Pasadena Dog Bites Lawyer
Looking for a dog bite attorney in Pasadena? Golden Gate Legal helps victims of dog attacks get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today.
The aftermath of a dog bite can be a painful and confusing experience, leaving both physical and emotional wounds that take time to heal. If you are looking for legal representation in the Pasadena area, our team is ready to help you navigate the path forward.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have years of experience successfully representing victims in dog bite cases throughout Pasadena. In this guide, we will cover the immediate steps you should take after an incident, provide an overview of the legal process, and address the most common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Pasadena
If you get a dog bite in Pasadena, it's important to follow the steps below:
Make Sure You're Safe
The first and most crucial step is to distance yourself from the animal to ensure your immediate safety. Once you've found a secure location in Pasadena, carefully check yourself and anyone else who was present for any 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
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
Gather the owner’s contact and insurance information, confirm the dog’s vaccination records, and take clear photos of your injuries, the animal, and the location of the incident. This evidence is vital for protecting your health and is a critical foundation for any potential claim.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
When you're recovering from a dog bite in Pasadena, our attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can step in to navigate the intricate legal system on your behalf. We focus on dealing with the insurance adjusters and fighting for the maximum settlement, so you can focus on healing.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
At Golden Gate Legal, we have dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury proceedings for clients in Pasadena and throughout California. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our attorneys will aggressively fight to hold negligent parties accountable and help you obtain the full compensation you are entitled to.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: We make it 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: Our contingency fee policy means you don't pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is here to support you from day one to your final settlement, providing guidance whenever you need it.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials to see what others have to say.
Legal Process Overview
We handle the entire legal process for your Pasadena claim so you can focus on your recovery:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost 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 collect all necessary proof, like medical reports and witness accounts, and manage all the paperwork and communication with insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We can assist in arranging your medical care and will keep track of your recovery to make sure your case accurately represents the full extent of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've completed your medical treatment, we will send a detailed demand to the responsible party's insurance company and negotiate aggressively to get you the best possible settlement.
- Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement isn't offered, our skilled trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight for you.
- You Get Paid: As soon as your case is won or settled, we handle the final details to get your compensation check to you quickly.
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 damages you've suffered as a result of the attack. 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 profits, insurance companies and at-fault parties will often attempt to undervalue your claim, making it essential to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal on your side to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While 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 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
A dog's bite can do more than just break the skin; it can crush and tear underlying soft tissue. This also introduces bacteria from the dog's mouth, creating a high risk of serious infections that require immediate medical attention.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A particularly deep bite, especially in delicate areas such as the hands or face, can damage underlying nerves. This may lead to a loss of feeling, numbness, persistent pain, or even permanent functional problems if not properly treated.
Scarring & Disfigurement
A common result of a dog attack is scarring, which can be particularly noticeable on the face or hands. If the bite causes major tissue damage, surgical procedures like plastic or reconstructive surgery might be needed to repair the area and lessen the 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 Pasadena
Most dog bite incidents in Pasadena can be traced back to a handful of common 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 instinct to protect its home or family can cause it to bite if someone it doesn't know gets too close.
Rough Play
When play gets too physical, a dog might feel threatened and lash out to defend itself from what it perceives as danger.
Protective Instincts
This instinct can lead a dog to guard what they consider theirs, whether it's a chew toy, their dinner, or even a person. They may snap or bite if they feel that possession is being threatened.
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?
In Pasadena, you won't pay any upfront legal fees for your personal injury case. Our firm only gets paid if we win or settle your case, meaning there is absolutely no financial risk to you.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
California law holds dog owners strictly responsible for bites. This means an owner is liable for injuries their dog causes, even if the dog has never shown aggression before and the owner wasn't being careless. You generally don't have to prove the owner was negligent; you just need to establish that the bite happened and you were hurt.
However, there are exceptions. An owner's liability could be reduced or even eliminated if the injured person was trespassing or had provoked the dog. Because of these exceptions, the specific details surrounding the bite are critical for any dog bite claim in Pasadena.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
Under California's Civil Code § 335.1, you have two years from the day you were bitten to file a claim. It's crucial to meet this deadline, as failing to do so typically means you lose your right to sue, no matter how clear the owner's fault may be.
An exception exists for minors, however. For victims who were under 18 when the bite occurred, the two-year clock only starts ticking on their 18th birthday, giving them an extended period to pursue legal action.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you file an insurance claim, the company has specific deadlines to meet. They must confirm they've received your claim and begin their investigation within 15 days of you contacting them. From the day they receive your completed proof-of-claim forms, they have 40 days to decide whether to accept or reject your claim.
If your claim is approved, the insurance company is then required to issue payment within 30 days. This means that, according to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the whole process should wrap up within a total of 85 days from when you provided all the necessary documentation.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Pasadena, a dog owner is still responsible for a bite even if their dog was leashed or had a clean record. If you were lawfully present when the bite occurred, the owner can be held accountable.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here in Pasadena, Golden Gate Legal starts by listening to your story so you feel heard and supported. We also assess your injuries and can refer you to specialized doctors to ensure you get proper treatment.
While you focus on healing, we handle the legal fight to get the compensation you're owed. This includes payment for your pain, suffering, and 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.
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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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