It’s commonly said that dogs are a man’s best friend but sometimes dogs attack. It can come as a complete shock when you’re attacked by a dog belonging to a stranger, neighbor, or family member. If you’ve been injured in a dog bite attack in Anaheim, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
We encourage you to contact the Anaheim personal injury lawyers at OnderLaw. You can give us a call or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We won’t require payment from you until we’ve gotten fair compensation for you.
There are many reasons dog bites occur. Some of the most common reasons include the nature of the dog and the environment where the bite took place.
Commonly, dog bites occur because the animal feels threatened in some way. Dogs are extremely territorial and protective animals, especially of their food, toys, families, homes, and puppies.
Another reason dogs may bite is because they’re not feeling well. They may have a stomach bug, or maybe something is stuck in their paw. In either case, a dog that bites you when they’re unwell is letting you know that they wish to be left alone.
Finally, dogs may bite because they’re playing. As puppies, dogs learn about and come into their own strength as they engage in play. If they’re riled up or encouraged to play, there could be an increased risk of suffering a bite or nip from a dog during play.
Depending on the size of the dog and the strength of their bite, several injuries are possible from a dog bite. Some of the most common injuries dog bite victims sustain include:
Just as there are traffic laws for owners of motor vehicles, there are laws for owners of dogs. California dog laws are intended to maintain peace and keep residents safe from potential dog attacks. There are several laws and regulations surrounding dogs in California. California dog owners are expected to adhere to these laws:
Additionally, it’s important to note that the state of California does not recognize the one bite law, as it is a strict liability state. This means that it doesn’t matter whether or not the dog has the propensity to bite. If the dog bites someone, the owner of the dog is liable for the incident. Again, it is the responsibility of the owner to keep their dog restrained by a leash or enclosure, depending on what the situation calls for.
The amount and types of compensation available to you following a dog bite accident depend on the severity of the injuries you’ve sustained and the duration of your recovery from them.
Often in personal injury cases, you would seek to recover damages from the insurance provider on behalf of the person who caused your injuries. In the state of California, dog owners are responsible for paying damages to those disabled, injured, or killed in accidents involving their dog. This can seem problematic if the dog who bit you was owned by a friend or family member. You may feel reluctant to pursue the compensation you need to cover your medical costs if it will come out of their pocket. You may worry that your relationship with them will be damaged as a result.
However, in many cases, the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance will cover the cost of damages in the event a dog bite occurs. You’ll need to check the homeowner’s policy to be sure dog bites are covered. Even then, there are some circumstances under which a dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance won’t cover the cost of damages, such as if the dog is a particular breed.
The types of compensation victims of dog bite accidents could pursue include:
Medical expenses. You’re likely to need medical attention. You can recover damages for the medical expenses you incur as a result of the accident, such as hospital and emergency room visits, transportation, x-rays, surgery, rehabilitation, wheelchairs, and more.
Lost wages. The injuries you develop as a result of the accident may force you to take time away from work to recover. When this happens, you may lose access to income for several weeks or months. Fortunately, you can pursue compensation for the wages you lose as a result of time taken away from work because of your injuries.
Loss of income. You may develop a disability or injuries so severe that you’re unable to return to work or perform at your fullest capacity following an accident. You may be entitled to recover damages for the income you lose as a result of the accident. This includes past, present, and future pain and suffering.
Pain and suffering. You’re likely to experience a great deal of anguish as a result of the accident. You may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering you’re forced to endure as a result of the accident. This includes past, present, and future pain and suffering.
Property damage. You may have had personal belongings damaged or destroyed in the accident. Fortunately, you can pursue money to cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Emotional distress. The accident may be so traumatic that you develop emotional disturbances or mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You can receive compensation for the emotional distress you endure because of the accident.
Loss of enjoyment. There may be activities that once brought you great joy that you’re no longer able to participate in as a result of the accident. You may be entitled to recover damages for your loss of enjoyment.
Loss of consortium. If you lost a loved one in a dog bite accident, you can receive compensation for the loss of their love and companionship, otherwise known as the loss of consortium.
Exemplary damages. Exemplary damages are awarded in cases where there’s evidence that your accident was caused by another person’s intent to harm, oppress, or defraud you. If this is the case for you and your case goes to court, you may be entitled to exemplary damages in addition to other forms of compensation as a result of your accident.
Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Claims
The statute of limitations on dog bite claims in the state of California is two years from the date of injury. Should you fail to file a claim within that time frame, your case may be dismissed altogether. One of the reasons it’s crucial to have a lawyer on your side is that an experienced lawyer will know to keep you ahead of the statute of limitations as they correspond to your case.
The team at OnderLaw is dedicated to preserving the rights of those injured, disabled, or killed in accidents in Anaheim and throughout the U.S. Additionally, we’re focused on helping our clients receive the full and fair amount of compensation owed to them as a result of their accident.
For nearly two decades, we’ve helped our clients recover damages for injuries and losses they’ve experienced in personal injury cases of many types. Over the years, we’ve recovered over $3 billion in damages for our clients, and we continue to be successful.
Our firm and many of our partners are recognized by several prestigious legal organizations throughout the nation. Some noteworthy groups we’re proud to hold membership with include Super Lawyers, Litigator Awards, and National Trial Lawyers.
Should you choose to select OnderLaw to represent you and your case, you can feel confident in your decision. Choosing OnderLaw means choosing the best legal representation in Anaheim and beyond. Don’t delay, be sure to call us today.
If you’ve been injured in a dog bite accident in Anaheim, don’t wait to contact the team at OnderLaw. Call us or contact us online for a free consultation. Again, we won’t require payment by you until we’ve secured money for you.
