Rancho Cordova Dog Bite Lawyer

dog

Dog attacks and severe dog bites are common occurrences in California. Dog attacks are so common that California is considered the dog bite capital of the United States. Our state has the highest percentage of reported dog bite injuries, and insurance companies have paid close to $65 million on dog bite-related claims, the country's highest.

If you or a loved one was attacked and bitten by a dog and suffered a severe injury, take the time to speak to an experienced Rancho Cordova dog bite attorney about your legal options. Call our law office at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free no-obligation consultation.

Statistics on Dog Bite Injuries

Nationally, the statistics concerning dog attacks are not good. Approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by a dog each and every year. If that was not bad enough, roughly half of the bite victims are kids between 5 and 9. That means, each year, millions of young kids are attacked and seriously injured by a dog bite. Furthermore, one of every five dog attacks causes a severe bite injury requiring professional medical treatment.

Strict Liability Laws in Dog Bite Cases

In many cases, purchasing a dog is a significant investment, and they provide companionship and love to you and your family. However, you need to be aware that certain breeds of dogs have a track record of committing violence against humans. For example, Rottweilers and pit bulls are the breeds most frequently cited in deadly dog attacks. The 76-year-old man described above was attacked by two pit bull-type dogs.

However, it is essential to understand that any dog could potentially attack someone. If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog that does not have a history of violent or vicious behavior, it does not mean you do not have a legitimate legal claim. If you were bitten, you should discuss the viability of a claim with an experienced Rancho Cordova dog bite injury attorney.

California Law Adheres to Strict Liability for Owners of Dogs Who Bite People

In California, a dog owner is strictly liable for the harm caused by their dog, even if the owner had no idea that the dog could become violent. This standard is established in California Civil Code section 3342(a).

Dog Bite Injuries Can Be Serious and Debilitating

Many people suffer dog bite injuries that are pretty serious and often require weeks or months of rehabilitation. The types of injuries sustained as a result of dog bites include:

  • Facial and body lacerations, abrasions, and scarring
  • Broken bones 
  • Loss of a limb
  • Nerve damage
  • Emotional and psychological trauma

As you can see, these types of injuries are severe and will likely involve multiple visits to doctors, other medical specialists, and surgery. As a result, you may be looking at significant financial strain, especially if you have a high deductible health insurance plan due to the dog attack.

Pursuing Financial Restitution for Your Harms and Losses Through a Dog Bite Injury Claim

As we discussed, vicious dog attacks can be highly traumatic and result in extensive physical and psychological trauma to the victim and their family. You should pursue a personal injury claim to seek financial restitution for the economic and non-economic damages endured due to the attack. Recoverable damages include:

Medical bills include those incurred immediately after the attack and reasonably anticipated future medical expenses.

  • Lost wages due to time missed from work. You can file a claim for lost income if you are forced to take time off from your job due to your dog bite injuries.
  • Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma include other damages from the attack. For example, your mental anguish, stress, and inconvenience stemming from the attack. Some victims even develop PTSD and are deathly afraid of dogs.
Rancho Cordova Dog Bite FAQ

How long do I have to file an injury claim?

You should not delay speaking to a dog bite lawyer in Rancho Cordova and filing a legal claim against the dog owner. The California statute of limitations established that a dog bite victim only has two years to file a claim. If you fail to take action within two years, your lawsuit will likely be barred from going forward.


Can I afford to hire a lawyer for my dog bite injury case?

Most dog bite injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you, the client, are not responsible for paying a substantial hourly fee, and you do not have to pay a hefty retainer fee to obtain the services of a skilled dog bite injury attorney. Instead, your lawyer’s fee is contingent upon achieving a financial recovery for you. Once your lawyer reaches a settlement or a jury verdict is entered, they receive a percentage of the overall legal recovery. The rate depends on the facts of your case and whether a trial is required to obtain a financial recovery. The percentage amount will be agreed upon during the initial consultation.


Watch the video below to learn more about why you may need to hire an attorney for your dog bite claim.

Dog Bite Lawyers in Rancho Cordova, CA

An animal attack can be life-changing for all parties involved. As dog bite lawyers serving the Rancho Cordova area, we want to ensure you receive fair compensation from complex insurance companies. For free, friendly advice on your case, call our experienced Rancho Cordova dog bite attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

We have four decades of experience handling serious personal injuries and wrongful death cases.

See our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

Editor’s Note: updated [cha 6.28.22] sb bw [cs 998]

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