Santa Cruz Dog Bite Lawyer

Most people have heard that dogs are man’s best friend, but sadly, that is not always the case. Dogs are unpredictable, and they can go from being loving animals one minute to vicious ones the next. Sadly, dog bites and attacks are not uncommon in Santa Cruz, and when they occur, victims are left with some of the most debilitating injuries. Victims will sustain physical injuries during this type of attack, but they will also suffer from mental and emotional losses, as well. Permanent scarring and disfigurement, as well as a new fear of dogs, are just some of these losses. If you have been hurt by a dog, you can file a claim against the dog owner. Unlike in other personal injury cases, you do not even have to prove the dog owner was negligent. Still, it is important to work with a Santa Cruz dog bite lawyer who can help with your claim.

There is no legal requirement that you work with a Santa Cruz dog bite lawyer when filing your claim. However, there have been many studies that show dog bite victims who work with an attorney are more likely to recover a more favorable settlement than those who do not. A lawyer can help with your claim in a number of ways, such as:

• Obtaining witness statements that support your claim
• Collecting evidence to corroborate your claim
• Determining who owns the dog or who was in control of the animal at the time
• Collecting important medical reports and records
• Confirming the incident was reported to the appropriate animal control authorities and collecting any relevant report
• Communicating with the insurer on your behalf

Essentially, an attorney will take care of every legal detail of your claim and make sure your rights and best interests are always protected.

Unlike other types of personal injury cases, determining who is liable for a dog bite does not rely on proving negligence. California is a strict liability dog bite state, which means you only have to prove a dog bit you and that someone else is to blame. In many cases, the person responsible for the animal is the owner, but that is not always the case.

Anyone who was in control of the dog at the time can be held liable for a bite or attack. For example, if a dog walker was controlling the animal at the time of injury, they can be held liable for paying damages. Landlords can also be held liable if the bite or attack happened on community property or if they knew the dog was dangerous.

One of the biggest benefits of working with a dog bite lawyer in Santa Cruz is that they will be able to determine who is liable for your injuries.

If you have been injured, do not take a chance by filing a claim on your own. At Brod Law Firm, our Santa Cruz dog bite lawyer has the necessary experience to help you obtain the full and fair settlement you deserve. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or fill out our online form to schedule a free review of your case.