Long Beach Dog Bites Lawyer
Bitten by a dog in Long Beach? If you're looking for a dedicated dog bite attorney, Golden Gate Legal is here to help you get the compensation you deserve.
A dog bite can leave you with more than just physical scars; the emotional trauma can be just as challenging to overcome. If you're seeking legal representation in the Long Beach area after such an incident, please call us at (555) 555-5555 for a consultation.
At Golden Gate Legal, our team has extensive experience helping clients navigate the complexities of dog bite cases throughout Long Beach. In this article, we'll guide you through the immediate steps to take after a bite, outline the legal process, and answer some of the most common questions you may have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Long Beach
If you are the victim of a dog bite in Long Beach, it's crucial to take the following steps:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority after an animal bite in Long Beach is to move to a secure spot away from the animal to prevent further injury. Once you are out of harm's way, carefully check yourself and anyone else involved for any wounds.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
It's crucial to get medical help right away, so either call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room. Prompt medical care is essential for preventing infection and other complications, while also creating a formal record of the incident.
Call the Police and Animal Control
After a bite, contact the police and local animal control to file an official report. They will gather details from everyone involved, and you should be sure to ask for a copy of the report for your own records.
Collect Information and Evidence
You should get the owner’s contact and insurance information, confirm the dog’s vaccination history, and take clear photos of your injuries, the animal, and the location of the incident. This information is vital for protecting your health and is essential for supporting any potential injury claim.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If a dog has bitten you in the Long Beach area, the skilled team at Golden Gate Legal is ready to manage your case and navigate the often-confusing legal process. We will take on the insurance companies and work tirelessly to ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to for your injuries.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
With years of experience handling dog bite cases in Long Beach among many other personal injury proceedings, our team is ready to fight for you. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us to represent you:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our attorneys will aggressively fight to 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 so you can 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 a fee when we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide legal and emotional support whenever you need us.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of your Long Beach dog bite case so you can focus on what matters most—your healing. Here’s how the process works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We'll start with a free, no-obligation meeting to discuss the details of your dog bite incident, answer your questions, 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 keep track of your recovery 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 dog owner's insurance provider to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the opposing party refuse a fair settlement, our skilled trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight for the justice you deserve.
- You Get Paid: Upon reaching a successful resolution, we handle the final details to make sure you receive your compensation quickly to cover all your 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 damages you've suffered as a result 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 the responsible parties often try to pay out as little as possible to protect their profits, making it crucial to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like the team at Golden Gate Legal fighting for you.
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 pointed teeth can create deep puncture wounds or cause rough lacerations that go through the skin into the underlying tissue. These types of wounds often bleed a lot, can easily get infected, may need to be stitched up, 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 powerful bite can sever or crush nerves, particularly in vulnerable areas like the hands and face. This damage can cause anything from numbness and tingling to a total loss of sensation, and if not treated properly, it could result in a permanent loss of function in that part of the body.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Scars are a frequent result of dog bites, and they can be especially distressing when on visible areas like the face or hands. If the bite causes substantial tissue damage, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery might be needed to repair the injury and lessen any long-term disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
A bite from a larger dog can have enough force to crush and break bones or cause serious joint damage. These types of crush injuries often lead to severe 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 Long Beach
In Long Beach, most dog bite incidents don't happen out of the blue; they usually result from a few key situations:
Lack of Proper Training
A dog without proper training or socialization might not know how to handle a scary situation, leading them to bite simply because they are frightened or don't understand what's happening.
Fear or Startling
In the same way, a dog that is caught off guard by an abrupt noise or action may bite as a defensive reflex.
Territorial Behavior
Dogs often feel a strong instinct to defend their space and their people, which can result in a bite if a stranger gets uncomfortably close.
Rough Play
Forceful play or handling can make a dog feel like it's in danger, causing it to respond with aggression as a form of self-protection.
Protective Instincts
A dog's instinct to protect things they consider theirs, like a toy, their food, or even a person, can cause them to bite if someone tries to take the item away.
Pain or Illness
An injured or sick dog might bite if touched unexpectedly, as it may connect that physical contact with more pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For personal injury cases in Long Beach, you pay nothing to get started. Our fee is only collected after we win your case, so you have nothing to lose.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law is quite clear thanks to Civil Code § 3342, which establishes a “strict liability” rule. This means a dog's owner is generally held responsible for injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression or if the owner was careless. For the most part, you don't have to prove the owner was negligent; you just need to show that the bite happened and that it caused you harm.
There are exceptions, however. An owner's liability might be lessened or even dismissed entirely if the injured person was trespassing on private property or provoked the dog into attacking. The specific circumstances surrounding the incident are very important. If you've been bitten by a dog and the owner is denying responsibility, understanding these nuances is crucial for anyone navigating a dog bite claim in Long Beach.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
In California, you have a two-year window from the day you were bitten to pursue legal action under Civil Code § 335.1. If you fail to file a claim within this timeframe, your case will almost certainly be thrown out, even when the owner is obviously at fault.
However, there is a key exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year clock does not start running until they reach their 18th birthday, allowing them extra time to act.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you notify your insurance company of a claim, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start their investigation. After you provide all the necessary paperwork to prove your claim, the company then has 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny it.
If your claim is approved, the insurer is required to issue payment within 30 days. Based on the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the whole process from when you file to when you get paid should typically take no more than 85 days.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Absolutely. In Long Beach, California law holds an owner responsible for a bite even if their dog was leashed or had a clean record with no past aggression. If you were lawfully present when the bite happened, the owner can be held liable.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Long Beach, our first step is to listen to your story and understand the full impact of your accident. We'll help you document the extent of your harm, which can include connecting you with trusted medical professionals to ensure you receive the proper care.
Your main focus should be on getting better. While you do that, our team will manage all the legal complexities. We will work tirelessly to pursue the financial resources you need to cover medical bills, lost income, and the personal toll the incident has taken on your life.
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.
