Irvine Dog Bite Lawyer

The city of Irvine, as throughout the rest of California, abides by strict liability laws when it comes to dog bites. Essentially, these laws stipulate that dog owners are liable for a bite even if the dog had never bitten anyone before and if the owner was not aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies. If you have been bitten, you must only show that the bite happened on public property or while you were legally on private property. Still, filing a dog bite claim can become quite complicated. Below, our Irvine dog bite lawyer explains more about these legal actions.

A dog bite or attack can result in some of the most serious injuries. These are also often unique from other types of personal injuries. The most common dog bite injuries include:

• Abrasions: Abrasions are really just scrapes on the skin. They are usually minor injuries, do not result in excessive bleeding, and heal on their own. However, these scrapes and scratches can easily become infected, so they still require medical treatment.
• Lacerations: A laceration is a deep tear or cut in the skin. A laceration will extend past the epidermis and can damage muscles, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. A laceration can cause extensive bleeding, and stitches are usually required to close the wound.
• Punctures: Punctures are holes in the skin left by a dog’s teeth. They are generally smaller than lacerations, but they are much deeper. As such, they are more prone to becoming infected, so seeking medical treatment is essential.

The injuries sustained during a dog bite or attack are not always only physical. Mental injuries can be suffered during a dog bite, as well. For example, a victim may develop a fear of the animal even when they previously loved dogs.

Without fully examining the facts of your case, no one can determine how much your claim is worth. Reach out to a dog bite attorney in Irvine to discuss your specific case.

Still, you can file a claim for any damages, or losses, you suffered. The most common types of damages pursued in dog bite claims are as follows:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages if you cannot return to work right away
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium

Punitive damages, which are meant to punish dog owners instead of compensating accident victims, are sometimes available in these cases, but they are rare. Punitive damages are only awarded when the dog owner’s behavior is particularly egregious.

If you have been bitten by a dog, you should not have to pay for the cost of medical treatment, physical therapy, and other losses. At Brod Law Firm, our Irvine dog bite attorney has the necessary experience with these types of cases to help ensure that you receive the maximum compensation that is justly yours. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more about how we can help.