El Dorado Hills Dog Bite Lawyer

While many dogs are friendly and docile, some are quite vicious and potentially dangerous to the general public. An attack by a large dog against a child, jogger, bicyclist, etc., can be hazardous and even life-threatening.

Each and every day, approximately 1,000 people are bitten by a dog and require emergency medical treatment. Each year, nearly 10,000 people are hospitalized as a result of a dog bite injury. Dog bite injury claims are responsible for more than one-third of all liability claims filed through homeowner’s insurance policies in 2016. That translates to a cost of over $600 million. As you can see, dog bite attacks and injuries are quite common and can be deadly serious.

If you or a loved one was injured in a dog attack and have been mauled or bitten, you have a right under California law to seek a financial recovery for your harms and losses.

Among the most common types of injuries from dog bites include lacerations, abrasions, disfigurement, including scars, puncture wounds, broken bones, and even amputation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 1 out of every 5 dog bites becomes infected if that was not bad enough.

Victims of vicious animal attacks can also endure serious emotional and psychological trauma. For example, some victims may develop a phobia of dogs as a result of the attack. This is especially true when the victim is a child.

California has a strict standard in place for owners of dogs that attack and bite people. Many states follow what is known as the “one-bite rule.” This rule basically states that if a dog owner did not know and had no reason to know their dog had the propensity to bite someone, they could avoid civil liability; however, in California, dog owners are strictly liable for the injuries caused by their dogs. This means a dog owner is liable even if they had no idea their dog had the capacity to harm someone.

Vicious dog attacks can be excruciating and result in high medical bills. In fact, the average cost of a dog bite-related injury that necessitates a trip to the hospital is more than $18,000, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). That is about 50 percent more than the cost of the average injury-related hospital stay. This is why it makes sense to speak to an experienced dog bite attorney about your legal options. Filing a personal injury claim enables you to pursue financial recovery for the following harms and losses:

• Medical Expenses (Both Incurred Expenses and Future Costs): Trips to see the doctor, surgery, prescription medications, and long-term treatment can all potentially be recovered through a personal injury claim.
• Lost Income and Earning Capacity: Temporary and permanent disability after a dog bite injury can cause victims to miss a significant amount of time from work or even force them to find another profession since they are not physically able to return to their chosen profession.
• Pain and Suffering: These are the intangible harms and losses associated with the dog bite. They are the trauma and intense pain you endure from the injury.
• Emotional Distress: Vicious animal attacks can be extremely traumatic incidents, causing sleep loss, recurrent nightmares, and psychiatric trauma. Damages for these emotional injuries can be recovered through a dog bite injury claim.

Watch the video below for more on what types of damages can be claimed in a dog bite claim.

Under California’s statute of limitations, a dog bite victim only has two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim in court. This may sound like a lot of time, but it is not, especially if you are seriously injured and need to devote your time to rehabilitating from your injuries. This is why you should speak to an attorney sooner rather than later. Do not let the proverbial clock tick away.

I'm Ed Smith, an El Dorado Hills Dog Bite Lawyer. Suffering an injury from a dog bite can leave you both physically and mentally scarred. You may require weeks or months of rehab to recover from your physical injuries, and you may never fully recover from the psychological damage stemming from the incident. We are here to help you and your family. If you or a loved one have suffered any injuries related to a dog bite, please give our injury lawyers a call today for free and friendly advice concerning your situation. You can reach us at 916.921.6400 or 800.404.5400.

Because we operate on a contingency fee basis, we will only be paid if and when you receive payment through a verdict or settlement.

We have been working in and around the community of El Dorado Hills since 1982 on an individual's injury and wrongful death claims.

Proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

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