost wages. On the other hand, non-economic damages include items that are harder to quantify, like emotional distress and diminished quality of life.

If You’ve Been Injured, Act Fast

In California, a two-year statute of limitations applies to most personal injury cases. This means that you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. If you think you might want to pursue damages in the future, don’t delay: Even the process of filing an insurance claim can take time, so it’s vital to act quickly to avoid running out of time.  At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we have recovered more than $300 million for our clients, a large portion of which has been in dog bite cases, and we can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. During our free consultation, we will evaluate your case and 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 and in-depth knowledge of relevant law, our team can guide you throughout each stage of your case. Schedule a low-risk consultation today by calling 1-800-GO-Harris or by sending us a message online.