Pasadena Dog Bites Lawyer
If you're looking for a dog bite attorney in Pasadena, Golden Gate Legal can help. We fight for victims to get the compensation they 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 are seeking legal representation for a dog bite in the Pasadena area, our experienced team is ready to help.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have a proven track record of successfully handling dog bite cases and securing fair compensation for victims in Pasadena. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the immediate steps to take after an incident, provide an overview of the legal process, and answer some of the most common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Pasadena
If you have been bitten by a dog in Pasadena, it is important to follow the steps below to handle the situation correctly:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority after an animal bite in Pasadena is to move to a safe distance to prevent any more attacks. Once you are out of immediate danger, carefully check yourself and anyone with you for injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your health is the top priority, so call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate medical care. Even seemingly minor wounds can lead to serious infections, and seeking prompt treatment ensures your injuries are properly documented.
Call the Police and Animal Control
You should report the bite to the police and local animal control to ensure the incident is properly documented. These authorities can gather evidence and statements, and you should ask for a copy of the official report for your own files.
Collect Information and Evidence
Politely request the owner's contact and insurance information, inquire about the dog's vaccination status, and take clear photos of your injuries, the animal, and the place where the incident occurred. This documentation is key to safeguarding your well-being and preserving your legal rights.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a dog bite in Pasadena, navigating the legal process can be overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. The dedicated team at Golden Gate Legal will take on the insurance companies and work tirelessly to ensure you receive the full compensation you're entitled to.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
At Golden Gate Legal, we have years of dedicated experience handling dog bite cases and a wide range of other personal injury proceedings for clients in Pasadena. 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 ensure 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 take care of the rest.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees to start your case, and we only receive a fee when we win or settle.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide support and offer a free case evaluation whenever you need us.
We encourage you to see what our former clients have to say in our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of the legal process for your Pasadena dog bite claim so you can focus on your recovery:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost meeting to discuss the specifics of your dog bite incident, answer your questions, and assess the viability of your case.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team gathers all crucial evidence, from medical records to witness testimony, and handles every aspect of filing your claim and communicating with insurance companies.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, we help coordinate your medical care and monitor your progress to ensure your case accurately reflects the full scope of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your treatment concludes, we build a comprehensive demand package and negotiate with the dog owner's insurance provider to achieve the highest possible settlement on your behalf.
- Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our experienced trial attorneys will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
- You Get Paid: After your case is successfully resolved, we finalize all the necessary paperwork to ensure you receive your compensation check promptly.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
California law allows individuals who have sustained injuries in 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
Insurance companies and at-fault parties often try to undervalue your claim to protect their profits, which is why it is critical to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not a complete list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle in personal injury cases:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog’s pointed teeth can easily cause deep puncture wounds or create rough tears that damage the skin and underlying tissues. These injuries frequently result in substantial bleeding, pose a high risk for infection, often necessitate stitches, and can lead to permanent scarring.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
If a dog's teeth break the skin, bacteria from its mouth can be introduced into the wound, potentially causing serious skin infections, abscesses, or even dangerous systemic conditions if the infection spreads.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A powerful bite can crush or sever nerves, especially in vulnerable places like the hands or face. This kind of damage can cause numbness, tingling, or chronic pain, and if medical attention is delayed, it could lead to a permanent loss of use in that part of the body.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Dog bites often leave scars that are especially noticeable on areas like the face and hands. If the injury involves serious tissue damage or tearing, reconstructive surgery may be needed to help restore the victim's appearance and reduce the lasting 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 can be as profound as the physical injuries, often resulting in lasting trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder, a persistent fear of dogs, or severe anxiety, which can require professional counseling—especially for children—to help them rebuild their sense of safety and well-being.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Pasadena
In Pasadena, most dog bite incidents can be traced back to a few common causes:
Lack of Proper Training
A dog lacking adequate training or socialization may not possess the skills to navigate stressful encounters, potentially resorting to a bite driven by fear or confusion.
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's instinct is often to guard its home, yard, or family, and if a stranger gets too close, this protective nature can result in a bite.
Rough Play
Excessively rough play can frighten a dog, prompting it to use aggression as a way to protect itself from a situation it perceives as harmful.
Protective Instincts
A dog may become fiercely protective of things they value, from their food to their favorite human. Attempting to remove the guarded item or person can be perceived as a threat, often resulting in a bite.
Pain or Illness
When a dog is hurt or feeling unwell, it might bite if startled or touched because it may associate that contact with its pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For personal injury cases in Pasadena, you won't face any initial legal fees. We only get paid if we win or settle your case, so you can seek justice without any financial risk.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law is quite clear when it comes to dog bites. The state operates under a “strict liability” rule, which means a dog’s owner is responsible for injuries their pet causes, even if they deny it. This holds true whether or not the dog had a history of aggression or the owner was negligent. Generally, you don't need to prove the owner was careless—only that you were bitten and suffered an injury.
However, there are a few situations where an owner's liability could be reduced. If the injured person was trespassing on private property or was provoking the animal, the owner might not be held fully responsible. The context of the incident is key, which is why it's vital to understand how these specific rules apply to dog bite cases in Pasadena.
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 established by Civil Code § 335.1. It is crucial to act within this timeframe. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely reject your case, even if the dog's owner was clearly negligent.
There is a key exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year clock does not begin to run until their 18th birthday, providing them with more time to file a claim.
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?
Absolutely. Even if a dog in Pasadena was leashed or had a clean record with no previous bites, the owner can still be held accountable. California law focuses on the owner's responsibility, so as long as you weren't trespassing when the bite happened, you can file a claim.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal in Pasadena, we begin by understanding your unique circumstances so you feel supported. We'll also evaluate the extent of your injuries and can refer you to medical specialists to ensure you get the proper care.
As you concentrate on healing, our team manages the legal details to get you the compensation you need. We pursue payment for your medical costs, lost income, and suffering.
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.
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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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No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
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