Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer

Sacramento is a dog-friendly city that provides numerous parks where owners can spend time outdoors with their canine companions. But, the joy of a day in the park can turn into a nightmare if a dog attack occurs. Many scenarios can stem from negligent dog owners who fail to take preventative measures, like restricting the animal from harming others or providing adequate training to maintain behavioral issues.

Dog bite victims are expected to endure physical and emotional trauma no matter how deep the bite goes. Recovery will require short- or long-term care depending on the extent of the injury. During this process, financial hardships may arise due to treatment costs. If you find yourself in such a situation, you should know what your legal rights and options are. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Sacramento dog bite attorneys understand the city’s local laws and can guide you through the legal process to ensure you are given full and fair compensation.

To schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our quick online contact form.

What Is Considered a Dangerous Dog?

Under California Food and Agricultural Code (Section 31601-31683), a dog may be considered dangerous if it meets any of the following conditions:

• The dog bit and harmed a person or domestic animal
• Numerous injuries have been caused by the same dog
• The dog attacked without provocation

Once the dog has been identified as dangerous, the pet owner will need to comply with various legal obligations, like getting the dog registered with local authorities and having it wear a muzzle when out in public.

Dangerous dogs will also be subject to certain restrictions, including housing requirements. Owners must have the animal confined in a secure enclosure, meaning that they will need to set up a fenced yard or kennel that prevents it from having access to children or unauthorized parties. Warning signs should also be placed around the property to notify others that a dangerous dog is present.

Dog Bite Statistics

Within the past few years, dog bites have contributed to an estimate of 48,600 emergency room visits in California. The rate of hospital admissions has doubled when comparing the years between 2006 to 2022. Even though fatalities rarely occur, the death rate increased by nearly 70 percent, with a total of 28 deaths reported from 2018 to 2022. It has been reported that much of the blame for bites has been put on pit bulls as they remain as one of the most popular dog breeds in America.

California Dog Bite Laws

California is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bite cases. Below, you will find a list of rules and regulations that have been established to maintain a safe space for residents and visitors.

• Dog victims are not required to prove the owner’s negligence
• Strict liability law will be applicable if the incident took place while in a public place or lawfully on private property
• Dog bite victims must report the attack to the county’s Department of Animal Care and Regulation
• A dog owner is liable for any injuries caused by their pet, regardless of whether they exhibited aggressive behavior in the past

The only exceptions that could possibly relieve the dog owner from facing liability include the following:

• The dog bite victim was trespassing or was unlawfully on private property
• The dog was provoked to attack
• The dog was acting in self-defense to protect its owner from potential danger
• The dog was working with police or military forces

Common Dog Bite Injuries 

A dog bite injury can vary depending on the intensity of the attack and what body part sustained damage. Some of the most common outcomes include the following:

• Broken bones
• Puncture wounds
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Lacerations and tearing

Not only are you expected to sustain physical pain, but you could also develop psychological trauma from the dog attack, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What to Do After a Dog Bite

After a dog bite, it is crucial that you take quick action to protect your health and ensure your legal rights. Below, we have shared key aspects that can help guide you through the aftermath of the attack effectively.

Contact Local Animal Control Agency or Authorities

If you or a loved one have been bitten by an aggressive dog, one of the first things you should do is to contact your local animal control or public health authorities to report the dog bite. This will help ensure the dog is being handled by professionals and that records are available for you to use in case you need to take legal action against the owner.

Identify the Dog Owner

Speak to the dog owner and acquire their name and contact information. You will need these details to seek compensation for any damages you incurred as a result of the attack, like medical expenses and lost wages.

Seek Medical Attention

Be sure to act immediately after the incident. Delaying medical attention can increase the risk of infection, even for minor bites. You should schedule a follow up with a doctor to get the wounded area evaluated, especially if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown. All visits, medical prescriptions, and/or surgical procedures will be saved on file and can be used as reference and evidence if needed.

Gather Evidence

Try to take photos of your injuries and where the dog attack took place. Do not forget to get the pet owner’s contact information, dog vaccination records, and witness details. You should also get a copy of your medical records to use as proof that you did, in fact, sustain dog bite injuries and sought out professional care to get it treated.

Consult with a Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer

If you sustained a serious injury and wish to file a claim to recover damages, you can consult with a Sacramento dog bite lawyer to get insight on how to handle the situation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we will evaluate the evidence provided to determine what potential compensation you could be entitled to under strict liability laws. From there, we will aggressively pursue legal action on your behalf to ensure you are granted a reasonable settlement.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?

Dog bite claims in Sacramento must be filed within two years from the date of when the attack occurred. It is important to act quickly to make sure you have enough evidence and the right legal representative on your side. Failing to file your dog bite lawsuit prior to the deadline will revoke your opportunity to sue the responsible party.

Can I Still Sue if I’m Partly At Fault for the Dog Bite?

Under California law, you can still recover compensation even if you are found partially at fault. However, it will be reduced based on your degree of fault. So, if you are somewhat responsible for provoking the dog to bite you, your compensation will be adjusted accordingly. In some cases, if you are primarily responsible for causing the dog bite to occur, whether through instigation or intense provocation, then you will not be able to recover any damages for the bite. 

How Much Money Can I Get From a Dog Bite?

The value of a dog bite case will vary depending on what unique challenges are involved. The court will consider the following when determining what you should be owed:

• The extent of your dog bite injury
• Current and future medical bills
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Percentage of fault

To learn what you may be entitled to, you can use our personal injury settlement calculator to estimate potential compensation by inputting what expenses you sustained due to the dog attack. Generally speaking, most victims will be able to receive economic damages and non-economic damages in such a case. On rare occasions, punitive damages could also be presented, but that is reserved in extremely rare and severe circumstances.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are calculable financial losses that you can recover for a certain value. In the case of dog bites, unexpected costs such as hospital fees and lost wages are some of the most common damages that can be recovered.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages refer to compensation awarded for non-monetary losses, such as:

• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar behavior from happening again in the future. It is given in about 5 percent of verdicts. To receive punitive damages, you will need to provide clear and convincing proof that the defendant acted with malice, fraud, or oppression.

Our Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyers Are Here to Help

Dog bite victims are encouraged to sue the liable party to seek compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we are readily available to offer professional guidance, ensuring you have the support needed to navigate through your lawsuit successfully and acquire favorable results. As a personal injury law firm, we handle every case the utmost care and respect that it deserves and with over $1.6 billion of financial compensation won for our clients, our attorneys are confident that they can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

To schedule a free consultation with a Sacramento dog bite attorney, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our convenient online contact form.