Dog Bite
Attorney
in Sacramento

Dog Bite Attorney in Sacramento

We all love animals, but the truth is dogs bite. When they do, serious personal injuries can result, including surgeries, scarring and post-traumatic fright. If you’ve been a victim of a dog bite or animal attack we recommend consulting with a reputable animal attack & dog bite attorney. We help you recover from the ordeal by investigating the facts, determining insurance coverage, and obtaining the maximum result of monetary damages for pain, suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

As a victim of an animal attack or dog bite in California, you’re able to pursue compensation for your injuries. It’s important to work with a qualified and experienced attorney that will navigate the state and local dog laws in your favor.

Is a Lawyer Right for You?

If you feel your injuries are severe enough, I suggest taking advantage of my FREE case evaluation. Let’s discuss the incident and your injuries to determine what your options are. With any animal attack incident, there are various steps that need to be taken in order to collect compensation for you.

Call me to schedule a FREE case evaluation about your injuries that occurred as the result of an animal attack or dog bite.

With over a decade of experience in animal attacks & dog bite cases, I have the experience to pursue legal compensation on your behalf. A personal injury attorney in Sacramento you can trust.

Most Common Injuries From Dog Bites & Animal Attacks in Sacramento

• Broken Bones
• Lacerations
• Puncture Wounds
• Crush Injuries
• Internal Injuries
• Scarring & Disfigurement
• Infections
• Muscle & Tissue Damage
• Post Traumatic Stress

Benefits of Hiring A Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer

• I take on the stress of dealing with the insurance company so you can focus on healing from your injuries
• I know how to negotiate with the insurance companies
• I will give you peace of mind
• I know all the laws that apply to your rights and responsibilities when you are injured due to someone else’s negligence

Can You Sue for a Dog Bite?

The fact that you were bitten is horrifying. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can bring a lawsuit.

Fortunately, California has a dog bite law on the books that is very friendly for victims. It is a strict liability statute, which means you don’t need to provide evidence that the owner was negligent. You don’t even need to show the dog had a prior history of aggressive behavior.

Instead, under Civil Code § 3342, the dog owner is liable to anyone bitten in public or while lawfully on private property. You are lawfully on the property when you have a legal duty to be there or you are a postal worker. Others are legally on the property if they were invited by the owner.

This law is very generous. For example, you might have been attacked by a dog on the sidewalk. Under the law, you can make a claim for compensation so long as you were not provoking or attacking the dog first. You might also have been bitten when a guest at someone’s house. All you need to show is that the dog bit you, and you can request compensation.

We can also bring a negligence claim in some situations. Since the dog bite statute only applies to dog owners, it won’t help if you want to sue a landlord or kennel. If we can show they were insufficiently careful, we can seek compensation.

Dog Bite Settlements

Many people wonder how much their case is worth. According to recent statistics, the average dog bite settlement for 2021 was just over $49,000. Remember that this is only an average number. We need to look closely at the facts of your case to see how much you can receive.

If you suffered extensive wounds, then you will probably receive a larger settlement. The same is true if you suffered scarring or need facial reconstructive surgery. The emotional trauma of a dog bite attack warrants significant compensation.

Attorney Azemika is a skilled negotiator. He can file a claim with the dog owner’s insurer or sue the owner personally in court. Many dog owners have renters or homeowner’s insurance, which can pay a dog bite settlement. But some insurers exclude certain dogs or dog breeds, like pit bulls, so we analyze any insurance policy to see if it will provide coverage. Work closely with our legal team to better understand your rights.

What to Do after a Dog Bite

These are very serious injuries. Dogs can deeply wound a person with their teeth. Your first priority is to get away from the dog and then to stop the bleeding. You might need to press a clean towel or piece of cloth to the wound. Apply strong pressure until the bleeding stops. Call an ambulance or have someone take you to the emergency room.

Some bites look superficial, and you might not see much blood. However, looks can be deceiving. Dogs have dozens of germs circulating in their mouths, and any one of them could enter your bloodstream through a puncture wound and lead to infection. Wash even a shallow dog bite with warm water and soap before heading to the hospital.

How Dog Owners Defend Themselves

We wish dog owners would take the high road and pay a quick settlement for fair compensation. Sadly, many of them deny liability and might argue:

• You were harassing or attacking the dog. They might even allege you accidentally stepped on the dog’s tail, which triggered the animal into attacking you.
• You were not bitten. The statute only covers dog bites, not dog attacks. But we can bring a negligence action if you were injured when a dog jumped on you.
• You were trespassing. You might not have had permission to be on the property. But permission can be implied or express. For example, your neighbor might have ordered crafts from your home business and told you her address. That is an invitation to deliver them to her door.
• You waited too long to sue. California law gives you a maximum of two years to file a lawsuit in court. Please contact our firm quickly so you don’t go past this deadline.

These and other defenses are common. Our clients benefit from our deep knowledge of personal injury law. We can push back and show quite clearly that you deserve compensation.

Contact Our Sacramento Dog Bite Attorney Today

Dog attacks are terrifying. Young children might be so traumatized they need psychological counseling, but even adults can spend months recovering from a dog bite. For assistance with your legal claim, give us a call to schedule a consultation.