Dog bites aren’t just painful. They can leave victims with serious, or even life-threatening, injuries. And if you are unfortunate enough to suffer a dog bite injury, you deserve justice for what happened.
That’s where the May Firm can assist. Our dog bite lawyers are waiting to help. Call or email us now to schedule a meeting to discuss your case. But in the meantime, here’s what you should know about dog bites, California law, and your legal rights.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries are complex. This is unsurprising – after all, no two incidents are the same. The most common types of dog bite injuries, though, are:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Visible teeth marks on the skin
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage e.g. muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Wound infections
- Bone injuries
Although uncommon, some dog bites can lead to rabies infections. Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal infection. If there is any concern that you were bitten by a rabid dog, you must seek urgent medical attention.
Common Causes of Dog Bites
There’s no one reason why dog bites happen. However, dogs typically bite for the following reasons:
- Feeling startled or scared
- Being in physical pain e.g. due to injury
- Guarding puppies or family members
- Territorial behavior
- Possessiveness e.g. food aggression
- Lack of social skills
- Overzealous playful behavior
Dog bites can happen seemingly out of nowhere. Even older dogs with no history of aggression could bite another dog or human.
What Dog Has the Strongest Bite?
The strongest the bite, the more likely the victim is to experience severe injury. This is due to the force, or pressure, applied as the dog bites down.
But which dog has the strongest bite? This would be the Turkish Kangal.
The Kangal is the strongest dog in the world, so it’s unsurprising that it has such an alarming bite strength. Although known, typically, as gentle dogs that make great family pets, the risks must be taken seriously.
Even if a dog does not have a “strong” bite, all dog bites can potentially leave serious injuries. If you are bitten by any dog, no matter how small, you deserve to explore possible legal rights to compensation.
California Dog Bite Laws
Luckily, California law on dog bites is simple. A dog owner is strictly liable if their dog:
- Bites someone who lawfully enters the owner’s private property; or
- Bites a member of the public in a public space.
In other words, it doesn’t matter if a dog is normally friendly. If a dog bites someone in California, the owner is always responsible.
What to Do with a Dog That Bites Their Owner
If the owner is the only injured party, then it’s up to the owner to decide what should happen to their dog. It’s unlikely that anything will happen to the dog without the owner’s consent.
What if a dog bites its owner and another person? The owner can still be held liable for the other person’s injuries. Our canine lawyers can discuss how to proceed in such situations.
Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries
You can claim compensation for losses including medical bills and lost income if you can prove:
- A dog bit you
- Someone owns the dog
- You have injuries due to the dog bite incident
In some cases, it may also be possible to claim workers’ compensation, should you be bitten on the job. Our team can explain who you can sue and how to recover compensation.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury in California
After a dog bite injury, it’s crucial to know how to respond – and how to treat a dog bite. Take the following action after any dog attack in CA.
- Take pictures or videos of the dog and your injuries.
- Get medical attention. Not only does this help prove what happened, but it helps to prevent wound infections.
- Check for witnesses. If they’re happy to provide contact information, they could support your claim.
- Even if the owner is present, report the incident to animal control.
You should also contact a dog bite attorney from the May Firm. We will walk you through the claims process and help you secure the damages you deserve.
How to Prevent Dog Bites
While we can’t prevent every dog bite, you can reduce your risk by:
- Keeping a distance from a growling or barking dog
- Avoiding running away from a dog
- Staying calm around an aggressive dog
- Teaching children never to pet or grab unfamiliar animals
- Leaving a dog alone if it has puppies or it is sleeping
How to Train a Dog Not to Bite
It’s a dog owner’s responsibility to train a dog to act safely. And although dogs sometimes bite for reasons we can’t understand, you can train a dog to behave less aggressively.
- If a puppy bites during playtime, don’t react. Turn away and show no response. Any response, even raising your voice, teaches the puppy that biting gets attention!
- Consider obedience training. Obedience training gives a dog structure and order, which can help keep them calm.
- If your dog growls, don’t stop them. Instead, try to find what triggers the behavior. Knowing what triggers your dog can stop them biting seemingly without warning.
- Make sure to socialize your dog. A well-socialized dog is less likely to panic around strangers, new dogs, or in different situations.
Why You Need an Experienced California Dog Bite Lawyer
Do you really need a personal injury lawyer for dog bites? Absolutely. Your lawyer will:
- Ensure you know your legal rights
- Identify who to sue for compensation
- Explain how much your case is truly worth
- Negotiate the fairest possible settlement
Ultimately, you deserve to focus on recovery right now. Let your dog bite injury lawyer handle negotiations while you concentrate on moving forward. As you heal, we can file a dog bite claim on your behalf.
Free Consultation with a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney
Dog bite incidents can be distressing, and, in some cases, they result in severe injury. In all cases, though, you deserve to know your legal rights. No matter the circumstances of your injury, call the May Firm to discuss your case.
We care about what happened to you. To us, clients are family. And we will do everything we can to secure you the damage you deserve.
Talk to us about your dog bite injury today. Our San Diego dog bite lawyers don’t charge anything unless we win your case, so you have nothing to lose. Call now or complete our online form to schedule a free, no-obligation meeting.
