The very first Orangevale dog park opened in July 2017. The location is inside Pecan Park. Before the opening, dog owners would typically need to drive their dogs to other cities to visit accessible parks. A dog park is a great feature to add to the city, especially given the risks associated with dogs walking around neighborhoods and other public areas like schools and sports fields. The risk is that a vicious dog may attack someone in these public settings or wind up off-leash and attack another person.

Each year, about 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs. About 1-in-5 dog bites result in injuries that require some form of medical attention. In fact, more than 29,000 reconstructive surgeries are necessary due to severe dog bite injuries.

The average cost of hospital treatment for a severe dog bite is $18,200, 50 percent higher than other types of injuries requiring a hospital stay.

When you or a loved one is a victim of a dog bite, you should immediately do the following:

• Identify the dog’s owner. You should find out the owner’s address and ask if the dog’s shots are current.
• Get medical treatment: Immediately after a dog bite, you should get medical treatment, even if the injury seems minor. This is because there is a risk of getting an infection from a dog bite if not treated properly.
• Report the dog bite: The next thing you should do is file a dog bite report with the Orangevale animal control or Sheriff’s Department.
• Take pictures of your dog bite injury as evidence during your dog bite claim.
• After this, you should contact an Orangevale dog bite lawyer for the next step.

Pit Bulls are one of the most dangerous dog breeds in America. They account for more than half of fatal dog bite attacks. It is a breed that combines numerous breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Terrier.

This dog breed’s aggressive behavior and powerful jaws can make it very dangerous. A history of being bred for dog fighting has also produced some particularly vicious specimens. Their surprise attacks mean that people are not usually prepared when they pounce. They also have a notably destructive bite as they hold and shake their bite grips.

Other types of dangerous breeds include:

• Rottweilers
• Bull Mastiffs
• German Shepherds

Children are most at risk of getting bitten by a dog. Next are senior citizens. About half of dog bites occur with animals owned by neighbors or the injured person’s family.

Getting bitten by a dog can leave you damaged both physically and emotionally. In terms of bodily harm, common types of injuries include:

• Lacerations to the face, neck, arms, and lower body
• Puncture Wounds
• Loss of tissue or amputation
• Fractured Bones
• Scarring
• Nerve damage
• Deadly infections requiring medication and intensive treatment (e.g., rabies, cellulitis, etc.)

In addition to bodily injuries, there may also be emotional and psychological trauma associated with the attack. The victim may not feel or behave generally for an extended period, including developing depression and anxiety around dogs or other animals. This is clinically considered to be post-traumatic stress disorder. A dog bite victim suffering from PTSD deserves this debilitating harm treated and compensated for by the dog owner.

Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be entitled to recover financial restitution for the following harms and losses:

• Your immediate and long-term medical expenses
• Lost wages if you are unable to work due to your bodily injuries
• Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma (see above regarding PTSD)

California is a no-nonsense state when it comes to dog bites. Under Section 3342 of the California Civil Code, a dog owner is strictly liable for harm inflicted by their dog when the victim is in public or lawfully in a private place. This private place also includes the home of the dog owner. The liability stands regardless of whether or not the owner knew of the dog’s vicious tendencies. However, this means the dog owner could avoid liability if the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog.

If you or a loved one was the victim of a dog attack, consult with an Orangevale dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Why? Because the statute of limitations governing dog bite personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the attack. After two years, any civil action you bring to the court will likely not be entertained and dismissed. In addition, it is recommended that you seek legal counsel sooner rather than later so a proper investigation can be conducted of what exactly happened. A demand letter can be sent to the homeowner’s insurance company for the dog owner.

Sometimes, the statute of limitations period may be “tolled” when the victim is a child (i.e., under 18). The limitation period is effectively frozen until the child turns 18, then the two-year clock begins to run.

The following video explains why retaining a lawyer for your dog bite claim is essential.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a dog bite incident? Please contact our experienced Orangevale dog bite lawyers right away at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice without obligation. We can also be reached online at www.AutoAccident.com.

The injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com have been serving the Orangevale and Greater California communities since 1982, helping injured people and their families recover after accidents. See some of our valued client reviews on Avvo, Yelp, and Google.

We are a member of the Million Dollar Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

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^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.21.23] Photo by StockSnap sid rey [cs 1035]}