Being attacked by a dog is not one of the most common of injuries, but these attacks still happen a lot, especially with young children and certain breeds of dog. Overall, there are about 4.7 million dog bites every year, with nearly 800,000 of those bites requiring medical care. Approximately 1,000 individuals require emergency treatment for a dog bite injury every single day in the United States. Dog bite accidents tend to occur when a victim is visiting or living temporarily with the dog’s owner.
Dog bites can be costly. Every year, insurance companies pay more than $1 billion in claims for dog bite accidents. This is most likely due to the fact that dog bites usually occur to a person’s extremities, such as arms, legs, hands, and feet. Additionally, a dog bite victim may require other treatment, such as psychological treatment, to help them cope with any post-traumatic stress or phobias that have formed as a result of the attack.
How California Law Addresses Dog Bite Attacks
Although a dog bite is considered part of personal injury law, it is addressed differently under the California Civil Code.
California Civil Code Section 3342(a) provides that a dog owner is strictly liable for damages created by their dog in an attack. This means that even if the dog was not vicious in the past or if the owner never had knowledge that the dog had a propensity towards being vicious or towards biting, the owner is on the hook for any and all damages that occur.
The Types of Damages a Dog Bite Victim Can Claim under California Law
Because of the strict liability nature of California’s dog bite statute, victims can claim a variety of damages, such as:
- • Medical costs, which include treatment of the wounds as well as the possibility of needing to see a plastic surgeon if the dog bite proves to cause permanent scarring or disfiguration
- • Wage loss, if the injuries suffered prevent the victim from working
- • Pain and suffering
Medical costs also extend to any psychological counseling a dog bite victim may need after an attack.
Why a Dog Bite Victim Should Secure an Experienced Dog Bite Attorney
Dog bites do fall under the umbrella of personal injury law; however, the circumstances surrounding a dog bite can be unique, calling for a variety of different needs if a lawsuit against the dog’s owner is pursued. Because dogs can inflict all types of damage, both physical and mental, different experts may be needed in order to prove the extent of injury the victim has suffered.
The experienced dog bite lawyers at Redkey Gordon are specially qualified to address a dog bite claim. Not only does the firm have access to top-notch experts who can assist in proving a dog bite attack victim’s claim, but the firm has access to qualified, experienced medical professionals who can assist a victim in recovering from their injuries.
At Redkey Gordon, we do not just focus on recovering monetary compensation for a victim’s damages after sustaining a dog bite due to a dog attack. We are invested fully in our clients’ physical, mental, and financial well-being, and we want our clients to recover as fully as possible. We will work tirelessly to obtain the monetary compensation deserved, as well as ensure that our clients receive the best possible medical care so they may recover as much as possible from their attack.
If you, or a loved one, have suffered a dog bite attack in California, we invite you to call our Sutter Creek Personal injury attorneys office today for an initial consultation on your case. Our office of experienced legal professionals can be reached at (209) 267-1685.