Torrance Dog Bites Lawyer
Injured by a dog in Torrance? Golden Gate Legal's dog bite attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve. Get a free consultation.
A dog bite can be a deeply traumatic experience, leaving both physical scars and emotional distress. If you are seeking legal representation for a dog bite incident in the Torrance area, contact us at the number below to get the help you deserve.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have extensive experience handling dog bite cases and are dedicated to serving the Torrance community. This article will provide clear direction on what to do after a bite, give an overview of the legal process, and address many of the questions you might have along the way.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Torrance
If you've been bitten by a dog in Torrance, it's important to follow the steps below:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority after an animal incident in Torrance is to get to a safe place, putting distance between you and the animal. Once you are out of immediate danger, carefully check yourself and anyone with you for injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
The most important first step is to seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room. This not only helps prevent serious infections but also creates a formal record of the incident and your injuries.
Call the Police and Animal Control
It's important to call the police and animal control to create an official record of the incident. They will gather statements and information about the dog and its owner, so be sure to request a copy of the report for your files.
Collect Information and Evidence
Gather the dog owner's name and contact details, ask about the dog's vaccination history, and document everything with photos of your wounds, the dog, and where the bite happened. This information is crucial for both your medical treatment and for building a strong case if you decide to seek compensation.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a dog bite in Torrance, the compassionate lawyers at Golden Gate Legal can manage the intricate legal process on your behalf. They will handle communications with insurance adjusters and fight to secure the financial compensation you need for your recovery.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
If you've suffered a dog bite in Torrance, our team at Golden Gate Legal has years of experience handling these specific cases among many other personal injury proceedings. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us to represent you:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our duty is to ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to, without losing a single penny.
- 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.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You will not pay any legal fees unless we successfully win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is here for you 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 handle every step of your Torrance dog bite case so you can focus on what matters most—your healing. Here’s how our legal process works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We'll start with a free 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 communications 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'll send a detailed demand to the responsible party's insurance 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 to fight for the justice you deserve.
- You Get Paid: As soon as your case is won or settled, we handle the final details to get your compensation to you quickly so you can cover your expenses.
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 incident. These 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 try to undervalue your claim, which is why it's so important to have an experienced California personal injury attorney from Golden Gate Legal fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not a complete list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog's sharp teeth can create deep puncture wounds or ragged tears in the skin and underlying tissue, which can result in substantial bleeding, a serious risk of infection, a need for stitches, and often leave behind permanent scars.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
When a dog's teeth break the skin, the risk of infection is significant, as bacteria from the animal's mouth can cause serious issues ranging from localized abscesses to dangerous systemic conditions that require immediate medical care.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A severe bite, particularly in delicate areas like the face or hands, can damage the underlying nerves. This can lead to numbness, tingling, or lasting pain, and may even result in a permanent loss of function in the affected area if not treated promptly.
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
When a dog, especially a larger one, bites with significant force, it can crush underlying tissue and even break bones. Such injuries are serious, often presenting with deep bruising and swelling, and may necessitate surgical repair, splinting, or a course of physical therapy to restore function.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
In addition to physical harm, dog attacks can leave behind significant psychological scars, including anxiety, a lasting fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Children are especially susceptible to this trauma and may require counseling to help them recover and feel safe again.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Torrance
To better understand how to prevent these incidents, here are some of the major causes for dog bites in Torrance:
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
If a dog is caught by surprise by a sudden noise or action, it may bite out of a natural instinct to protect itself from what it perceives as a threat.
Territorial Behavior
A dog might consider its home, yard, or even its owner to be its territory, and it may bite if a stranger comes too close and is seen as a threat.
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
If a dog is guarding something important to them, whether it's a toy, their food bowl, or a person, they may bite out of instinct if you try to take it away.
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?
For our Torrance clients, there are no upfront costs for personal injury representation. We only collect a fee if we successfully win or settle your case, meaning there is absolutely no financial risk for you to get started.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law is quite clear thanks to Civil Code § 3342. This rule, known as “strict liability,” means a dog’s owner is responsible for injuries from a bite, regardless of whether the dog had a history of aggression or the owner was negligent. You typically don’t need to prove the owner was careless, only that the bite occurred and caused you harm.
However, there are exceptions. An owner’s liability could be reduced or even eliminated if the injured person was trespassing or provoked the dog. Because the context of the situation is so important, navigating a dog bite claim in Torrance requires understanding these specific nuances.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
Under California's statute of limitations, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit for a dog bite. This deadline is established by Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't file your claim within this two-year period, you will likely lose your right to sue, and your case will probably be dismissed.
However, there's a special rule for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year clock doesn't start ticking until they reach 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, insurance companies must follow a set timeline after you file a claim. Within 15 days of you reporting the incident, they need to acknowledge your claim and begin their investigation. From the day they receive all your required documentation, they have 40 days to decide whether to accept or reject your claim.
Once a claim is approved, the company is required to issue payment within 30 days. This means that, according to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the whole settlement process should be wrapped up in 85 days from the time you provide all the necessary proof.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Torrance, a dog owner is responsible for a bite even if their dog was on a leash and had never shown aggression before. As long as you were legally present where the bite happened, the owner can be held liable under California law.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
For our clients in Torrance, our first step is to understand your unique situation and provide the support you need. We also help evaluate the full extent of your injuries, which can include connecting you with the right medical specialists to ensure you get proper care.
While you concentrate on healing, we take on the legal burden. Our team will fight to secure the compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and overall journey 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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