Anaheim Dog Bites Lawyer
Bitten by a dog in Anaheim? Golden Gate Legal's experienced dog bite attorneys can help you understand your rights and fight for fair compensation.
The aftermath of a dog bite can be a difficult experience, leaving both physical and emotional wounds that take time to heal. If you are looking for legal representation in the Anaheim area, we encourage you to contact us at the number below for guidance.
At Golden Gate Legal, our team has extensive experience representing victims in dog bite cases throughout Anaheim. This article will provide clear direction on what to do after an incident, offer an overview of the legal process, and address many of the questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Anaheim
After being bitten by a dog in Anaheim, it's crucial to take the following steps:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority after any animal encounter in Anaheim is to get to a secure spot away from the animal. Once you're out of harm's way, take a moment to assess yourself and any companions for potential injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Immediately seek medical attention by calling 911 or heading to an emergency room, even if the bite appears minor. This is vital for preventing serious infections and ensures there is an official medical record of your injuries.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Filing a report with the police and animal control creates an essential record of the incident. Responding authorities will document what happened, and you should be sure to request a copy of the report for your own files.
Collect Information and Evidence
Gather the dog owner's name and contact information, find out if the dog is up-to-date on its rabies shots, and take pictures of your injuries, the dog itself, and the surrounding area. This evidence is vital for ensuring you receive proper medical care and for strengthening any potential legal claim you may have.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If a dog has bitten you in the Anaheim area, the skilled attorneys at Golden Gate Legal are ready to manage your case with care and expertise. We will navigate the legal process for you, take on the insurance companies, and work tirelessly to get you the full compensation you are entitled to.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
If you're in Anaheim, our team at Golden Gate Legal has dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases among many other personal injury proceedings. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: We fight to ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to for your injuries.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests while you focus on your recovery.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay anything unless we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is here to provide you with legal and emotional support whenever you need it.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
For our clients in Anaheim, we manage the entire legal journey from start to finish so you can focus on your recovery. Here’s how our process works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: It all starts with a free, no-obligation meeting where we listen to what happened, assess the details of the dog bite incident, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: We then collect all crucial evidence—like medical reports, injury photos, and witness accounts—and manage all the paperwork and communications with insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, we can assist in arranging your medical care and keep track of your progress to make sure the full extent of your injuries is documented.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've finished your medical treatment, we'll build a detailed demand letter outlining your losses and negotiate with the dog owner's insurance for the best possible settlement on your behalf.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the other party refuse a fair offer, our skilled trial lawyers will take your case to court to fight for the justice you deserve.
- You Get Paid: When we win or settle your case, we handle the final details to get your compensation check to you quickly, covering all your related costs and losses.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
In California, if you've been injured by a dog, the law allows you to seek financial compensation for the various losses you've suffered because of the incident. Compensatory damages for dog bites in California may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological counseling
Insurance companies and at-fault parties frequently try to undervalue claims to protect their profits, which is why it's so important to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like the team at Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle in our cases:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog’s sharp teeth can create deep puncture wounds or ragged tears that break the skin and damage the underlying tissue. Such injuries often bleed profusely, have a high potential for infection, may need sutures, and can result in permanent scarring.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
When a dog's bite breaks the skin, bacteria from its mouth can invade the wound, leading to infections that damage the skin and underlying tissues, and in severe cases, can spread throughout the body.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A severe dog bite can easily damage underlying nerves, especially in vulnerable areas. The aftermath can range from tingling and numbness to chronic pain and, in serious cases, a permanent loss of function in the affected body part if not addressed promptly.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Dog attacks frequently result in scarring, which can be especially noticeable on visible areas like the face and hands. When an injury involves significant tissue damage, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery may be required to repair the area and minimize long-term disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
When a dog bites with significant force, particularly a larger breed, the pressure can crush or even shatter bones and cause serious joint trauma. These wounds are typically marked by intense swelling and bruising, and recovery may involve surgery, splints, or physical therapy.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
More than just the physical injury, a dog bite can inflict lasting psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and a fear of animals, which may require professional counseling to overcome, particularly in children.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Anaheim
Dog bites in Anaheim often stem from a few major causes, which include:
Lack of Proper Training
Improperly trained or socialized dogs often lack the tools to handle stressful encounters, making them more prone to biting out of fright or confusion.
Fear or Startling
If a dog is caught by surprise by a sudden noise or action, it may bite out of a natural instinct to protect itself from what it perceives as a threat.
Territorial Behavior
Dogs often have a strong instinct to protect what they consider their territory, which can include their home, yard, or even their owner. If a stranger gets too close to this space, the dog might bite to defend it.
Rough Play
If play becomes too aggressive or forceful, a dog may feel endangered and bite or snap as a way to defend itself from what it sees as a threat.
Protective Instincts
When a dog is possessive of items like food and toys, or even people, they may bite if you attempt to remove what they are protecting.
Pain or Illness
An ailing or injured dog may lash out if handled or startled, as it might come to expect that any touch will bring more pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For personal injury cases in Anaheim, you pay nothing out-of-pocket to get started. Our fee is contingent on winning your case, which means there's absolutely no financial risk for you.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
California operates under a “strict liability” rule for dog bites. This means an owner is generally responsible for injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the animal had a history of aggression or the owner was negligent. You typically don’t need to prove the owner was careless, only that their dog bit you and caused you harm.
However, an owner’s liability might be reduced or dismissed entirely in certain situations. If the person who was bitten was trespassing on private property or had provoked the dog, the context of the incident becomes critical. This legal principle applies to dog bite claims throughout the state, including here in Anaheim.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
In California, you have a two-year window from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit for a dog bite, according to Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't act within that time, you will almost certainly lose your right to pursue a claim, even if the dog's owner was clearly negligent.
For victims who were children at the time of the attack, the rule is different. The two-year statute of limitations doesn't start until they reach the age of 18, giving them an extended period to take legal action.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you file a claim, the insurance company has 15 days to respond and begin looking into it. After you've submitted all the required documents, they then have 40 days to make a decision on whether to approve or deny your claim.
If your claim is accepted, the company must send you the payment within 30 days. All in all, the entire process is regulated by the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations and should not take longer than 85 days from start to finish.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Anaheim, a dog owner is still responsible for a bite even if their dog was on a leash and had never been aggressive before. As long as you were legally in the place where the bite occurred, the owner can be held accountable.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Anaheim, our first step is to listen to your story so we can fully understand the impact the incident has had on your life. We also help evaluate your injuries and can connect you with trusted medical experts to ensure you get the proper care.
Your job is to focus on healing; our job is to handle the legal complexities. We will fight to get you the financial award you are entitled to, covering everything from your medical bills and lost wages to your pain and emotional distress.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for legal support
Golden Gate Legal has helped countless personal injury victims get back on their feet. Let’s do the same for you.
Call us now at (310) 445-3425 or click below for your free consultation.
Protecting your rights when you need it most
We believe in doing what’s right: you focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle the legal process from start to finish.
Fighting for your full compensation
We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
Locations We Serve
Contact Us For a Free Case Evaluation
When dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you need strong support by your side to help you make the right decisions.
