Glendale Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog Bite Lawyer in Glendale, CA

Dogs are popular pets in Glendale and the surrounding areas of California, but it is possible for any dog to bite unexpectedly and cause tremendous harm. If you or a family member has been injured by a dog, you have grounds for legal recourse under California’s strict liability law. An experienced Glendale dog bite lawyer can help you build and file your claim, securing compensation for your damages.

Representing Dog-Bite Victims in Glendale, CA

Duque & Price is a team of attorneys with years of professional experience representing injured clients in Glendale and the surrounding communities of California. We know how traumatic and damaging a dog attack can be. You are likely to have many pressing legal questions in the aftermath of such an incident. Whether you are seeking compensation on your own behalf or on behalf of a loved one, an animal attack attorney from our firm can represent you.

About 1,000 people require emergency room treatment every day for dog-bite injuries in the United States. Each year, nearly 13,000 people are hospitalized for dog attack injuries. After you are hurt by a dog, it’s important to know the first steps to take: 

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• If possible, document what you can from the scene of the incident.
• Once the victim has received medical care, contact a Glendale dog-bite lawyer.
• Your attorney can gather the evidence you need to support your case and identify the statutes that apply.

Duque & Price can help you build your case against the dog’s owner. Under California Civil Code §3342, dog owners are strictly liable for any damages their pets cause to others, regardless of whether the dog has any history of previous attacks.

As long as the victim did not provoke the attack and they were legally present wherever it happened, strict liability applies, and the dog owner is liable for the harm their pet caused. However, if the victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s private property or if they provoked the attack in some way, then strict liability would not apply.

Our team can listen to your story and help you understand your legal options. Under California’s strict liability rule for dog attacks, a dog owner is fully responsible for all the damages their pet inflicts on others, regardless of whether the dog has ever injured anyone in the past. The victim only needs to prove that they were lawfully present at the location where the attack occurred and that they did not provoke the dog.

Recovering Compensation for a Dog-Bite in Glendale

Your Glendale dog-bite lawyer can assess the full scope of the damages you can seek from a dog owner after their dog has bitten and injured you. Like in most other personal injury cases, it is possible to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages in a dog-bite injury case. Economic damages are more straightforward and include any direct financial losses resulting from the attack.

The economic damages you can seek from the defendant in your claim include compensation for your medical expenses, such as the cost of any rehabilitative care you will need after the initial treatment to reach maximum medical improvement. A dog bite can potentially result in crushing injuries, nerve damage, and fractures that may lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility.

Your attorney can make sure your claim addresses all the medical expenses you have, as well as those you will incur in the future. Some victims of dog attacks suffer head injuries or damage to internal organs if they are thrown to the ground. Many of these injuries will cause lasting damage, so it’s important to have an attorney’s help so they can ensure you receive appropriate compensation for all resulting medical expenses.

If you are unable to work while you recover from your injuries, you also have the right to claim compensation for your lost income from the dog owner. This also applies to lost future earnings if your injuries have resulted in any permanent harm that impacts your earning capacity.

In addition to these economic losses, you have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation that reflects the physical pain and psychological trauma you have experienced from the incident. Dog attacks can be highly traumatic experiences, and a victim may not only struggle with painful injuries but also psychological symptoms such as post-traumatic stress. Your attorney will know how to prove the full extent of the effects of the incident.

In addition to these economic and non-economic damages, it is possible for a plaintiff to also receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion. As the name suggests, punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant. For example, if their dog was previously classified as dangerous and they failed to follow any requirements imposed on them to prevent further attacks, they could face punitive damages, fines, or even jail time.

Resolving Your Dog-Bite Case in Glendale

A personal injury case for a dog attack may seem straightforward at first, and the strict liability rule can appear to be an advantage for the injured plaintiff. However, the reality is that many complications could arise in any personal injury case in Glendale. The defendant may argue against strict liability, claiming you provoked the attack in some way, or they may contest the scope of damages you are claiming.

You have limited time to file your personal injury case in California. There is a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, and this time limit begins on the date an injury happens. This may sound like plenty of time, but it may take longer than you expect to build the framework of your case.

Your Glendale dog-bite lawyer can gather the evidence you need to hold a dog owner accountable under the strict liability statute and/or for their negligence in handling their pet. Duque & Price can work diligently to uncover the full extent of the economic and non-economic damages you can claim and do everything we can to maximize your compensation.

Duque & Price has the resources, skills, and experience needed to handle the most challenging dog-bite cases in Glendale and the surrounding areas of California. Our team approaches every personal injury case we accept with a focus on our client’s unique individual needs. We know that no two cases are alike, so we adapt our techniques to meet each client’s situation. You have limited time to file your case, so it is important to reach out to our firm right away.

FAQs

How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Dog-Bite in California?

The amount of compensation you can claim for a dog bite in California will largely depend on the overall severity of your damages. If you can establish liability for the incident, you can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Ultimately, the total potential value of your dog-bite claim will depend most heavily on the overall severity of your damages and whether you suffered any permanent harm.

How Do You Prove Fault for a Dog-Bite in Glendale?

When proving fault for a dog bite in Glendale, the strict liability rule applies. This means that the dog owner is fully liable for any damages their pet causes to someone else, regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone in the past. However, the plaintiff will need to prove that they did not provoke the attack and that they were lawfully present at the location where the attack occurred.

What Happens to the Dog After It Bites Someone in Glendale?

After a dog has bitten someone in Glendale, California, law dictates that it must be quarantined for a medical review for at least 10 days. During this time, the dog will be assessed to determine whether it is a health or safety risk to others. Usually, the dog is returned to the owner after this 10-day period. However, if it is determined to be rabid or otherwise dangerous, the court may order it to be euthanized.

Why Should I Hire a Glendale Dog-Bite Lawyer?

You should hire a Glendale dog-bite lawyer to significantly increase your chance of success with your claim and the value of the case award you receive for your damages. You may think liability for the incident is clear, and you understand the damages you are eligible to claim. However, an experienced attorney is likely to secure a much better result in less time than you could manage if you tried to handle your case alone.

What Are Attorneys’ Fees for a Glendale Dog-Bite Lawyer?

Attorneys’ fees for a Glendale dog-bite lawyer are a percentage of your case award when you choose Duque & Price to represent you. Our firm accepts all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront fees for our representation, and our fee will only be a percentage of the client’s case award if we succeed in securing compensation for them. If there is no recovery, the client pays no fee.

Contact a Glendale Dog-Bite Lawyer

Duque & Price has the experience necessary to provide effective legal counsel for a wide range of complex personal injury cases in Glendale and the surrounding areas of California, including dog-bite claims. You have limited time to pursue compensation for your damages, and many unexpected complications might arise with your case. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Glendale dog-bite lawyer.

Glendale, CA Dog Bite Law Resources

• Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts in California