Fighting For Your Rights After a Dog Bite Injury

Getting injured in a dog bite attack can be a very traumatic experience, one that can take a toll on you physically, emotionally, and even financially. Regardless of this reality, a vast majority of dog bite injuries go unreported and many injured victims go uncompensated for their damages. If you were recently injured when attacked and bitten by a dog, you will need to consider speaking to an established attorney who will represent your case and fight for your rights as a victim. With many years of experience serving clients throughout Southern California, the attorneys at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP can advocate on your behalf.

Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP has a successful track record of winning dog bite injury cases. After you were recently bitten and injured by a dog, allow the proficient attorneys at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP to demonstrate how care for your well-being and integrity can make a significant difference in your case. Consider scheduling a free case evaluation with the law firm today.

The Law Is on Your Side – California’s Strict Dog Bite Injury Law

The State of California follows the theory of “strict liability” when it comes to dog bite injury cases. Under this theory, injured dog bite victims do not need to prove to the court that the dog owner was negligent in order to recover monetary damages for the injury. Instead, whenever a person gets bitten by a dog, the dog owner will face liability notwithstanding the following:

• The dog had never bitten or attacked the person or anyone else in the past
• The dog owner took all reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from biting the person
• The dog owner had no reason to believe that the dog had aggressive tendencies

In California, dog owners take full responsibility for any injuries their pet may cause others in a bite attack the moment he or she takes ownership of the dog.

Factors That Can Affect the Outcome of Your Case

Dog bite owners are generally strictly responsible in the event of a dog bite attack, however, there are a few exceptions that can affect the owner’s liability.

1. Trespassing: When a person is trespassing at the time of the attack, the dog owner may not be held liable for the injury. Under the state’s law, strict liability will only be applicable if the injured victim was lawfully in the private setting at the time of the dog bite attack or was otherwise in a public space.
2. Injured, but Not From a Bite: The law is clear when it indicates that a person can still seek compensation even when the animal bite did not break the skin. Still, dog owners will not be held liable if the injury was caused by other animal behaviors besides an actual bite. This includes knocking the victim over and chasing the victim.
3. Assumption of Risk: It is important for those injured to understand that the events prior to the attack will have a significant effect on determining whether or not the dog owner will be held responsible. For instance, the owner may avoid liability if the injured person was provoking the animal before it attacked.

Financial Recovery Following a Dog Bite Injury

A dog bite injury can inflict serious damage on a person and the extent of the damages can even affect family members as well. Under California law, a person who has been injured by a dog bite can pursue compensation for his or her damages. The following are just some of the many types of damages an injured person can seek to recover in a dog bite injury case.

1. Economic Damages: Economic losses are tangible damages. In general, a successful dog bite injury case will recover past, present, and sometimes future economic losses. These losses can include, but are not limited to:

• Medical expenses, such as treatment, surgery, at-home nursing, prescription medications, and physical therapy.
• Loss of wages, benefits, and future earnings. A loss of income can happen when the bite injury causes sufficient damage that prevents the victim’s ability to return to work. If the injury is catastrophic and the victim becomes disabled after the bite, the injured plaintiff may be eligible to recover the loss of his or her future earnings.

2. Non-Economic Damages: Unlike economic losses, these losses cannot be directly tied to tangible forms of economic damages. Non-economic losses give victims the opportunity to seek compensation for hardships that they would not have had but for the dog bite. Compensation can be obtained for:

• Pain and suffering, such as psychological trauma and physical pain.
• Emotional distress. When a person is severely injured, the attack can dramatically reduce the person’s quality of life. The bite can not only be physically debilitating, but it can also be emotionally scarring. People, particularly young children, can develop long-lasting fears, trauma, and cognitive disorders.

Allow an Experience Dog Bite Injury Attorney Advocate on Your Behalf

A dog bite can affect a person’s life in more ways than one. After an attack, a person can face physical trauma, emotional distress, and even serious financial hardship. If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, act immediately and seek the legal representation of an established attorney who can advocate on your behalf. A dedicated attorney will champion on your behalf and ensure you obtain a full understanding of your legal rights. A proficient attorney will also help you obtain the highest compensation possible.

Over the years, Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP has successfully represented many clients who suffered the terrible consequences of a dog bite injury. The attorneys at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP understand the severity of these cases; therefore, when selecting the firm to represent your case, you can rest assured that a trusted attorney will fight tirelessly on your behalf. Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP will always pursue full compensation for the damages, including PTSD and other health conditions. Consider contacting the law firm today by completing the online form here and scheduling a complimentary case evaluation.

Stephen Levine

Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.