While dogs have earned a reputation as man’s best friend for a reason, it is an unfortunate reality that dog bites are far from uncommon. The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) reports that over 4 million people in the U.S. are injured in dog bite incidents yearly.

National statistics are one thing, but West Sacramento residents may have more reason to exercise caution around dogs than the average American. California insurance companies are inundated with dog bite claims, leading the Los Angeles Times to ponder whether California should be considered the dog bite capital of the United States. What is not up for debate is that, in recent years, California insurance companies have received the highest number of dog bite claims.

California dog bites are only growing in frequency and numbers. Serious dog bites requiring an emergency room visit have increased by 44 percent in California over the last 10 years. In 2015 alone, the state of California experienced 26,910 such dog bites. Sacramento County alone was impacted by over 1,500 emergency room visits for dog bites in 2015, which is well over double the emergency room dog bites experienced in 2005.

The takeaway from these numbers is that serious dog bite injuries are too common in California and West Sacramento. If you have been the victim of a dog bite in West Sacramento, know you are not alone. And know that you may be entitled to legal compensation for your injuries.

California holds dog owners accountable for the violent actions of their dogs since the state expects owners to assume responsibility when they choose to own a domestic animal. In addition to essential duties such as training and supervising the dog, California dog owners are also expected to curb a dog’s aggressive behavior or properly restrain/prevent the dog from engaging in any attacks or biting incidents.

As such, injured victims of a dog bite should talk to a West Sacramento dog bite attorney with the experience needed to determine whether the victim has a case that can result in deserved compensation. For more than three decades, we have earned the trust of West Sacramento dog bite victims and victims in Sacramento County by becoming well-versed in the California dog bite law. Over the last 30 years, we have observed Sacramento County courtroom procedures and practices, which has provided me with the insight needed to prove and argue a successful dog bite case.

Choosing the right dog bite attorney is one of the most important decisions an injured victim can make, and it is not a choice to be taken lightly. Not only do you need a West Sacramento dog bite attorney who is experienced, but you also need an attorney you trust. We encourage you to read about our law firm on our website to see if our representation style fits you. 

As a strict liability dog bite state, California embraces a legal doctrine that provides maximum protection for dog bite victims. California Civil Code Section 3342 expressly provides that if a dog causes an injury to a person, the dog owner is responsible for the damages/harms caused.

Therefore, the owner does not need to know of the attack, awareness of past dog aggression, or any other knowledge/intent to be held liable for the injuries caused by their dog’s attack. California law places the responsibility for dog bites mainly on the shoulders of dog owners on public policy grounds. Simply put, dog owners should be responsible for ensuring that their domestic animal does not endanger the local community’s safety.

Even if the dog attacked unprovoked, a West Sacramento dog owner would likely be liable for any resulting injuries, even if the attack was sudden and seemingly for no reason. Additionally, the excuse that a dog owner did not have enough time to stop an attack is no defense for escaping legal liability in California.

Given California dog bites’ propensity to lead to emergency room visits and worse, it may be no surprise that many dog bites are far more severe than simple bite marks. This is particularly true when large and/or aggressive dog breeds are involved in a dog bite attack since they have the size and strength to inflict severe harm.

Common dog bites we have observed in our years representing dog bite victims include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Spinal Cord and Nerve Injuries
• Torn Muscles
• Damaged Ligaments and Tendons
• Internal Bleeding
• Disfigurement
• Broken Bones
• Bite Wounds

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another that has caused you to be the victim of a dog bite or any other injury, please call our experienced West Sacramento dog bite lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice you can trust.

See our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.13.23] Photo by joolsthegreat on Pixabay [cs 988]}