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CALIFORNIA DOG BITE
ATTORNEYS

OUR FIRM HAS RECOVERED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR DOG BITE VICTIMS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA.

25+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

When you hire us, you’re adding unmatched experience to your team, ensuring you get the best possible outcome.

99% WIN RATE

Our firm maintains an impressive 99% win rate, even while accepting difficult cases other law firms have turned away.

NO UPFRONT FEES

We are not afraid of trial, and insurance companies know this. If it’s in your best interest,
we are always trial ready.

California Dog Bite Lawyers

Our California dog bite lawyers at the May Firm love all kinds of animals, especially dogs. But we also understand that being bitten by one can have permanent consequences. If you’ve sustained an injury from a dog bite, call us for a free case consultation. Using your testimony and evidence, we’ll re-create the incident and identify potential causes leading up to the bite that will strengthen your case and earn you a settlement.

Payment for our services is on a contingency fee basis, meaning we’re only financially compensated if your settlement is won.

Once you hire our office, our California personal injury attorneys can arrange medical treatment (commonly plastic surgeons) along with physical and psychological therapy for you by doctors who work on a lien basis.

This means you don’t pay until your case is closed, so no time is wasted in getting you the medical help you need to start your recovery. We’re able to create such partnerships to offer these services because of our case-proven record of success.

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“If I ever need a lawyer again, I’m calling the May Firm. I was rear ended and had a ton of bills. They told me what my rights were and that they would take care of me. All I had to do was get to physical therapy. They did everything, and I ended up with a very nice settlement and a new car. Thank you! You exceeded my expectations!”

AMANDA ALLEN

Truck Accident

“A friendly and professional firm. Always answered questions quickly. Highly recommended to anyone who needs a personal injury lawyer. Extremely satisfied with the outcome.”

linda hughes

Car Accident

“The staff was friendly and very helpful throughout my entire case. Sienna stood out with her great customer service and help. I would recommend The May Firm to anyone looking for a personal injury attorney.”

Natalie Garcia

Bicycle Accident

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE BITTEN BY A DOG

The first thing to do if bitten by a dog is to seek medical attention. Even if the dog’s teeth or claws did not break the skin, other injuries can be sustained, like bruises to both bone and muscle or even a sprain, in an attempt to fight off the animal. Seeing a medical professional is obviously important for health reasons, but it also helps strengthen your case should legal action be taken.

If the skin is broken, dog teeth will often cause a puncture wound. WebMD suggests placing a clean towel over the wound to stop any bleeding, keeping the area elevated, and washing it with soap and water. Dogs’ mouths can harbor a lot of bacteria, so keeping the wound clean and sterile is of the utmost importance. Redness, swelling, warmth, or pus are all signs of infection and should be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible. Those with certain pre-existing health conditions, like diabetes or liver disease, may be at a greater risk for disease.

The American Red Cross warns against chasing down or trying to capture the dog that bit you; a captured dog will most likely become frightened and attempt to fight its way to freedom. If the dog is one you do not know, it is important to get tested for diseases like rabies. The best chance of surviving rabies is if a vaccine is administered before signs of illness are apparent.

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CHILDREN AND DOG ATTACKS

According to safetyarounddogs.org, dog bites are the second most common cause for emergency room visits among nine activities common with children. The CDC shows that the odds of a dog bite happening to a child are 3.2 to 1. Although around 81% of dog bites that occur to the general population leave little or no injury, it’s still very important to keep an eye on small children when they’re around canines, even if it is a family pet.

Safetyarounddogs.org notes that children being unsupervised greatly increases the risk of an attack, and they give some useful information that stresses the importance of adult supervision in keeping children safe:

ESTABLISHING FAULT

After being attacked, exchange information with the dog’s owner if they are present and you are able to. Most circumstances that involve a dog attack will also include other witnesses, and it would be wise to collect their information as well, if they are willing to share it. Testimonials from other people who saw the attack help to serve as secondary accounts of what you and your attorney will allege happened. The May Firm will use any information available to call witnesses as well as capture a police animal control report from the authorities if they’re involved to make sure the account of the attack is accurate. Accurate reports, accounts, and testimony strengthen your case and increase your chance of getting a fair settlement. California is a strict liability state, but, the issue in dog bite cases is often proving ownership of the animal, locating the owner, and confirming insurance information and the assets of the owner of the animal.

