Auburn Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog bite is a serious incident that can leave a person with long-lasting injuries, medical complications, and mental anguish, even in people who have loved animals their entire lives. When you suffer an injury like this, do not settle your case without first speaking to an Auburn dog bite lawyer, a trusted professional with the ability to fight to protect your right to compensation. At Triumph Law, our Auburn personal injury lawyer is committed to being there to meet your needs.

What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury

If you suffer a dog bite, your first goal should be to call the police to receive medical care at the scene of the incident or to get to the hospital for care. Your primary objective should be to protect your health, and during that process, you may be able to snap photos of the incident and gather the names of those involved. Documenting what occurred to you can be important, so when possible, try to get the following information:

• The name and contact information of the dog’s owner
• The name and contact information for any witness
• Photos of the injury you have and the dog
• Photos of the surrounding area
• Statements from anyone who saw what occurred

Be sure to file a police report as well. This allows for the proper documentation of what occurred and the beginning of creating a trail of evidence. It is not always easy to obtain compensation after a dog bite case, even when you think you have a clear-cut cause and injury.

You Need to Report the Incident to the City

Under Sacramento law, all dog bites that occur in the area must be reported, even if you do not seek medical attention, and they will be investigated. Be sure to call 368-7387 (PETS) to report this incident to the Department of Animal Care in the state. You can also follow the information provided by the city on what steps to take after such an incident.

The Dog Owner Is Likely Responsible for Your Losses

Under California law (Cal. Civ. Code §3342 (2023)), a California dog owner is responsible for the actions of their pet, and that means any damages they cause to you. As a strict liability dog bite state, this means that the pet owner must provide financial compensation to cover your losses if their dog is found to be at fault for what occurred. This is applicable in most situations, including:

• If the owner knew the dog could bite a person or did not know
• If the owner could have taken precautions to prevent the dog from biting or not

There are limitations to this dog bite law in California that must be considered. That is, the dog owner is strictly liable for the dog’s actions if the person was bitten and was in a public place or was, in some way, on private property in a lawful manner. If the person was trespassing on the property, for example, then this law does not apply, which is why you need to discuss your case with an Auburn dog bite lawyer from Triumph Law.

What does It Mean If a Dog Bites a Trespasser Under California Law?

If you are walking on someone else’s property and a dog runs out to you and bites you, can you file a claim for those losses? Generally, the laws in the state do not protect a trespasser but only apply when a person is considered lawfully on the property. Some examples of lawfully being on the property include the owner inviting them onto the property or carrying out some type of legal duty.

What About an Injury that Is Not a Dog Bite?

An Auburn dog bite attorney can also help you in situations where the dog injured you in some way but did not necessarily bite you. While laws do not directly provide protection in this area, you may still have the right to compensation in the state if the dog causes significant injury to you. Examples of this could be deep wounds from scratches or knocking over a child in a malicious manner that causes injuries.

Why a Dog Bite Attorney in Auburn Is Critical in Fighting for Your Rights to Compensation

An Auburn dog bite lawyer may help you obtain maximum compensation for the losses you have by using a variety of legal strategies and industry knowledge to create a case for you. If you have a minor injury, filing a claim with the owner’s homeowners insurance is typically all it takes. However, if your case involves significant medical bills, lost time at work, and traumatic events, do not settle your case until you meet with an attorney for several key reasons:

• Determine what your losses are: It is critical to know what all of your losses are in a serious dog bite case, and that may mean long-term recovery and numerous surgical implications.
• Know your mental health needs: A dog bite is a traumatic event that creates emotional distress and mental anguish, which you may have the right to compensation for, depending on your situation.
• Avoid the insurance companies: Insurance companies work very hard to limit the compensation paid out in these cases, but your dog bite lawyer in Auburn will fight to protect your rights.
• Get help for going to court: There are some situations where you may need to go to court after this type of incident occurs, and you need an attorney to help you with the process.
• Avoid settling for too little: You should not feel rushed to settle for less than what you are owed.

You deserve fair compensation. Set up a free consultation with your attorney to discuss your case thoroughly. Review our past triumphs to learn how we have helped clients just like you recover compensation for their injuries.

Put Triumph Law, P.C. to Work for You

Our Auburn dog bite lawyer can answer all of your questions about your rights to compensation and California dog bite laws when you contact us. Set up a free, no-obligation consultation at Triumph Law, P.C., to discuss your case with our team. We are Sacramento’s top personal injury litigators for a reason.