Dog attacks are frightening and can cause severe trauma to the person being bitten. Although some people think it is rare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that dog bites number almost 4.5 million every year. Numerous claims are filed with insurance companies annually to recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages because of a dog attack, and an Oakley dog bite lawyer can help.

If you have been injured in a dog attack incident in Oakley or elsewhere in Contra Costa County, call our experienced personal injury attorneys at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 for a free consultation.

The trauma, medical expenses, or permanent scarring and disfigurement caused by a dog bite can be significant. You may be entitled to compensation for losses sustained after being attacked by a dog. As soon as possible, seek legal representation from an Oakley dog bite lawyer because even minor bites can become serious if disease or infection occurs.

In California, under Civil Code 3342, people may seek compensation for their injuries if they are bitten by a dog while legally on the property. This law does not cover people illegally on the property and those working for the government during their official duties.

According to national and medical statistics concerning dog bites, you run a chance of one in 50 being bitten by a dog. There were $120.7 million in claims paid out in California for dog bites in 2021, with the average award being $59,561.

Many people don’t know what to do because of the shock and pain after being attacked by a dog. The advice that follows might help:

• Contact animal control or the police right away.
• Obtain contact information from the dog’s owner.
• You should also obtain the dog’s veterinarian’s contact information and the owner’s full name, phone number, and address.
• If you think you may place a claim for damages, and you should assume you might, you may be required to provide the testimony of any witnesses to the attack, so get their contact information.
• Ensure the dog’s vaccination record is current, and ask the vet if there have been any previous incidents of aggression. It can be painful and expensive to receive rabies shots if the dog hasn’t been kept up-to-date on its vaccinations.
• You should seek medical attention immediately if you are injured by going to the emergency room or seeing your regular physician. If you believe your injury is only minor, if the skin has been broken, you may develop an infection or catch a dangerous disease from the wound. In some cases, those injuries can become life-threatening.
• Take photos of the location and the dog, if possible. Photos of your injuries and your clothing are a good idea, too. It will help provide good evidence for your injury claim.
• To keep it safe, place the clothing in a plastic bag.
• Record your losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages. Also, write down your level of injury daily, your treatments, and your emotional state.

According to the National Institutes of Health, between 10 and 20 percent of dog bites become infected. Dogs can also carry diseases that can be transferred to humans through their salivae, such as tetanus, cellulitis, meningitis, and others. This is why it is so important to have a wound adequately cleaned and see a doctor because antibiotics may be necessary.

It is challenging to navigate the legal system alone after being injured by a dog bite. If you suffer a dog bite injury, you should contact an Oakley dog bite attorney as soon as possible, who can help you negotiate a fair settlement amount.

An injury lawyer can help by gathering the evidence needed to support your claim to get you the compensation you deserve. Besides offering legal advice and guidance, a personal injury attorney can negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve.

Below is a video presenting tips for picking a personal injury lawyer from attorney Ed Smith:

In addition to protecting your rights, an injury lawyer can collect evidence supporting your compensation claim. The compensation you recover from a dog bite injury enables you to move forward without experiencing financial hardship. Still, it also holds the owner responsible, so it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

Contact one of our experienced dog bite attorneys in Oakley for free and friendly advice at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 or complete the online form. We would happily arrange a free consultation to review your case in person or virtually, where you can discover available options to recover compensation.

See our Verdicts and Settlements to learn how we have helped our clients.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.26.23] Photo attribution: by Christel SAGNIEZ from Pixabay cd [861] cha}