In 2022, almost 50,000 people in California were forced to visit the hospital after becoming a victim of a dog bite or attack. For many of these victims, life will never be the same.
If you or someone you love was harmed by a dog attack, you should know California law provides strong protections for you — but you still need to navigate the legal system to get the money that you deserve after the incident.
Miller & Steele Law Firm is here to help, so give us a call at (760)-439-2210 to find out about the compassionate and knowledgeable legal advocacy we can offer.
Oceanside Dog Bite Law
States take two different approaches to dog bite incidents. In some states, owners can be held accountable for a dog attack only if they were negligent in some way or had reason to know that the animal was aggressive and prone to causing harm. In others, owners are always responsible even with no past history of bad behavior by the dog.
California takes the second approach. As California Civil Code section 3342 explains, “the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
You will not have to prove the owner behaved in an unreasonably careless way or that the dog had bitten or been aggressive in the past, as a result of California’s strict liability laws applied to dog owners. You do have to show the extent of your harm, though, which Miller & Steele can help you to prove.
If you can prove your case, you should be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Wages lost and lost future earning power due to the bite incident and resulting injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Because dog attacks are traumatic, many people experience lasting mental consequences after they are injured by an animal in this manner. You’ll need a knowledgeable attorney who can help you to ensure you are fully compensated for all your losses.
Statute of Limitations for Oceanside Dog Bite Incidents
When you are the victim of a dog attack, you have two years to make your claim based on the statute of limitations established in California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. It’s important you don’t delay too long, otherwise your claim could be time barred and you’d lose your opportunity to recover compensation.
Get Help From An Oceanside Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Dog bite claims are usually paid by a homeowners’ or renters’ insurance company. Insurers have professionals on their team who aim to help companies pay out the lowest amount possible when a claim is made.
You need your own knowledgeable advocate who will fight for you. Contact Miller & Steele Law Firm and give us a call today at (760)-439-2210 to talk with an Oceanside dog bite accident lawyer about the help and support we can offer. Our mission is to ensure you negotiate a fair settlement or get the compensation you deserve in a court of law. Let us get to work for you.