West Covina Dog Bites Lawyer
Injured by a dog bite in West Covina? The dog bite attorneys at Golden Gate Legal can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
A dog bite can be a deeply traumatic experience, leaving both physical and emotional scars that take time to heal. If you are seeking legal representation for a dog bite incident in the West Covina area, we encourage you to contact us at the number below.
Golden Gate Legal has extensive experience representing victims of dog bites in West Covina, helping them navigate the path to recovery and compensation. This article will provide clear direction on what to do after a bite, give an overview of the legal process, and address common questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in West Covina
If you've unfortunately been bitten by a dog in West Covina, it's crucial to take the following steps:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your immediate priority is to move away from the animal to avoid any further attacks. Once you are in a safe place in West Covina, carefully assess yourself and anyone with you for injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
It's crucial to get medical help right away, so either call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room. Prompt medical care is essential for preventing infection and other complications, while also creating a formal record of the incident.
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
Exchange contact and insurance information with the owner, confirm the dog is up-to-date on its shots, and take clear photos of your injuries, the animal, and the scene of the incident. This evidence is vital for ensuring you receive proper medical care and for substantiating any future claim.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
After a dog bite in West Covina, navigating the next steps can be overwhelming, which is where seeking legal guidance becomes crucial. The dedicated team at Golden Gate Legal will manage the intricate legal process and negotiate with insurers on your behalf, ensuring you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.
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 residents in West Covina. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm to represent you:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: We work to ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to, without a penny lost.
- We Will Protect You At All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests while providing the legal and emotional support you need.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case, so there is no financial risk to you.
- We Are Available At All Times: Our team is available 24/7 to provide guidance and support from the beginning to the end of your case.
We encourage you to see what our past clients have to say by checking out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of the legal process for our clients in West Covina, so you can focus on what matters most—your healing:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a free consultation to discuss the details of your dog bite incident, answer your questions, and assess the viability of your case.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our legal team meticulously gathers crucial evidence like medical bills, photos, and witness testimonies, and then handles all communications and filings with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We can help coordinate your medical care and will monitor your recovery progress to ensure your case accurately reflects the full extent of your injuries.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once you have completed treatment, we compile a detailed demand package and aggressively negotiate with the dog owner's insurance company to secure the maximum settlement on your behalf.
- Litigation (if necessary): If the opposing party is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, our trial attorneys are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
- You Get Paid: After a successful resolution, we finalize all the necessary paperwork to ensure you receive your compensation check as quickly as possible.
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 damages you've suffered as a result 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 try to undervalue claims to protect their profits, which makes it important to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are the types of injuries we typically handle in our cases:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog’s sharp teeth can create deep puncture wounds or ragged tears that break the skin and damage the underlying tissue. Such injuries often bleed profusely, have a high potential for infection, may need sutures, and can result in permanent scarring.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
When a dog bite pierces the skin, it can transfer bacteria from the animal's mouth deep into the tissue, which may result in significant infections and damage to the surrounding area.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
When a bite is severe enough to pierce deep into the skin, particularly on the face or hands, it can harm the nerves below. Such damage can lead to a loss of feeling, tingling, pain, or even a lasting inability to use the affected area if it doesn't receive proper medical attention.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Scars are a frequent result of dog bites, and they can be especially distressing when on visible areas like the face or hands. If the bite causes substantial tissue damage, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery might be needed to repair the injury and lessen any long-term disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
The immense pressure from a dog bite, especially from a larger dog, can crush bones and soft tissue, causing fractures and joint injuries. These serious wounds are usually accompanied by intense swelling and bruising and often necessitate treatments like surgery, splints, or physical rehabilitation to heal properly.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The scars from a dog bite aren't always visible; the attack can leave deep emotional wounds like a lasting fear of dogs, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is especially true for children, who may need professional counseling to help them recover and feel safe again.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in West Covina
Most dog bite incidents in West Covina can be traced back to a handful of major causes:
Lack of Proper Training
A dog that lacks sufficient training or socialization may not cope well with unfamiliar situations, causing it to bite out of fear or disorientation.
Fear or Startling
A dog that is startled by a sudden movement or an unexpected touch may bite purely out of reflex, reacting to a perceived danger.
Territorial Behavior
A dog might view its home, yard, or even its owner as territory to be defended, and may bite if it feels a person is encroaching on that space.
Rough Play
When play gets too physical, a dog can feel threatened and may bite or snap in an attempt to defend itself against a perceived danger.
Protective Instincts
A dog's protective instincts can cause them to guard things they value, like food or toys, and they might bite if you try to take the object away.
Pain or Illness
When a dog is sick or injured, it may bite if startled or handled because it anticipates that touch will cause more pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our West Covina clients, there are no out-of-pocket costs to begin your personal injury case. We don't get paid unless you do, through a win or settlement, so you can pursue justice without financial worry.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
California operates under a "strict liability" law for dog bites, as outlined in Civil Code § 3342. This means a dog's owner is responsible for injuries from a bite, even if the dog had never shown aggression before or the owner wasn't negligent. Typically, you do not have to prove the owner was careless, only that the bite occurred and caused you harm.
However, an owner's responsibility can be reduced or dismissed if the victim was trespassing on their property or provoked the animal. The specific circumstances of the incident are very important, and this holds true for dog bite claims throughout the state, including here in West Covina.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
Under California law, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a claim or lawsuit, as specified in Civil Code § 335.1. It's crucial to act within this timeframe, because if you miss it, your case will almost certainly be thrown out, even with clear evidence of the owner's liability.
For victims who were under 18 when the bite occurred, the rule is different. The two-year deadline doesn't begin 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, once you file a claim, your insurance company has 15 days to acknowledge it and begin its investigation. After you provide all the required documentation for your proof of claim, they then have 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny it.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they are required to send payment within 30 days. According to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, this means the entire settlement process should generally be completed within 85 days from start to finish.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. Even in West Covina, a dog owner is responsible for a bite whether the dog was leashed or had a clean past. Under California law, if you were lawfully present when the bite happened, the owner is liable.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal, our first step is to hear your story and make sure you feel supported. For our West Covina clients, knowing you have a team on your side is crucial. We also help determine the full scope of your injuries, which can mean connecting you with the right doctors for your care.
While you concentrate on healing, we take on the legal burden. Our goal is to secure the compensation you need to cover 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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