Have you been bitten by a dog in California? If so, the owner of the dog may owe you compensation. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we’ve handled many dog bite claims and gotten settlements or awards for our clients. If you’re not sure if your case qualifies, the best way to find out is to call us at 909-982-0707 for a free case evaluation.
First things first: Who to report the attack to
The first thing you should do after any animal attack is seek immediate medical attention. You’ll then need to report the attack to both the police and to Animal Control. Not only will you need these report numbers for your potential dog bite case, but it’s your duty to ensure the property authorities know that there’s a dangerous animal out there.
What you’ll need to prove to have a case
Some states are one-bite states, which means that all it takes is a single bite from a dog for there to be the possibility of a personal injury case. Even if a dog has never before bitten anyone and the owner had no past evidence that their dog was capable of biting or being aggressive, the owner can still be held responsible.
Unfortunately, this is not the case in California because it is not a one-bite state. If you’re injured by a dog bite then you’ll have to prove numerous things in order to have a case. First, you’ll need to prove that the party you’re suing was the owner of the dog. In most cases, this is relatively easy to prove.
Next, you must prove that at the time the dog bit you, you were on either public property or were lawfully on private property. In short, if you were trespassing then you can’t sue. Even if you were approaching a home when you were bit, if you didn’t have explicit permission to be on that property, then you may not have a case. Call us right away to get more information.
Finally, you must prove that the dog caused an injury when they bit you. Once again, in most cases this is relatively easy to prove but in some cases it can be more complicated. When you work with Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we will hire the necessary experts to prove that your injuries were sustained from the bite of the defendant’s dog.
How much is your case worth?
The amount you’re entitled to will vary based on a wide range of facts, including what your past, present, and expected future medical bills were and will be, how much pain and suffering you endured, and the amount of lost wages.
How long does a dig bite case take?
Once again, it depends on a wide range of factors. One thing’s for sure, when you have an experienced attorney on your side, the process will be much smoother. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas today at 909-982-0707 for your free case evaluation.
