Most people who own dogs consider their pets as part of the family. As the saying goes, a dog is a man's best friend. So, when a dog bite incident happens, it is not out of the ordinary for emotions to flare up and natural instincts to protect the family pet to kick in. Unfortunately, regardless of how friendly and lovable a dog has always been, any dog can become aggressive and attack in the blink of an eye, leaving the victim with serious injuries, including disfigurement, permanent scarring, and psychological trauma; or, in some cases, the dog bite may even result in death.

While most dog owners believe their dog would not hurt a soul, numerous people are attacked by dogs each year. Many of those victims are children. And, quite often, dogs attack for no reason at all.

Unprovoked dog attacks may occur because of the dog's natural aggressive predisposition, or it may be due to an illness or condition the dog has, such as rabies.

I have met dogs that were one of the breeds that are considered dangerous, and they were some of the sweetest, most well-trained, and friendly pets I have ever met. I have also heard plenty of stories over the years about dogs on the most dangerous breed list that were vicious and aggressive and no amount of training could calm them down. I have also seen dogs that landed in the most dangerous dog breeds go from being the sweetest, most lovable dogs to suddenly attacking.

Here are the breeds that are considered dangerous:

• Pit Bull
• Rottweiler
• German Shepherds
• Bull Mastiffs

If you, your child, or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, you may be able to recover the maximum amount of liability under California dog bite law from the owner of the dog. I have 33 years of experience helping Stockton dog bite victims recover the maximum amount of compensation for their injuries. I understand the intricacies of preparing for, proving, and arguing California dog bite cases.

Choosing a lawyer is often a daunting experience for dog bite victims. You are trying to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life, but you also have to ensure your medical bills get paid. When selecting an attorney to pursue your Stockton dog bite case, it is vital that you choose a lawyer who has experience and past success with representing Stockton dog bite victims, as well as someone who you feel is a good match for your needs.

I encourage you to continue reading about me and my staff on our website to find out if we are the right attorneys for you. You can also speak with me directly about your case. Please call me at (209) 227-1931 locally.

Most of us will envision bite mark wounds when we think about dog bite injuries. We have to remember that many dogs, especially the larger dogs, and breeds that are more well-known for aggressive behavior, are incredibly muscular and have sharp teeth that grow naturally to tear into and rip meat apart. Combine those physical characteristics with aggressive behavior, and one dog can inflict an immense amount of serious physical damage to a person in just moments.

Common dog bite injuries, besides bite wounds, that my past clients have had include:

• Disfigurement
• Internal bleeding
• Damage to ligaments and tendons
• Spinal cord and nerve injuries
• Torn muscles
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones

California follows strict liability laws regarding dog bites that occur in Stockton. Fortunately, strict liability means that victims of dog bite injuries in Stockton are provided a maximum amount of financial protection. According to the California dog bite statute, if a dog causes injury to an individual, the owner of the dog is held 100 percent responsible for the injuries and any damages come along with the injuries. The owner does not have to have any awareness of past aggressive behavior of the dog. In fact, absolutely no prior knowledge, awareness, or intent is required to hold the owner of the dog liable.

California holds dog owners accountable for the behavior and actions of their pets. Anyone who wants to take on the responsibility of owning a pet is also obligated to raise, train, and supervise their domesticated animal. If their animal, for whatever reason, displays behavior that is aggressive, the dog owner is responsible for properly correcting the behavior and restraining the animal to ensure that a dog bite or attack incident does not occur.

The video below proves some dog bite prevention safety tips for children and adults.

I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton dog bite attorney, and founder of the most comprehensive, information-packed personal injury and accident website on the internet – www.autoaccident.com. If you, your child, or someone else you love was injured and the injuries were due to the negligence of another party, please call me at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. I offer free and friendly advice to people who call.

If you are still hesitant to call, I understand. It is intimidating to pick up the phone and call an attorney, especially if it is the first time you have ever needed one. You may not be sure what you should and should not say. But, do not feel intimidated. I talk to victims of injuries all of the time. I am not here to judge you or make assumptions about your case. I am here to help you.

Before you call me, you can spend a little time reading what my past clients have said about me and my staff. Click on our reviews on Yelp, Avvo, and Google.

I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a fellowship of injury lawyers with verdicts and/or settlements in excess of $1 million.

To check out our past settlements and verdicts, click here.

Image by Pitsch from Pixabay 

Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 5.23.19]