Bakersfield Dog Bite Lawyer

California is a very dog-friendly state, but there are also more dog bite lawsuits filed here than in any other state. Unlike many other states, California does not impose a one-bite rule. This means you do not have to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent or that they knew of the dog’s violent or aggressive tendencies. Still, this does not mean that filing a lawsuit after a dog bite is easy. Below, our Bakersfield dog bite lawyer outlines who is ineligible to file a claim and other important information you should know.

When Can You not Sue for a Dog Bite?

As a strict liability state, most people who are bitten by dogs can file a lawsuit to recover damages. However, this is not true for everyone. If any of the following are true, you are likely ineligible for compensation:

• You provoked the dog,
• You were trespassing on private property,
• The dog was protecting someone else under the state’s self-defense laws, or
• The dog was a police or military canine performing their duties.

Different Levels of Dog Bites

According to the Dunbar Bite Scale, there are six levels of dog bites. These are as follows:

• Level one: Aggression without direct skin contact
• Level two: The teeth make contact with the skin but the skin does not break
• Level three: The dog bit once and left shallow wounds
• Level four: The dog bit once and left deep wounds
• Level five: The dog bit multiple times and left deep wounds
• Level six: The dog consumed flesh or the victim passed away

Regardless of the level of your dog bite, you can file a claim for any losses you suffered unless you are considered ineligible. An experienced dog bite attorney in Bakersfield can help.

What Happens to Dogs That Bite?

Even though dogs can leave victims with serious injuries, people are still often concerned about what will happen to an animal that has bitten or attacked someone. In Irvine, you can report dogs to the Animal Control division of the City of Bakersfield. Doctors are also required to report any dog bite they treat.

Once the county has learned of a dog bite, the dog will be quarantined for ten days. During the quarantine, the dog can remain at the owner’s home or the county Animal Care Center. The quarantine is necessary to determine if the dog has rabies. When a dog bites someone, they are not usually euthanized. The only times a dog is euthanized after a bite is if they have bitten someone on two separate occasions or if the dog was trained to attack, kill, or fight and it bites someone, even if it is just one time.

Our Dog Bite Lawyer in Bakersfield Can Help You Claim Damages

If you have been bitten by a dog, you need sound legal advice. At Brod Law Firm, our Bakersfield dog bite attorney can provide it so you know how to proceed with your claim and so you can obtain the full and fair damages you are entitled to. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.

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