Chino Hills Lawyers Representing Los Angeles Area Dog Bite Victims
About 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those, nearly 800,000 require medical care. Most dog bite victims are children.
If a dog bit and injured you or a member of your family, you have a legal right to collect financial compensation for the damages you have suffered. Attorney Eric Paris has more than 20 years of experience helping dog bite victims. We seek full compensation for damages, including pain and suffering, lost wages or income, current and future medical bills, property damage caused by the attack, and more.
Dog attacks can cause serious injuries and other conditions, including:
- Puncture wounds
- Infection, including rabies infection
- Scarring
- Broken bones
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Traumatic brain injury from being knocked down
- Psychological conditions, including PTSD
Injuries to the face, arms, hands, and legs are common. Serious dog bites can require multiple surgeries, including plastic surgery, to repair the damage.
Dog Owners Are Legally Responsible for Damages
The state of California stands behind dog bite victims. California holds dog owners strictly liable for damages their dogs cause. In a dog bite injury claim, we need to prove only that:
- The defendant owned the dog
- The dog bit and injured you
- You were in a public place or lawfully on private property when the dog bite occurred
It does not matter whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous, whether the dog had bitten anyone previously, or if the dog that bit you was of a dangerous breed. Dog owners and/or those who were caring for the dog at the time of the attack are responsible for damages.
Exceptions to Strict Liability for Dog Owners
There are some exceptions to the strict liability of pet owners in California dog bite law. If the dog bite victim was trespassing or in the act of committing a crime at the time the dog attacked, the pet owner may not be held responsible for damages. If the dog was provoked into the attack, the owner may not be liable.
It is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Time limits apply for filing a dog bite injury claim.
From our office in Chino Hills, we represent clients injured in dog bite accidents throughout Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, Riverside County and throughout the rest of California.
To arrange a free initial consultation and case evaluation, please call The Paris Firm at (909) 469-5127 or contact us online to discuss your case. You will pay no attorney fees unless we win money for you for your dog attack case. Our law firm also represents clients who were injured in attacks by other animals, from cats to horses to exotic pets.
Millions of people are bitten by dogs every year. In 2013, a reported 23 people died from dog bites. Over half were children, and many of these events occurred on the family’s property. These statistics are difficult to accept.
Dog bites are one of the most common public health problems throughout the country. Due to a combination of owner neglect, poor training, and dangerous situations, the data on dog bites are not reassuring. Throughout the year, as the weather becomes nicer and dog owners leave their companions outside more often, the number of dog bites spikes. June is considered to be one of the most dangerous months with the highest incidence of dog bites.
So, what do you need to know to protect your children and ensure that the summer goes smoothly? If you have a dog, how can you be a responsible dog owner?
