English 
Spanish Many people wonder if they need legal representation for dog attacks. They often believe they can file a legal claim with the owner’s insurance company and get paid for their medical care costs. This may be true. However, it’s often much more complex than that. There are also many other expenses and losses to consider. How do you know when you are getting a fair offer from the insurance company?
Consulting a dog bite attorney before accepting any offer is a good way to protect your right to a fair payout. We encourage all dog bite victims and their families to meet with a lawyer about their case before proceeding with an insurance claim. That way, they can understand their rights and options after suffering a serious injury.
When to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer to Handle Your Case
There are several reasons why you’d want to hire a dog bite attorney to manage your case.
You Have Serious Injuries
Working with a personal injury lawyer on any case allows you to focus fully on your treatment and healing. When a dog bite causes serious enough injuries to require medical care, it is easier to hire an attorney to handle your claim. The law firm will handle the case, and you can continue your treatment and recover from your injuries.
You Have Run Into a Problem With Your Case
Sometimes, people like to wait until they receive an offer or run into a problem with their claim before hiring a dog bite lawyer. This is OK, but working with an attorney from the start would better protect your rights and possibly allow for a stronger case against the dog’s owner.
You Don’t Know What Damages You Can Recover
Most people aren’t aware that they can recover damages beyond their current medical expenses and lost wages. This often means injured dog bite victims leave thousands or more on the table. An attorney can ensure you factor in and request compensation for all your damages, including future medical care, future lost wages and reduced earning capacity, attack-related damages, and pain and suffering.
The Dog Owner or Their Insurer Is Blaming You for the Attack
We’ve handled many dog bite cases since opening our doors. We often see dog owners claim that the victim was responsible for the bite, either by being on the property without permission or by provoking the dog. It can be difficult to argue against these allegations if you’ve never been in this situation before. A lawyer can fight back against any allegations of fault on your behalf.
It Has Been Several Weeks or Months Since the Attack
If you have not started your dog bite case within a few weeks of your injury, it is time to consider your options. An injured person generally has up to two years to sue for personal injuries or wrongful death under CCP § 335.1. If you fail to file your lawsuit before the deadline, known as the statute of limitations, expires, you risk recovering nothing.
You want to get started building your case as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.
However, it is often possible to avoid a lawsuit and settle these cases outside of court with help from a dog bite lawyer.
How Can a Dog Attack Attorney Help Me With My Case?
When an experienced dog attack lawyer handles a case, they manage all legal aspects. The victim should not have to worry about any of it. They will receive regular case updates and have phone numbers and email addresses to contact their lawyer if they have questions.
Our injury lawyers file dog bite claims and dog attack lawsuits to recover fair compensation for Californians hurt in these incidents. We know the necessary evidence to show what happened and eliminate any allegations that the victim provoked the canine before the bite.
We take these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and you only pay us if we win. It ensures anyone can afford dog bite representation, regardless of their outstanding medical bills or other financial losses.
What Compensation Is Available for Dog Bite Injuries?
Dog bite attacks can cause serious or even life-altering, catastrophic injuries. While many are relatively minor and heal fully in a few weeks, complications such as infection are common. These injuries often end up being much more serious than they first appear.
When an attorney identifies the recoverable damages in a dog bite case, they gather documentation to show the expenses and losses incurred and any future costs. This determines a fair settlement range. Common examples of recoverable damages include medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, such as physical pain and emotional trauma.
What California Dog Bite Laws Could Affect My Case?
When it comes to liability in a dog bite case, each state sets its own laws. In California, CIV § 3342 is the statute that dictates who is liable for a dog bite injury. Under this law:
- The dog owner is liable for injuries and related damages.
- The attack could occur in a public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property.
- Liability applies, even if there is no known history of aggressive behavior.
County leash and licensing laws also play a role. For example, LA County requires annual licenses for any dog over four months of age. The LA County Department of Animal Care & Control issues these licenses. There are also strict leash laws that require dogs to be contained at all times.
When a dog owner violates leash or licensing rules, this could support an injured person’s case against them.
Discuss Your Dog Bite Attack Injuries With a Member of Our Team for Free
KJT Law Group provides free consultations for dog bite victims in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California. We can assess your options, and our dog bite attack lawyers can navigate the legal process for you. We have recovered over $100 million for injured people since our founding.
Contact us for your free case review. We have someone available to talk to you about your injuries and legal options today. We provide legal representation on a contingency basis.
