Glendale Dog Bite Lawyer Holds Negligent Owners Accountable      

Firm delivers strong advocacy for victims of animal bites in Southern California        

Most dogs are lovable, but there are situations where one becomes dangerous. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, dog bites pose a serious health risk. Each year in the United States, dogs bite more than 4.5 million people. More than 800,000 victims are injured badly enough to seek medical attention. As the most populated state, as well as one where 40 percent of households own at least one dog, California is the leading state for dog attack injuries. So, if you’ve been injured by a vicious dog, you are not alone. However, to get the compensation you deserve, you might need a new best friend. Geragos Law Group in Glendale is ready to take up your cause and fight for your rights. Attorney Matthew Geragos has more than 30 years of experience helping injured clients recover the full compensation they deserve.

Common types of dog bite injuries

Dog bite injuries run the gamut from a break of the skin to catastrophic harm. Many victims of dog bites are children, and toddlers are the most likely to be fatally attacked. Common injuries that occur when dogs attack include:

  • Punctures
  • Lacerations
  • Crush injuries
  • Blood loss and shock
  • Nerve damage
  • Torn muscles and tendons
  • Scarring
  • Infectious diseases, including rabies

Large dogs can also injure people simply by jumping up and knocking them to the ground. Dog attacks can also inflict psychological trauma, resulting in night terrors, agoraphobia and fear of pets.

Liability for dog bites in California

California law imposes strict liability for dog bites on the dog’s owner, if the bite occurs in a public place or on private property where the victim has a legal right to be. The owner cannot use the defense that the dog never bit anyone before. However, the owner can raise the defenses that the victim was trespassing or that they provoked the animal. Strict liability only pertains to dog bites. If you were injured because a dog knocked you down, or some other reason not involving a bite, you would have to prove the owner was negligent in allowing the incident to occur.

Compensation available to dog bite injury victims

If a dog has attacked, you should focus on your safety. When the animal’s owner is not nearby, it is possible that it could return and possibly re-engage, so you should get to a safe location. Collect evidence that allows you to identify the dog and locate its owner. Seek immediate medical attention, then contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You should also report the dog to animal control.

How you behave in the wake of the attack can impact your ability to recover damages, including compensation for the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering

As your advocates in your dog bite claim, we are determined to maximize the amount of compensation you receive for your injuries.     

Contact a dedicated California dog bite lawyer for a free consultation

Geragos Law Group in Glendale seeks compensation for victims of animal attacks and other personal injury plaintiffs in Southern California. For a free consultation, please call 213-652-2129 or contact us online.