Torrance Dog Bites Lawyer
Looking for a dog bite attorney in Torrance? The team at Golden Gate Legal helps victims of dog attacks get the compensation they deserve.
A dog bite can be a deeply traumatic experience, leaving both physical and emotional scars that take time to heal. If you are looking for legal representation in the Torrance area, our team is ready to help; please contact us at (555) 555-5555.
At Golden Gate Legal, we have years of experience successfully representing clients in dog bite cases throughout Torrance. This article will guide you on what to do immediately after a bite, provide an overview of the legal process, and address the common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Torrance
If a dog bites you in Torrance, it's important to take the following steps to protect your health and your rights:
Make Sure You're Safe
The most important first step is to move away from the animal to a place where you feel secure. From a safe location in Torrance, you can then check yourself and anyone with you for any injuries from the bite.
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
Reporting the bite to the police and local animal control ensures the event is properly documented. Officials will gather statements and information about the dog and its owner, and you should always request a copy of the report for your own files.
Collect Information and Evidence
If possible, get the owner's contact and insurance details, ask about the dog's vaccination history, and take photos of your injuries, the animal, and the location where the bite occurred. This information is crucial for your immediate health and for properly documenting the incident for any future claim.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a dog bite in Torrance, navigating the legal process can be overwhelming. The dedicated team at Golden Gate Legal is here to manage your case, from negotiating with insurers to ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
At Golden Gate Legal, we have dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury claims for clients in Torrance. 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 make sure you recover all damages you are legally entitled to.
- We Will Protect You At All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery while we take care of the rest.
- 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: Our team is always available to answer your questions and provide support throughout your case.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials to see what others have to say.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of your Torrance personal injury case 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 meeting to listen to your story, review the details of the dog attack, and assess the strength of your case.
- 2. Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team gathers all crucial evidence, such as medical reports and witness testimony, and handles all the paperwork and communications with insurance companies for you.
- 3. Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, we help coordinate your medical care and monitor your progress to ensure your case fully reflects the extent of your injuries.
- 4. Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your treatment is complete, we build a detailed demand package and negotiate with the dog owner's insurance company to secure the highest possible settlement on your behalf.
- 5. Litigation (if necessary): If the other side refuses to offer a fair settlement, our experienced trial attorneys are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
- 6. You Get Paid: After your case is successfully resolved, we finalize all the paperwork to make sure you receive your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages without delay.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
Under California law, individuals injured in a dog attack have the right to seek financial compensation for the damages they've incurred from the incident. Compensatory damages for dog bites in California are intended to cover a wide range of losses and 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, making it essential to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal fighting for your rights.
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
When a dog bites, its sharp teeth can cause deep puncture wounds or create jagged tears in the skin known as lacerations. These injuries can damage the tissue below the surface, often leading to significant bleeding, a high chance of infection, the need for stitches, and the potential for lasting scars.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
A dog bite that breaks the skin can introduce bacteria from the animal's mouth into the body, potentially causing anything from a painful localized abscess to a dangerous infection that spreads systemically.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A bite that penetrates deep enough to strike a nerve can cause serious issues, especially in vulnerable areas like the hands and face. This can lead to numbness, tingling sensations, or even a permanent loss of use in the affected body part if not treated properly.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Severe dog attacks can leave behind lasting scars, especially on visible areas like the hands and face, sometimes requiring cosmetic or reconstructive procedures to address the disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
The sheer force of a bite, particularly from a larger dog, can crush or fracture bones and damage soft tissues, resulting in serious injuries that may call for surgery, splinting, or a lengthy rehabilitation process.
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 Torrance
Dog bites in Torrance often stem from a few key situations that every resident should be aware of:
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 because it's scared or disoriented.
Fear or Startling
If a dog is startled by an unexpected touch or a sudden appearance, its immediate reaction might be to bite out of pure reflex.
Territorial Behavior
A dog's natural instinct to protect its home, yard, or owner can result in a bite if they feel threatened by someone getting too close.
Rough Play
When play becomes too rough, a dog can feel scared or threatened, sometimes causing it to lash out to make the perceived danger stop.
Protective Instincts
Many dogs have a natural urge to protect their belongings, such as their food or a specific person. This guarding behavior can lead to a bite if the dog feels its valued item is at risk of being taken.
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 our Torrance clients, there are no initial costs for personal injury representation. We only receive payment after we secure a win or settlement for you, eliminating any financial risk on your part.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
Even if a dog's owner denies responsibility, California operates under a 'strict liability' rule. This means the owner is generally held responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the animal had a history of aggression or the owner was negligent. In most cases, you don't have to prove the owner was careless, only that their dog bit you and you were injured.
However, there are exceptions. An owner's liability might be lessened or even dismissed if the injured person was trespassing on private property or provoked the dog. Because the specific circumstances are crucial, consulting with a legal expert in Torrance can help clarify your rights.
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 dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is set by Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't file your claim within this two-year period, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation, even if the dog's owner was clearly negligent. For victims who are minors when the bite happens, the rule is different; the two-year statute of limitations doesn't begin until they turn 18.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you've notified your insurance provider about a claim, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and begin their investigation. After you submit all the required documentation, the clock starts again, giving them 40 days to evaluate your case and decide whether to accept or deny the claim.
If your claim gets the green light, the insurance company must send your payment within 30 days of that approval. All told, California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations dictate that the entire settlement process should wrap up within a maximum of 85 days.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Torrance, it doesn't matter if the dog was on a leash or had a perfect history with no prior aggression. The owner is still considered responsible as long as you were lawfully on the property when the bite happened.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal, we start by getting to know you and the specifics of your case right here in Torrance. Our first step is to listen and grasp the full impact of your accident, ensuring you feel heard and supported. We'll also evaluate the extent of your injuries and can connect you with medical experts to ensure you receive the best possible care.
Your main job is to heal; our job is to manage all the legal complexities. We will fight on your behalf to obtain the financial compensation you are entitled to, covering everything from your medical bills and lost wages to your pain 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.
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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