The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) keeps track of annual dog bite injury statistics in the United States. According to that agency, on average, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Dog bite injuries can range from mild to very severe and disabling. There are even instances of fatal dog attacks every year.

If you or a family member has suffered severe injuries from a dog bite incident, call our legal team at (916) 921-6400 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Some of the common injury types that our Rancho Murieta dog bite attorneys have seen are:

• Punсturеѕ аnd lacerations
• Nerve damage
• Infections
• Sсаrring on various parts of the body
• Psychological aftereffects such as PTSD

A dog attack is traumatic. Here are some things you need to remember if you become a victim of a vicious dog.

• If you were attacked by a dog, immediately seek medical attention. Dog bites present a severe risk of infection, and quick treatment may help reduce those risks. To mitigate the risk of infection, you will likely be prescribed a course of preventative antibiotics. The sooner you see a physician, the faster your healing process can begin.
• You must identify the dog owner that bit you regarding your legal rights. If you are incapacitated by your injuries, enlist a friend or family member to obtain the home address and phone number of the person to whom the dog belongs. The dog owner is directly responsible for the damages that result from their pet’s actions. If you cannot track down the dog’s owner, the possibility of obtaining monetary recovery declines significantly. If you successfully locate the dog owner, our Rancho Murieta dog bite attorneys will be better able to help you with your claim.
• Take photographs of your injuries shortly after the attack, and photo document your entire healing process.
• Report the dog attack to your local animal control agency. This is crucial to prevent other innocent people from being attacked by the same dog.
• Contact a Rancho Murieta dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options for the dog owner’s financial recovery.

Some of the damages that may be recoverable in a personal injury claim resulting from a dog attack include:

• Medical expenses – past and future
• Loss of income as a result of missing time from work
• Pain and suffering

The total medical expenses incurred by dog bite victims will vary widely. There will be some scarring that could require future plastic surgery in most cases. Some bite injuries are so severe that they require surgery and even hospitalization. There will likely be physical therapy and rehabilitation if there is nerve or muscle damage.

California law dictates that dog owners are “strictly liable” for any injuries their pet causes. This is regardless of whether the animal has a biting or aggressive behavior history. Strict liability means the dog owner cannot circumvent responsibility by claiming that the dog has never exhibited vicious behavior.

Watch the YouTube video with tips to prevent a dog bite injury.

Thеrе аrе complexities to dog bite cases that an experienced Rancho Murieta dog bite attorney will be able to navigate. The biggest challenge presented by a dog bite lawsuit was when the dog was owned by a person who rented their living space rather than someone who owned their home. In such a case, other information needs to be determined before the property owner’s insurance policy will pay for damages. Choosing whether insurance coverage is an investigation best handled by a skilled dog bite attorney. Gathering key evidence is essential in the time immediately following a dog attack. Getting an attorney on board as soon as possible ensures that this evidence-gathering is handled and your rights are protected.

You may be entitled to monetary compensation if you or a family member were bitten by a dog and sustained injuries. Dog bite injuries can be severe and result in permanent damage. For free and friendly advice, contact us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. We will arrange a no-obligation consultation to review the details of your potential case.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.4.23] Image by Christel SAGNIEZ from Pixabay mm [cs 714] cha}

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