Burbank Dog Bites Lawyer
Hurt in a dog bite attack in Burbank? Golden Gate Legal's experienced attorneys can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
A dog bite can leave behind both physical and emotional scars that are challenging to overcome. If you are seeking legal representation for a dog bite incident in the Burbank area, please contact us at the number below.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience handling dog bite cases and fighting for victims' rights in Burbank. This article will provide clear direction on what to do after a bite, offer an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you may have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Burbank
If you are bitten by a dog in Burbank, it is important to take the following steps to protect your health and your rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
The most important first step is to move to a safe distance from the animal to prevent any more injuries. Once you're out of harm's way in Burbank, take a moment to carefully assess yourself and anyone else involved for any wounds.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Immediately after a dog bite, it's crucial to get professional medical help by calling 911 or heading to an emergency room. A doctor can treat the wound to prevent infection and create a formal record of your injuries, which is essential for both your health and any potential claim.
Call the Police and Animal Control
It's crucial to report the dog bite to the police or animal control to have the incident officially documented. They will investigate what happened, gather necessary information, and provide you with a copy of the report for your records.
Collect Information and Evidence
You should exchange contact and insurance details with the owner, verify the dog's vaccination records, and take pictures of your injuries and the surrounding area. This documentation is key to safeguarding your well-being and preserving your rights down the road.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If a dog has bitten you in Burbank, the skilled team at Golden Gate Legal is ready to manage your case so you can focus on healing. Our attorneys will navigate the legal process and work tirelessly to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
At Golden Gate Legal, we have years of experience handling dog bite cases and a wide range of other personal injury proceedings for the residents of Burbank. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our duty is to guide you through the recovery process and make sure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests when you cannot, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we handle the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees upfront, and we only receive payment when we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is here to provide strong support and help you make the right decisions whenever you need us.
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 so you can focus on what matters most—your healing. Here’s how our process works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost consultation to discuss the details of your dog bite incident, address your concerns, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will meticulously gather all necessary evidence, from medical reports to witness accounts, and manage all communications and paperwork with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We can assist in coordinating your medical care and will track your recovery progress to ensure 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 to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the opposing side refuse a fair settlement, our skilled trial lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for the justice you deserve.
- You Get Paid: Upon the successful resolution of your case, we handle the final paperwork swiftly so you can receive your compensation and cover all related expenses without delay.
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 damages you've suffered as a result of the incident. Compensatory damages for dog bites in California are meant to cover your losses and 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 often try to undervalue your claim to protect their profits, making it essential to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal handling your case to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog’s sharp teeth can create deep puncture wounds or cause rough tears that damage the skin and underlying tissue. These wounds often bleed significantly, carry a high risk of infection, may require stitches, and can result in permanent scarring.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
A bite that breaks the skin allows bacteria from the dog's mouth to get into the wound, which can result in serious issues ranging from skin infections and abscesses to a severe, body-wide infection known as sepsis.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A deep bite, especially to an area with a high concentration of nerves like the face or hands, can cause serious nerve damage. This can lead to numbness, tingling, chronic pain, or even a permanent loss of movement and sensation in the affected area if not addressed by a medical professional.
Scarring & Disfigurement
A common result of a dog bite is scarring, which can be particularly noticeable on the face or hands. If the bite causes major tissue damage, reconstructive surgery might be needed to improve the victim's appearance and address the disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
A bite from a larger dog can exert enough force to crush soft tissue or even break bones, resulting in serious fractures or trauma to the joints. Such injuries typically involve major swelling and bruising and could necessitate surgery, a cast, or a lengthy period of physical therapy for complete healing.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The emotional scars from a dog bite, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can be just as severe as the physical injuries, often leading to a persistent fear of dogs and anxiety that may necessitate therapy, particularly for younger victims.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Burbank
Dog bites in Burbank often happen for a few key reasons:
Lack of Proper Training
When a dog lacks sufficient training or socialization, it may not understand how to handle stressful encounters, causing it to bite as a reaction to fear or uncertainty.
Fear or Startling
Likewise, a dog that is startled by a sudden approach or an unexpected noise may bite defensively in response to a perceived threat.
Territorial Behavior
A dog may instinctively guard its property and its people. This territorial behavior can cause the dog to bite anyone it perceives as an intruder for coming too near.
Rough Play
Excessively boisterous play can overwhelm a dog, prompting it to lash out in an attempt to protect itself from what it perceives as a threat.
Protective Instincts
A dog may instinctively guard things it considers valuable, from its food bowl to a family member. Attempting to take these things away can be perceived as a threat, causing the dog to bite.
Pain or Illness
A dog that is sick or injured may bite if it's touched unexpectedly, as it might interpret the contact as a source of further pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our Burbank clients, there are no upfront costs for personal injury representation. We only collect our fee if we win or settle your case, so you have absolutely no financial risk in seeking justice.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
Even if a dog's owner denies responsibility, California law may still hold them accountable. The state follows a “strict liability” rule for dog bites, meaning an owner is typically responsible for injuries their dog causes, regardless of the dog's past behavior or the owner's negligence. You generally only need to prove the bite occurred and resulted in harm.
However, an owner's liability can be reduced or eliminated if the victim was trespassing or had provoked the dog. The context of the incident is critical, especially when navigating local laws in a city like Burbank.
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 bite to file a lawsuit under Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't act within that period, you will almost certainly lose your right to sue, even if the dog's owner was clearly at fault.
However, there's an exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year clock doesn't start ticking until their 18th birthday, giving them more time to take legal action.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, insurance companies operate under strict timelines. Once you notify them of a claim, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. From the day they receive all your necessary proof-of-claim paperwork, they have 40 days to make a decision on whether to accept or deny it.
Should your claim be accepted, the company is then required to issue payment within 30 days. Based on the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, this means the entire process from your initial filing to receiving payment should typically be wrapped up within 85 days.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Burbank, as in all of California, a dog owner is still responsible even if their dog was leashed or had never shown aggression before. If you were bitten while lawfully on the property, the owner can be held accountable.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here in Burbank, our first priority at Golden Gate Legal is to hear your story and understand how the incident has affected your life. We want you to feel supported. We also help evaluate the full scope of your injuries, which can include connecting you with medical specialists to ensure you receive the best possible care.
Your focus should be on getting better. Let us handle the legal complexities. We will work tirelessly to build a strong case and fight for the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and the personal suffering you've experienced.
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.
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We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
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When dealing with the aftermath of an accident, you need strong support by your side to help you make the right decisions.
