Burbank Dog Bites Lawyer
If you've been bitten by a dog in Burbank, our experienced dog bite attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can help you get the justice you deserve.
Recovering from a dog bite involves healing both physical wounds and emotional distress, a journey that can be incredibly tough. If you're seeking legal representation for a dog bite incident in the Burbank area, we encourage you to contact us at the number below.
At Golden Gate Legal, our team has extensive experience handling dog bite cases and securing fair compensation for victims in Burbank. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to do after a bite, explain the legal process, and address the most common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Burbank
If you've been bitten by a dog in Burbank, it's very important to take the following steps:
Make Sure You're Safe
The most important first step is to move to a safe distance from the animal to prevent any further harm. Once you are in a secure location in Burbank, carefully check yourself and anyone with you for injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
The most important first step is to get medical help right away by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room. This ensures the wound is properly treated to prevent serious infections and creates an official record of your injuries.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Contacting the police and local animal control ensures there is an official report of the incident. They will investigate, collect statements, and gather information, so be sure to ask for a copy of the report for your own files.
Collect Information and Evidence
Exchange contact and insurance information with the dog's owner, verify the animal's vaccination records, and document everything with photos of your injuries, the dog, and where the attack occurred. This evidence is critical for ensuring you receive proper medical care and for supporting any claim you might make.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
When a dog bite happens in Burbank, the compassionate attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can take over the legal challenges, allowing you to focus on healing. We will manage the intricate details of your claim, from dealing with insurance companies to fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
With our dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury claims for residents in Burbank, our team is ready to fight for you. Here are a few reasons why you should choose Golden Gate Legal:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: We work to ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to, without losing a single penny.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: Our top priority is to protect your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery while we handle the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You will not pay any legal fees to start your case, as we only receive payment when we win or settle.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide the legal and emotional support you need, whenever you need it.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
For your personal injury claim in Burbank, we take care of every step of the legal process so you can focus on what matters most—your healing. Here’s how it works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a free, no-obligation meeting to discuss your dog bite incident, answer your questions, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will collect all necessary evidence, like medical reports and witness accounts, and manage all the paperwork and communications with insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We can assist in coordinating your medical care and will track your recovery to make sure the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've completed your medical treatment, we will compile a detailed demand letter and negotiate aggressively with the responsible party's insurance company to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the other side refuse a fair offer, our skilled trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight for the justice you deserve.
- You Get Paid: When we win or settle your case, we handle the final paperwork quickly so you can receive your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses without delay.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
In California, if you've been injured by a dog bite, 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
To protect their own profits, insurance companies and at-fault parties will often try to pay you less than your claim is truly worth, making it essential to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like Golden Gate Legal on your side.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this isn't a complete list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog's sharp teeth can create deep puncture wounds or jagged lacerations that tear through skin and underlying tissue, often causing significant bleeding, carrying a high risk of infection, requiring stitches, and leaving permanent scars.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
When a dog’s bite breaks the skin, it can introduce bacteria that may cause anything from a simple skin infection to a more severe abscess or a dangerous, body-wide infection like sepsis.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A severe dog bite, particularly in a vulnerable area such as the face or hands, can cause significant nerve damage. The consequences can range from numbness and tingling to chronic pain or even a permanent loss of function in the affected area if medical care is delayed.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Dog bites often leave behind permanent scars, which can be especially severe on exposed areas like the hands and face. For serious injuries where tissue is torn away, reconstructive or plastic surgery may be required to minimize the long-term disfigurement and help restore the person's original appearance.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
When a dog bites with significant force, particularly a larger breed, it can lead to crushed tissues and broken bones. Such injuries are often accompanied by severe swelling and bruising, and recovery can involve surgery, splints, or a course of physical rehabilitation.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional trauma from a dog bite, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, lasting anxiety, or a new fear of animals, can often outlast the physical injuries and may require professional therapy, especially for children, to help them rebuild their confidence and sense of safety.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Burbank
In Burbank, most dog bite incidents can be traced back to a handful of major causes:
Lack of Proper Training
An improperly trained or socialized dog might not know how to handle a stressful encounter, causing it to react defensively with a bite because it's scared or unsure what to do.
Fear or Startling
A dog that is taken by surprise by a sudden noise or an unfamiliar person approaching too quickly may bite out of a purely defensive instinct.
Territorial Behavior
A dog's powerful instinct to guard its home and family means it may bite anyone it perceives as a threat to its territory.
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
If a dog feels protective over something they value, whether it's a toy, their food, or a family member, they may bite if you try to take it away.
Pain or Illness
When a dog is unwell or hurt, it may bite if startled or touched because it anticipates the contact will cause more discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For personal injury cases in Burbank, you won't pay any legal fees out of pocket. We only receive payment if we secure a win or settlement for you, so there's absolutely no financial risk on your part.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
Even if a dog's owner denies responsibility, California law is quite clear. The state operates under a “strict liability” rule for dog bites. This means an owner is generally held accountable for injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the dog had a history of aggression or if the owner was careless. For your case, you usually only need to show that the dog bit you and that you were injured as a result.
There are, however, a few exceptions. An owner's responsibility might be lessened or even dismissed if the injured person was trespassing on their property or provoked the dog into attacking. The specific circumstances of the incident are very important. If you've been bitten by a dog in Burbank, understanding these nuances can be crucial to your case.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
In California, you have a two-year deadline 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 this period, you will almost certainly lose your right to sue, even if the dog's owner was clearly at fault.
There is a notable exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year statute of limitations doesn't start until they reach their 18th birthday, giving them more time to file a claim.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, insurance companies are required to acknowledge your claim and start their investigation within 15 days of you filing it. After they receive all the necessary paperwork from you, they have a 40-day period to decide whether to accept or deny your claim.
If your claim is approved, the insurer must issue payment within 30 days of that decision. This means the entire process, from your initial filing to receiving payment, should be completed within 85 days as mandated by California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Burbank, a dog's owner is responsible for a bite even if the dog was on a leash and had never been aggressive before. As long as you were legally present where the incident happened, the owner can be held liable.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At our Burbank office, we start by listening to your story to fully understand your unique situation. We'll also assess your injuries and can help you find the right doctors to ensure you get the best possible medical care.
While you concentrate on healing, our team handles all the legal legwork. We fight to secure the financial compensation you need to cover your pain, suffering, and the path to recovery.
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
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