Granite Bay Dog Bite Lawyer

What should you do if you have been bitten by a dog in Granite Bay? You may be wondering if you are entitled to compensation for the physical and emotional injuries you suffered. With the help of an experienced Granite Bay dog bite lawyer, you can seek a financial settlement to cover your damages.

Triumph Law can help you handle the legal claims process. Insurance claims adjusters will likely offer you a low settlement or completely dismiss your case. A dedicated Granite Bay personal injury lawyer with our firm can assist you in recovering full compensation for your injuries.

What Is California Law Regarding Dog Bite Settlements?

Dog bites are governed by California Civil Code §3342. This law states that dog owners hold strict liability for any injury caused by their animals. Unless a dog is provoked, if it bites someone, the owner is fully responsible for any injury resulting from the dog bite.

California law demands strict liability when a dog owner is responsible for their dog attacking a person. This code includes injuries occurring on private or public property where the bite victim has a lawful right to be. The strict liability rule has the following exceptions:

• The bite victim was trespassing
• The dog in question was a law enforcement canine
• The victim assumed the risk
• The victim held partial fault for the attack

California does not limit victims bringing a claim based on severity. No matter how minor or serious the dog bite injury was, you have the right to pursue a formal lawsuit. A dog bite attorney in Granite Bay, CA can help you file a claim to seek compensation for your injuries.

How Are Dog Bite Settlements Calculated?

If you have been bitten by a dog, you fully understand that there are not only physical injuries involved but also a heavy emotional toll that can be faced. Unfortunately, California sees many dog bites each year. California leads the nation in dog bite injuries, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), with 1,954 dog bites recorded in 2022.

Many people wonder what the average dog bite settlement is. The truth is that no dog bite case will settle for the same amount of money. There are a variety of factors that will affect a California dog bite settlement.

Severity of Injuries 

A dog bite injury can range from mild or severe or even become fatal. A dog bite lawyer in Granite Bay, CA will review your medical records to determine the settlement amount that should be sought from the owner of the dog. When evaluating your dog bite injuries, you should consider the following details:

• Whether the dog broke through the skin
• The amount of blood loss
• Whether the dog transmitted a disease 
• If any injuries are permanent
• Where you were bitten
• The nature of the dog attack
• The breed of the dog
• Whether or not the dog has a history of aggression

If the dog bite caused severe injuries, your settlement amount could be higher than the average California dog bite settlement. If the injuries you sustained are minor, your claim could be worth less. Our dog bite team at Triumph Law will fully evaluate the above factors to build a case proving the severity of your injuries.

Age of the Victim

Dog bite cases heavily hinge on the age of the victim since adults should have a reasonable understanding of the consequences of teasing or approaching an unknown dog. The long-term effects of a dog bite are more likely to affect children, including emotional and physical injuries. Children are less able to appropriately defend themselves against a dog bite, generally causing dog bite insurance claims involving young children to result in a higher settlement.

Long-Term Effects

A dog bite can create long-term physical injuries, such as when the bite is to the person’s face, resulting in a change to their physical features. A person’s quality of life can be detrimentally affected when living with these types of injuries. Post-traumatic stress disorder can cause a victim to have an emotional episode when encountered by a dog, negatively affecting their day-to-day life.

Maximizing Your Dog Bite Settlement Amount

After suffering a dog bite, there are steps you can take to maximize your settlement amount. Your dog bite attorney in Granite Bay can assist you in seeking the highest compensation available for the severity of your injuries. To maximize your dog bite settlement amount, you should take the following steps:

• Seek full medical care for your dog bite injuries, no matter how minor they may seem
• Identify the dog that attacked you and its owner
• Report the attack to Animal Control
• Photograph your injuries
• Seek counseling for emotional distress

It is critical that you document and retain any information relating to the dog bite. Preserving this evidence will support your claim for compensation against the dog owner. A dog bite lawyer can significantly increase the settlement amount you receive from the insurance company.

Recoverable Damages in Dog Bite Cases 

California injury victims can recover damages after suffering a dog bite. These include compensatory damages (economic and non-economic) and punitive damages. Economic damages compensate for tangible losses, while non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses.

Economic Damages

Some common economic damages awarded in dog bite cases include:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of wages
• Loss of future earning capacity 

Non-Economic Damages 

Examples of common non-economic damages in dog bite injury claims include:

• Pain and suffering, emotional and physical 
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment of life 
• Loss of consortium 
• Humiliation and embarrassment 
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Permanent or temporary disability 

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are very rare in California dog bite cases. To be awarded punitive damages, your attorney must be able to show clear and convincing evidence that the dog owner acted with malice, intent, or gross negligence. These situations can be limited by California law.

Connect with a Top-Rated Granite Bay Dog Bite Lawyer with Triumph Law Today

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog bite injury, you deserve compensation for your damages. With the help of a knowledgeable Granite Bay dog bite attorney at Triumph Law you can begin the process of your physical and financial recovery. You can use our secure online form to contact us today.