Dog Bites
Bakersfield Dog Bite Lawyers
Suing Dog Owners for Serious Dog Bites
What are you supposed to do after you are badly bitten by someone else’s dog? You can’t exactly sue the dog for damages, so does that mean you can sue the owner? It depends on the details of your case.
To figure out your legal options, come to Fowler | Helsel | Vogt in Bakersfield. Our dog bite attorneys can evaluate your case and let you know if you should pursue a claim against the dog’s owner for compensation. It is our goal to help you get a fair recovery after suffering from a painful and traumatizing dog attack.
Call (559) 900-1280 to learn more.
California Does Not Have a One-Bite Law
When a dog attacks someone in California, there is no “one-bite” rule in place to protect the owner from liability. Instead, the state applies a strict liability rule for dog bite cases. When a dog bites or otherwise hurts someone, the owner can be held strictly liable for the resulting damages, even if they had no idea that the dog would be capable of hurting someone.
You can sue if a dog hurt you by:
- Biting you
- Scratching you
- Pushing you over
- Jumping on you
The strict liability rule for dog bite cases also expands to other animal and pet attacks. For example, you could have the legal grounds to sue someone if their cat violently scratched you, even if the cat had always been kind and gentle with everyone else.
Can You Sue Your Neighbor for a Dog Bite?
You can sue almost anyone for a dog bite, including your neighbor or landlord. Exceptions are only made for military or police dogs who have been instructed to attack you, or if you are bitten while trespassing on private property that displayed warning signs about a dangerous dog on the premises.
Many people are hesitant to sue a neighbor for a dog bite because they don’t want the dog to be put down. In California, there is no law that requires a dog to be destroyed because it attacked someone. More often than not, the dog owner is instructed to place the animal in a training course and/or take extra steps around their property to ensure the dog cannot interact with others without first being leashed. If you want to sue your neighbor for a dog bite but are worried about the dog getting hurt, then we can push for an out-of-court settlement to add to your peace of mind.
What is a Dog Bite Claim Worth?
The value of your dog bite claim should reflect your damages, including past and future economic and non-economic damages. It can also be capped by the limits of the relevant insurance policies. For example, many dog bite claims are technically filed against the owner’s property insurance.
Your dog bite injury claim should seek damages that pay for:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Traumatization
Expert Lawyers Specializing in Dog Bites in the Bakersfield Area
Did you know that Fowler | Helsel | Vogt is one of the most popular resources for dog bite information on the web? We like to support our clients in difficult times any way that we can.
Please schedule a consultation with us to start your case, and then be sure to check out our resources for more information about your situation.
You pay nothing unless we win! Contact us now.
Dog Bite Resources:
Let Us Work on Your Dog Bite Claim
We are passionate about representing the wrongfully injured in our communities. If you have been bitten by a dog in Fresno, then we’re the first firm you should call. Dial (559) 900-1280 to talk about your options.
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$2,000,000
Premises Liability
The client suffered severe injuries to his legs when the 2-story ladder he was climbing (which was affixed to the building), detached causing him to fall approximately 15 feet.
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$975,000
Rear-End Collision
The client was rear-ended by a commercial work truck resulting in serious neck and back injuries. After months of conservative treatment, the client eventually underwent surgical repair to her cervical spine.
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$920,000
Wrongful Death
FHV filed a lawsuit against a local agribusiness on behalf of the father and dependents of a young man whose life was cut short following the release of ammonia gas from the company's refrigeration equipment.
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$750,000
Rear-End Collision
Multiple Car Pile Up Results in $750,000 Recovery for Client.
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$650,000
Burn Injury
The driver suffered severe burns due to a salvaged vehicle catching on fire. Settled to the plaintiff for damages.
