Sylmar Dog Bite Lawyer

How common are dog bite injuries?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bite injuries accounted for 33 percent of the claims that were paid out from homeowners’ insurance policies in 2017 for a total of almost $700 million. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an estimated 4.5 million people in the U.S. suffer dog bite injuries every year. In California, 2,228 claims for dog bite injuries were filed in 2017 at a total cost of $90.4 million.

How to determine if a dog bite qualifies for a lawsuit

While some states have what is known as a one-bite rule for dog bites, California imposes strict liability for dog bites. This means that the owner of a dog may be liable when the dog bites someone and injures them regardless of whether or not the owner knew that the dog had a propensity to attack. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 3342, a dog owner is liable to pay monetary damages when his or her dog bites someone who is on public property or who is lawfully on private property. If you were bitten while you were in public or while you were visiting the property of another as a guest or for business purposes, the dog’s owner may be liable to pay damages to you. You are not able to recover damages if you were bitten by a police dog that was working when you were attacked, however.

What are common injuries that can happen when dogs bite?

Dog attacks can leave people suffering from many different injuries. Some of the most common types of injuries that can result from a dog attack include the following injuries:

• Lacerations
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Broken bones
• Puncture wounds
• Nerve damage
• Emotional distress

Who is most at risk for dog bite injuries?

The people who are most at risk of being injured or killed in dog bites are the young and the old. In 2017, there were 39 dog bite fatalities. Out of the people who died, 38 percent were children who were ages eight and younger. Among the children who were killed by dogs, 67 percent were newborns or infants up to 20 months old. Among the adults who were killed in dog attacks, people who were over the age of 50 accounted for 75 percent of the adult deaths. Among the adult victims, 75 percent were women. More boys were killed than girls among the child victims of dog attacks.

What dog bite victims should do after they have been attacked

If you see a dog in public, avoid making eye contact. If the dog begins to act aggressively, ignore the dog and turn your body to the side with your arms crossed. Remain motionless for a few moments and then slowly try to create distance between you and the dog. If you can, try to get behind a barrier. If the dog attacks, curl up in the fetal position on the ground while protecting your head and face with your hands and arms.

After you have been attacked by a dog, it is important for you to get medical attention. Dog bite puncture wounds are very susceptible to infection, and a dog might also have rabies or another disease. Call 911 or ask a bystander to do so. Try to get the name of the dog’s owner or a good description of the dog that bit you. If you can, take a photograph of the dog and of the scene. When the police arrive, tell them what happened, and encourage any bystanders who witnessed what happened to talk to the police. Try to get the names and contact information of all of the witnesses. Doing so may help you later to recover damages.

When you should contact a Sylmar dog bite lawyer

Under California’s dog bite liability statute, you have two years from the date that you were injured by a dog attack to file a lawsuit. In practice, it is best to talk to an experienced Sylmar dog bite lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. This may allow your lawyer to track down witnesses and evidence before they are lost. Contact the dog bite injury team at our law firm to schedule a consultation so that you can learn about the rights that you might have.