Orange Dog Bites Lawyer
Bitten by a dog in Orange? The experienced dog bite attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
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 seeking legal representation in the Orange area to help you through this challenging time, contact our team at the number below.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience handling dog bite cases for residents of Orange and understand the complexities involved. To help you move forward, this article will provide clear direction on what to do after a bite, give an overview of the legal process, and address the most common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Orange
If a dog bites you in Orange, it is important to follow the steps below:
Make Sure You're Safe
The first and most important step is to create a safe distance between you and the animal. After you've reached a secure spot in Orange, take a moment to assess yourself and anyone else involved for any injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your first priority after a dog bite is to seek immediate medical care by calling 911 or going to an emergency room. This ensures the wound is properly treated to prevent infection and creates an official medical record of your injuries.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Call the police and animal control to create an official report, which is an important step for your protection. They will document the incident and gather information, and you can then request a copy of the report for your records.
Collect Information and Evidence
After a bite, you'll want to exchange contact and insurance information with the owner, find out if the dog is up-to-date on its shots, and take clear photos of your injuries and the surrounding area. This evidence is crucial for seeking medical care and provides the foundation for any potential injury claim.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If you've been injured by a dog bite in Orange, our compassionate attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can take on the legal burdens for you. We will handle the complex claims process and fight to secure the full compensation you need, so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
Golden Gate Legal has dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury claims for clients in Orange. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- 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: Our team makes it a top priority to protect your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You will 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 the legal and emotional support you need after an accident.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of your dog bite claim in Orange so you can focus on what matters most—your healing. Here’s how the process works:
- 1. Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a free consultation to discuss the details of your dog bite incident, answer your questions, and evaluate the strength of your case.
- 2. Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team meticulously gathers crucial evidence, including medical records and witness statements, and handles all the necessary paperwork and communications with the insurance companies.
- 3. Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, we can help coordinate your medical care and will monitor your progress to ensure the full extent of your injuries is documented for your claim.
- 4. Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once you have completed medical treatment, we compile a detailed demand package and negotiate aggressively with the dog owner's insurance company to secure the maximum settlement for you.
- 5. Litigation (if necessary): If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our trial attorneys are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
- 6. You Get Paid: After a successful resolution, we handle all the final details to ensure you receive your compensation check as quickly as possible.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
In California, the law allows individuals who have sustained injuries from a dog bite to seek compensation for the damages incurred from 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
Since insurance companies and at-fault parties frequently try to undervalue claims to protect their bottom line, it's vital to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like 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:
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
An open wound from a dog bite allows oral bacteria to invade, which can result in serious complications ranging from localized skin infections and abscesses to widespread, dangerous infections like sepsis.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A powerful bite, particularly in vulnerable areas like the hands or face, can damage underlying nerves. This may cause numbness, tingling sensations, or persistent pain, and if not addressed by a doctor, could lead to a long-term loss of function in the injured area.
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
Beyond the physical wounds, a dog bite can inflict significant emotional and psychological trauma, leading to conditions like anxiety, a persistent fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may require therapy, particularly for children, to help restore their emotional well-being.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Orange
Here are some of the major causes for dog bites that happen in Orange:
Lack of Proper Training
When a dog hasn't received adequate training or socialization, it can become overwhelmed in unfamiliar circumstances, often leading to a bite driven by anxiety or uncertainty.
Fear or Startling
Likewise, if a dog is caught off guard by an unforeseen noise or a quick, unexpected movement, its instinct may be to bite as a form of self-protection.
Territorial Behavior
A dog's instinct is often to guard its territory, which can include the house, the yard, or even its human family. If an unfamiliar person gets too close, this protective instinct can kick in, sometimes resulting in a bite.
Rough Play
Intense or overly physical play can frighten a dog, prompting it to bite or snap as a way to defend itself against a perceived threat.
Protective Instincts
A dog might instinctively guard things it values, such as its food, toys, or even a particular spot on the couch, and may bite if it feels those resources are threatened.
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 personal injury clients in Orange, there are no upfront costs. We only collect a fee if we win your case, meaning there is absolutely no financial risk to you.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
When a dog owner denies responsibility, it's important to know that California law holds them accountable under a “strict liability” statute. This means the owner is typically responsible for any injuries their dog inflicts, regardless of the dog's history or whether the owner was negligent. For a successful claim, you generally only need to show that the bite happened and that it resulted in an injury.
However, an owner's responsibility can be reduced or even eliminated in certain situations. For instance, if the injured person was trespassing on private property or was provoking the dog, the owner may not be held fully liable. The context of the incident is crucial, and understanding these details is key to pursuing a case in Orange.
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, as outlined in Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't take action within this period, you will likely lose your right to pursue a claim, even if the owner was clearly negligent.
For victims who are minors, the rule is different. The two-year statute of limitations doesn't begin until they reach the age of 18, providing them with an extended period to seek justice.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you notify your insurance company, they have 15 days to acknowledge your claim and start their investigation. After you provide all the necessary paperwork, they have an additional 40 days to review everything and make a decision to either approve or deny your claim.
If your claim is approved, the insurance company is required to issue payment within 30 days. Based on the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, this means the entire process from when you first file to when you receive payment should not exceed 85 days.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Orange County, the owner is still responsible even if the dog was on a leash or had no prior history of aggression. California's law focuses on whether you were lawfully present where the bite occurred, making the owner liable regardless of the dog's past behavior.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal, our first step is to understand your unique story and how your accident in Orange has affected your life. We want you to feel heard and supported, not like just another case file. We also help assess the full scope of your injuries, which can include connecting you with trusted medical specialists to ensure you receive proper care.
While you focus on healing, we take on the burden of the legal battle. Our team will diligently work to secure the full compensation you are owed for your recovery, including damages for your pain, suffering, and the overall impact 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.
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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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