Irvine Dog Bite Lawyer

Irvine Dog Bite Attorney

Many people in Irvine regularly have positive interactions with dogs. Irvine Central Bark is a popular dog park in the area, and it is common to see dog owners walking their pets through residential areas. However, when a dog attack happens, the injured victim needs to know their rights when it comes to claiming compensation for their damages. An Irvine dog bite lawyer is an invaluable resource if you have experienced such an incident.

Representing Victims of Dog Attacks in Irvine, CA

The attorneys at Duque & Price have successfully represented many past clients in a wide range of personal injury cases in Irvine and surrounding areas, including those filed in response to dog bites. These incidents can happen unexpectedly with devastating results. Even dogs with no history of aggression may lash out and cause severe injuries. It’s important to hire a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible if this happens to you or a family member.

Our team will carefully review the details of the incident and help you understand California’s dog bite laws as they apply to your case. Generally, dog owners are strictly liable for any damages their pets cause, regardless of whether their dog has any known history of aggression or previous attacks. There are rules for applying strict liability, and you need a skilled Irvine dog bite lawyer on your side to maximize your chance of success with this type of case.

Building Your Dog Bite Case in Irvine

Every day in the United States, about 1,000 Americans require treatment in emergency rooms for serious dog bite injuries. On average, there are about 12,480 hospitalizations for dog bite injuries nationwide each year. When dogs attack, they can not only cause severe injuries by biting and clawing, but also by knocking victims to the ground, potentially causing traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and damage to internal organs.

While any dog can potentially injure someone unexpectedly, some breeds are more likely to cause severe or fatal harm than others. Between 2005 and 2019, there were 523 deaths from dog attacks in the United States, and pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 76% of these deaths. While these two breeds were identified as most often responsible for fatal injuries, pit bulls cause fatal injuries at a rate of seven times as often as rottweilers.

In California, the strict liability statute for dog attacks leaves very little room for argument. As long as the victim of a dog attack did not provoke the attack and they were legally present at the location where the attack occurred, the dog owner is fully responsible for all damages their pet caused. A skilled Irvine dog bite lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to firmly establish liability for the attack.

Claiming Compensation for a Dog Bite in Irvine

Once you have established strict liability for the dog attack you experienced, your attorney can help you assess the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim from the dog’s owner. It’s possible for the plaintiff in a dog bite injury case to claim several types of economic damages, including: 

• Property damage. If the incident resulted in any damage to your personal property, you have the right to claim compensation for these losses.
• Medical expenses. Dog attacks can easily result in severe physical harm. Victims may require extensive medical treatment to recover as much as possible. Your Irvine dog bite lawyer can help you claim compensation for immediate and future medical treatment costs arising from the incident.
• Lost wages. If you cannot work while you recover, the defendant is responsible for the income you cannot earn during this period.
• Lost earning power. Some dog attacks result in permanent harm. If you are disabled because of the injuries you suffered in a dog attack, your attorney can help you claim compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn.

In addition to these economic damages, you would also have the right to claim compensation for your pain and emotional suffering. Physical pain, emotional distress, and trauma you have experienced from the attack are non-economic damages you can cite in your personal injury case, and your lawyer can help you figure out a suitable amount to seek from the defendant. Generally, more serious injuries will result in greater pain and emotional suffering compensation.

It is also possible for the dog’s owner to face additional penalties, especially if they knew their dog was dangerous yet failed to prevent it from attacking you. Punitive damages could be awarded at the court’s discretion. In extreme cases, dog owners can face fines and even jail time for failure to comply with any previously established requirements for safe handling of a presumably dangerous dog in California.

What You Can Expect From an Irvine Dog Bite Lawyer

Navigating the legal aftermath of a dog attack in Irvine can be challenging. You may face painful and expensive medical bills, struggle with psychological trauma from the incident, and cannot work for an extended time. These issues can quickly create a very difficult situation for you and your family, and you have limited time to file a dog bite injury claim in California.

When you choose Duque & Price to represent you, we can immediately investigate the dog attack you experienced, begin gathering evidence to support your case, and accurately assess the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim. We can help you resolve the case efficiently through pretrial settlement negotiation if possible, but we are also prepared to litigate for you if necessary to ensure the fullest possible recovery.

Ultimately, the first steps you take after a dog attack in California are crucial. The strict liability rule may work favorably for you, but you need an attorney you trust to help you take full advantage of your legal options. Reach out to Duque & Price right away to learn more about the legal services we offer and how we can help you with your case.

FAQs

What Are Defenses in a Dog Bite Case?

Possible defenses in a dog bite case include trespassing and provocation. Under California’s strict liability rule, a dog owner is fully responsible for any damages their pet causes to someone else as long as the victim did not provoke the attack and they were legally present at the location where the attack occurred. Your Irvine dog bite attorney can help you establish strict liability and resolve any disputes concerning trespassing and/or provocation from the defendant.

How Much Recompense Can I Claim for a Dog Bite in Irvine?

The recompense that you can claim after a dog bite in Irvine will depend on the severity of your injuries. When strict liability applies, the dog’s owner is responsible for any economic and non-economic damages you suffered because of their pet. These damages could include medical bills, lost income, lost earning capacity, and compensation for your pain and emotional suffering.

What Typically Happens After a Dog Bites Someone in California?

After a dog bites someone in California, it will typically need to be quarantined to check for any infectious diseases, such as rabies. If animal health officials determine that the dog is dangerous and/or poses a clear safety and health risk, they could order that the dog be put down. In most cases, the dog will be returned to its owner after the quarantine period, and the owner will be strictly liable for the victim’s damages.

Why Should I Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?

You should hire a dog bite lawyer to have the greatest possible chance of success with your case. A skilled attorney can help you establish strict liability for the damages you suffered in the dog attack, uncover the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim, and streamline your legal proceedings, potentially reducing the time you must wait to receive compensation. You’re more likely to win your case and maximize your compensation with an attorney’s help.

What Will It Cost Me to Hire an Irvine Dog Bite Lawyer?

The cost to hire an Irvine dog bite lawyer will depend on the total value of your case if you choose Duque & Price to represent you. We take all personal injury cases on contingency, so we will only charge our client a fee if and when we win compensation for them. This contingency fee is a portion of the compensation recovered from the defendant, and if there is no recovery for any reason, the client pays nothing.

Get in Touch With Our Irvine Dog Bite Attorneys

The team at Duque & Price has successfully resolved many complex personal injury cases on behalf of clients in Irvine and throughout Orange County. We are confident we can guide you to a positive conclusion to your dog bite injury case, but you have limited time to file the case and pursue accountability. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an Irvine dog bite lawyer and learn how we can help.

Irvine, CA Dog Bite Resources

• Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts in California