Santa Ana Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites can result in significant physical pain or emotional trauma. This often requires victims to seek medical attention, and in severe cases, could lead to issues that may require long-term treatment. Acquiring such care can be costly, but if the attack was triggered by a negligent dog owner, you can sue them to recover damages.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Santa Ana dog bite lawyers have over 20 years of experience in handling personal injury cases and a successful track record of delivering client satisfaction. Due to our ongoing achievements, we are confident that our team will provide quality services that will meet your legal needs and get you full compensation. 

We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and our attorneys will continue to do their duty to give their clients the legal representation they need in order to be made whole. As personal injury claims can be a confusing and complex process, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your case, our 24/7 legal team will be there every step of the way.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing until we settle your case in your favor. To schedule a free consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or filling out our easy online contact form.

California Dog Bite Law

Under California’s strict liability law (Civil Code Section 3342), dog owners may be held responsible for damages if their pet bites an individual while on public property or lawfully on private property. They will be found liable regardless of whether they knew about the animal’s tendencies or if it exhibited aggressive conduct in the past.

However, accountability may not fall on them if either of the following apply:

• The victim trespassed onto private property
• The victim provoked the dog
• The victim interacted with the animal after being warned about its violent behavior

What Can Cause a Dog Bite?

A dog bite can be triggered by several factors. These are often associated with the animal’s behavior, environment, and what particular actions are committed by people who are near it. Below, we have listed common causes that may influence the canine to attack.

• The dog was scared or threatened by you
• The dog wanted to protect its owner
• The dog has aggressive tendencies
• The dog was provoked to bite you

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Bodily harm after a dog bite can range from minor to severe depending on how deep the animal sunk its teeth into your skin. Some common injuries that are likely to occur include the following:

• Broken bones
• Puncture wounds
• Nerve damage
• Scarring
• Disfigurement

What to Do After a Dog Bite

Dog bites can happen when you least expect it to, which is why it is important to know what to do after getting attacked to protect your safety and your rights.

Call Your Local Animal Control

If you are bitten by a dog in Orange County, you will be required to report it regardless of whether it was from a domestic or wild animal. Under Orange County Codified Ordinance 4-1-62 Duty to Report, you must reach out to the Director of your local animal control facility. Quick action is encouraged to help implement safety measures to ensure a series of attacks do not occur by the same animal.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately After the Attack

You should seek medical attention soon after a dog bite. The physician will evaluate the wounded area, diagnose the condition, and provide a personalized treatment plan to help you recover. If you fail to do this in a timely manner, your dog bite injury can get infected and progressively worsen over time. In addition, the opposing side may argue that it was not as serious as you claimed or it could have been caused by something else.

Collect Evidence

Be sure to collect the following evidence:

• Pictures of your injury and where dog attack occurred
• Witness information
• A copy of your bite reporting form and medical records

Acquire the Dog Owner’s Contact Information

You should ask the dog owner for their name and contact information. It is also important to acquire details about the dog, like its name and vaccination history.

Hire a Santa Ana Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog bite lawsuit will involve challenging factors that can overwhelm you, especially if you are trying to handle it on your own. But, if you choose to hire one of our Santa Ana dog bite lawyers to assist you, we will work on the difficult tasks while you focus on healing from your dog bite injuries. Our team will fight tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you get maximum compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite?

To determine liability in a dog bite case, you should present your evidence to a personal injury law firm, like West Coast Trial Lawyers. Our Santa Ana dog bite attorneys will evaluate the information provided and identify the at fault party. Potential defendants in a dog bite claim may include the dog owner, sitter, or walker.

Wrongful Death From Dog Bites

Severe dog bites can lead to wrongful deaths. Given the circumstance, the decedent’s estate or surviving family members may sue the responsible party. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must show how:

• The defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased victim
• The defendant breached their duty of care
• The defendant’s reckless behavior caused the victim’s death

Under California law, only one wrongful death lawsuit can be filed to prevent multiple submissions from delaying the legal process. Available damages in such a case may include the following:

• Medical bills
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of consortium

How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Santa Ana?

According to section 335.1 of California’s Code of Civil Procedure, you are given two years starting from the date of when the incident occurred to file a dog bite lawsuit. If you fail to submit your claim before the deadline, you will no longer be qualified to pursue compensation against the liable party. However, under certain circumstances, the statute of limitations can be tolled. For instance, if the defendant is a minor or is out-of-state, the time limit will pause and start again once the reason has ended.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Dog Bite Case?

Available damages in dog bite cases will vary for all plaintiffs due to the unique factors associated with each particular situation. To determine what amount you should be owed, the following will be considered:

• The extent of your injury
• Lost income and earning capacity
• The amount of negligence contributed by each side

Generally, economic damages and non-economic damages are awarded. In rare cases, punitive damages may also be included.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are calculable financial expenses you incurred as a result of the dog bite. So costs such as medical bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, or lost wages are all things that can be financially recovered for a fixed amount.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are subjective, non-monetary losses that will vary on a case-by-case basis. For example, things such as emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering are all subjective by nature and will vary based on the person and the severity of the accident. 

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are added on top of compensatory damages to punish the wrongdoer for committing egregious behavior and to prevent others from performing similar conduct in the future. It is granted in about 5% of verdicts. To obtain punitive damages, you will need to prove how the defendant exhibited malice, fraud, or intentional harm.

Our Santa Ana Dog Bite Lawyers Are Here to Help

If you were harmed by a dog due to the owner’s negligence, you may file a lawsuit against them to acquire compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our knowledgeable Santa Ana team will support you through each stage of the legal process to ensure you get a fair settlement. With over $1.6 billion in financial compensation recovered for our clients, our team of attorneys will continue to do their duty to give clients the legal representation they need and watch out for their best interests. 

To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced dog bite attorneys, you can reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our quick online contact form.