Most people who own dogs consider their pets as part of the family. As the saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend. So, when a dog bite incident happens, it is not ordinary for emotions to flare up and natural instincts to protect the family pet from kicking in. Unfortunately, regardless of how friendly and lovable a dog has always been, any dog can become aggressive and attack in the blink of an eye, leaving the victim with serious injuries, including disfigurement, permanent scarring, and psychological trauma, or, in some cases, the dog bite may even result in death.

While most dog owners believe their dog would not hurt a soul, numerous people are attacked by dogs each year. Many of those victims are children. And, quite often, dogs attack for no reason at all.

Unprovoked dog attacks may occur because of the dog’s natural aggressive predisposition or due to an illness or condition the dog has, such as rabies. In such situations, an experienced Stockton dog bite attorney can help injured parties hold owners financially accountable for the damages their pets have caused under California law. 

If you have been bitten by a dog, call our injury lawyers today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to schedule a free consultation to learn about your legal options for financial recovery. 

Our law firm has met dogs that were one of the breeds considered dangerous, and they were some of the sweetest, most well-trained, and friendly pets we have ever met. Our Stockton dog bite attorneys have also heard plenty of stories about dogs on the most dangerous breed list that were vicious and aggressive, and no amount of training could calm them down. We have also seen dogs that landed in the most dangerous dog breeds go from being the sweetest, lovable dogs to suddenly attacking.

Here are the breeds that are considered dangerous:

• Pitbull
• Rottweiler
• German Shepherds
• Bull Mastiffs

If you, your child, or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, you may be able to recover the maximum amount of liability under California dog bite law from the dog’s owner. Our Stockton dog bite lawyers have helped injured parties recover fair compensation for their injuries and losses incurred. Our law firm understands the intricacies of preparing, proving, and arguing California’s dog bite and animal attack cases.

Choosing a Stockton dog bite lawyer is often a daunting experience for dog bite victims. You are trying to recover from your injuries and move forward with your life, but you must also ensure your medical bills get paid. When selecting an attorney to pursue your Stockton dog bite case, you must choose an injury lawyer with the experience and past success of representing Stockton dog bite victims and someone you feel is a good match for your needs.

We encourage you to contact our law firm for a free consultation to determine if we are the right Stockton dog bite injury attorneys for your case.

Most of us will envision bite mark wounds when thinking about dog bite injuries. We must remember that many dogs, especially the larger dogs, and breeds that are more well-known for aggressive behavior, are incredibly muscular and have sharp teeth that grow naturally to tear into and rip meat apart. Combine those physical characteristics with aggressive behavior, and one dog can inflict severe physical damage on a person in just moments.

Typical dog bite injuries, besides bite wounds that our past clients have had, include:

• Disfigurement
• Internal bleeding
• Damage to ligaments and tendons
• Spinal cord and nerve injuries
• Torn muscles
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones

California follows strict liability laws regarding dog bites that occur in Stockton. Fortunately, strict liability means that victims of dog bite injuries in Stockton are provided maximum financial protection. According to the California dog bite statute, if a dog causes harm to an individual, the dog owner is held 100 percent responsible for the injuries and any damages that come along with the injuries. The owner does not have to be aware of the dog’s past aggressive behavior. In fact, absolutely no prior knowledge, understanding, or intent is required to hold the dog’s owner liable.

California holds dog owners accountable for the behavior and actions of their pets. Anyone wanting to own a pet is also obligated to raise, train, and supervise their domesticated animal. If their animal, for whatever reason, displays aggressive behavior, the dog owner is responsible for adequately correcting the behavior and restraining the animal to ensure that a dog bite or attack incident does not occur. Contact an experienced dog bite injury lawyer in Stockton for more details.