“Rob May and his team achieved over and above what I ever anticipated. I am thankful I found them, and I hold them in the highest esteem. Should you ever need a conscientious and diligent personal injury lawyer, I strongly recommend Robert May. He’s awesome. Thanks, guys, for your patience and professionalism. You rock!”

JEANNE MELLO

Dog bite & attack

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions we’re asked about dog bite injury
claims in California.

We are California dog bite attorneys, and we know dog attacks leave more than physical scars. Being attacked by a dog is a frightening experience that stays with the victim for the rest of their life. The California dog bite attorneys at the May Firm have represented victims of dog bites and dog attacks for years.

Dog Bite Attorney in California
In California, dog bite injuries or dog attacks is one of the most common personal injury accidents that take place. In the event that you get bitten by a dog, it is advised that you hire the services of a personal lawyer at the May Firm as soon as possible. This is a very important step, especially if you want monetary compensation and medical attention. Even if you are sufficiently covered, there are some insurance companies that may take advantage of your lack of experience regarding California dog bite laws so they do not have to compensate you appropriately.

This is where the California personal injury lawyers at the May Firm will come in handy as they will be able to argue out your case and compel the insurance firms to compensate you for your injuries and losses. The statistics speak for themselves. Residents who have sought legal services from the California personal injury attorneys at the May Firm have won their legal battles with insurance firms, and they have been compensated. If you have suffered from a dog bite injury and have been searching for a law firm in California, call the May Firm for a free consultation.

Find a California Dog Attack Lawyer
A dog bite injury lawyer is well versed in the laws of California. When hiring such lawyers, their legal and educational background are very important and should be considered. For instance, it does not make sense to hire a personal injury lawyer whose record is lacking as far as the representation of his/her previous clients. Our attorneys have represented those attacked at California dog beaches, bitten walking down State Street, and just taking a walk in their own neighborhood.

You never know when a dangerous animal will attack, and it is difficult to know what to do after the attack. The dog bite attorneys at the May Firm have tremendous experience and success representing dog attack victims. If your dog bite attorney advocates for you effectively, you are likely to get more monetary compensation as a result of the dog bite that you endured in California.

If you have recently been the victim of an animal attack, there is very little time to act in order to receive full compensation for your injuries. California state law has very specific laws dedicated to the liability for owners of dogs who inflict injuries on other people.

California Dog Bite Injury Law
California civil code directly states that the owner of a dog that inflicts damages is liable for the damages that are suffered by the person who is bitten as long as the attack happened in a public place or the individual that suffered damages was attacked while he or she was lawfully in a private place.

This private place can be a residence, a business, or anywhere else that a person is allowed into. Liability for the dog bite is still placed on the owner, regardless of any prior aggression shown by the animal. Even if the dog hasn’t bitten anyone before, the owner of the animal is still liable to pay for the damages inflicted upon the other person.

In addition to direct attacks, dogs can cause other types of damages to people. For example, if a dog were to run out in front of a vehicle on the road and the animal ran the vehicle off the road, the owner of the dog would be liable to pay for any damages to the vehicle, damage caused by the vehicle, and damages caused to the driver’s health.

The first thing to do if bitten by a dog is to seek medical attention. Even if the dog’s teeth or claws did not break the skin, other injuries can be sustained, like bruises to both bone and muscle or even a sprain, in an attempt to fight off the animal. Seeing a medical professional is obviously important for health reasons, but it also helps strengthen your case should legal action be taken.

If the skin is broken, dog teeth will often cause a puncture wound. WebMD suggests placing a clean towel over the wound to stop any bleeding, keeping the area elevated, and washing it with soap and water. Dogs’ mouths can harbor a lot of bacteria, so keeping the wound clean and sterile is of the utmost importance. Redness, swelling, warmth, or pus are all signs of infection and should be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible. Those with certain pre-existing health conditions, like diabetes, or liver disease may be at a greater risk for disease.

