Stockton Dog Bites Lawyer
Injured by a dog bite in Stockton? Golden Gate Legal's attorneys help you get the compensation you deserve. Get expert legal help today.
A dog bite can leave you with serious physical injuries and emotional trauma that lasts long after the wounds have healed. If you've been bitten by a dog in the Stockton area and need legal representation, our team is here to help.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience handling dog bite cases and securing justice for victims throughout Stockton. This article will guide you on what to do after a bite, provide an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Stockton
If you've suffered a dog bite in Stockton, here are the important steps you should take:
Make Sure You're Safe
If you've been bitten by an animal in Stockton, the most critical first step is to get to a safe place away from it. Then, take a moment to carefully check yourself and others who were present for any signs of injury.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
The most critical first step is to get professional medical help, so call 911 or head to an urgent care clinic without delay. A doctor can treat the wound to prevent serious infections and create an official record of your injuries.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Filing a report with the police and animal control creates an essential record of the incident. Responding authorities will document what happened, and you should be sure to request a copy of the report for your own files.
Collect Information and Evidence
Exchange contact and insurance information with the dog's owner, verify the animal's vaccination records, and document everything with photos of your injuries, the dog, and where the attack occurred. This evidence is critical for ensuring you receive proper medical care and for supporting any claim you might make.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
If a dog has bitten you in Stockton, the compassionate team at Golden Gate Legal is here to help you understand your rights and options. Our skilled attorneys will handle the complex legal work and deal directly with insurance companies, fighting to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
Golden Gate Legal has dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and many other personal injury proceedings for clients in Stockton. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us 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: Our attorneys will aggressively fight for you and stand by your side from the beginning of your case to the very end.
- 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: We are available 24/7 to provide the strong support you need to help you make the right decisions.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
Here’s an overview of the legal process we handle for our Stockton clients, which allows you to focus on what matters most—your healing:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a free meeting to discuss the details of your dog bite incident, answer your questions, and assess the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team gathers crucial evidence like medical records, injury photos, and witness accounts, and we manage all communications and filings with insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We assist in coordinating your medical care and track your recovery progress, allowing you to focus on healing while we build your case.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After your treatment concludes, we compile a detailed demand package outlining your injuries and losses to negotiate the highest possible settlement with the responsible party's insurance.
- Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement isn't offered, our trial attorneys are prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court to hold the dog owner accountable.
- You Get Paid: Once your case is successfully resolved, we handle the final paperwork to ensure you promptly receive your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
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 losses you've suffered because 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 at-fault parties frequently attempt to undervalue your claim to protect their profits, making it essential to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal fighting 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
If a dog's teeth break the skin, bacteria from its mouth can get into the wound, leading to dangerous infections that can harm soft tissue or even spread through the bloodstream.
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
Dog bites often leave behind permanent scars, which can be especially severe on exposed areas like the hands and face. For serious injuries where tissue is torn away, reconstructive or plastic surgery may be required to minimize the long-term disfigurement and help restore the person's original appearance.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
The powerful jaws of a large dog can exert enough pressure to break bones and inflict serious damage on joints. These crushing injuries are typically marked by major swelling and bruising, and recovery may require surgery, a splint or cast, and physical therapy.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The psychological impact of a dog attack can be as devastating as the physical wounds, often causing long-term emotional trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder that may require therapy, particularly for children, to help them feel safe again.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Stockton
Dog bites can happen for many reasons, but in Stockton, most incidents can be traced back to a few major causes:
Lack of Proper Training
Improperly trained or socialized dogs often lack the tools to handle stressful encounters, making them more prone to biting out of fright or confusion.
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
Since dogs are instinctively protective of their space and their people, they may bite if they feel threatened by an unfamiliar person approaching their territory.
Rough Play
If play becomes too aggressive or forceful, a dog may feel endangered and bite or snap as a way to defend itself from what it sees as a threat.
Protective Instincts
A dog might bite if you try to take something they are guarding, whether it's their food bowl, a favorite toy, or even a person in the family.
Pain or Illness
A dog in pain or feeling unwell may bite if touched, because it might connect that touch with its suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our Stockton clients, there are no initial attorney fees for personal injury claims. We only collect a fee if we secure a settlement or win your case, meaning there's zero financial risk for you.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law is quite clear under a "strict liability" rule. This means a dog's owner is held responsible for bite injuries, regardless of whether the dog had a history of aggression or if the owner was being careless. You generally don't have to prove the owner was negligent; you only need to establish that the bite occurred and caused you harm.
However, there are exceptions. An owner's liability can be reduced or even eliminated if the injured person was trespassing or provoked the animal. Because of this, the context of the situation is crucial for any dog bite case in California, including those that happen in Stockton.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit for a dog bite, according to Civil Code § 335.1. If you fail to act within this timeframe, you will likely forfeit your right to sue for damages, even if the dog's owner is clearly liable.
For victims who were under the age of 18 at the time of the bite, this two-year deadline is paused. The clock doesn't start running until their 18th birthday, giving them an extended period to take legal action.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you file a claim, your insurance company has 15 days to acknowledge it and start looking into the details. From the day they receive all your required documents, they then have 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny your claim.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they are required to send the payment within 30 days. This means that, according to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the whole settlement process should typically be wrapped up within 85 days from when you submitted your completed claim.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. Even if a dog in Stockton was on a leash or had no prior bite history, the owner is still responsible under California law. As long as you were not trespassing when the bite occurred, you can file a claim.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here in Stockton, our first job is to hear your story and make sure you feel supported. We'll assess the full scope of your injuries and can connect you with trusted doctors to aid your treatment.
While you concentrate on healing, we take on the legal fight for you. Our goal is to win the compensation you need for your pain, suffering, and the entire recovery process.
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.