The American Red Cross warns against chasing down or trying to capture the dog that bit you; a captured dog will most likely become frightened and attempt to fight its way to freedom. If the dog is one you do not know, it is important to get tested for diseases like rabies. The best chance of surviving rabies is if a vaccine is administered before signs of illness are apparent.

After being attacked, exchange information with the dog’s owner if they are present and you are able to. Most circumstances that involve a dog attack will also include other witnesses, and it would be wise to collect their information as well, if they are willing to share it. Testimonials from other people who saw the attack help to serve as secondary accounts of what you and your attorney will allege happened. The May Firm will use any information available to call witnesses as well as capture a police animal control report from the authorities if they’re involved to make sure the account of the attack is accurate.

Accurate reports, accounts, and testimony strengthen your case and increase your chance of getting a fair settlement. California is a strict liability state, and, the issue in dog bite cases is often proving ownership of the animal, locating the owner, and confirming insurance information and the assets of the owner of the animal.

California is one of the states that makes dog owners strictly liable when their dogs cause injuries (under Civil Code section 3342). Although fatalities are rare, a dog bite can result in hospitalization, lost income due to lost time from work, emotional trauma, and pain.

If you have been bitten by a dog, you can file a personal injury claim within two years of the actual date of the dog bite. In California, if your claim is more than $7,500, you will need to file a proper lawsuit in a California Superior Court. Claims less than $7,500 can be filed in the California Small Claims Court that has jurisdiction.

The state of California has clearly written laws set out on the liability of owners when their dog attacks an individual. The owner of a dog that attacks an individual is fully responsible for the actions of the dog, and although there was once a rule that stated that each dog had a “one free bite” pass, meaning that a dog that has never previously shown aggression toward people or other animals or a dog that has never previously attacked someone has a free pass on the first occasion that this happens, this rule has since been revoked. This line becomes somewhat blurry, however, when the dog is in the care of a non-owner, such as a pet sitter or dog walker, and then attacks another individual.

California civil code currently has a statute that protects non-owners from being liable for the actions of the dog. A non-owner is anyone that was overseeing the care of the dog when the dog attack occurred but is not the owner of the animal. Since there are so many situations in which a dog attack can occur, the state decided to pass a statute to protect non-owners from being held liable in the event of a dog attack. A “keeper,” or anyone that is watching the dog for the owner, is not liable to pay for the damages and related costs that the dog inflicts upon another human being as long as the keeper is aware of the past history of aggression that the dog has and has taken the necessary precautions to avoid a situation in which someone could potentially be injured. These precautions include special dog collars to keep the dog from running off and hurting someone and an understanding of any potential harm that the dog could cause.

Since non-owners are not held liable for the dog attack, the damages must be paid by the owner of the animal. Non-owners that have taken the necessary precautions to avoid harming anyone are not held responsible for the attack in any way and are therefore able to avoid paying for the damages and related costs.

In addition, if the injured party was not lawfully in the residence of a non-owner and the dog attacked them, this is seen as an act of defense. Neither the non-owner nor the owner pays for the damages caused in this case, as an act of defense is not seen as an attack.

CALL US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

If you or a loved one has suffered an attack from a dog, call us at (866) 619-6679 to set up a consultation to see if you have a case. Speaking with us won’t cost you anything, and we’ll be able to help determine what your next steps should be.

We only take payment if a case is won, and most of our cases settle out of court, which gives you faster access to resources for your recovery. Like many Californians, we’re dog lovers, but we know what an emotionally traumatic experience getting attacked by a dog can be. Don’t let your emotional and physical healing process drag out into a long, painful ordeal. Our team of lawyers has the knowledge and experience to help you recuperate funds from missed work and medical bills. Our goal is to help you get your life back to normal as quickly as possible while fighting for the proper settlement amount owed to you. Contact us to get started.

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