As the victim of a dog bite in Sacramento, California, it’s important to explore your legal rights and options. There’s a good chance the dog’s owner will be liable for your injuries, and other parties could be on the hook for your damages, too. However, getting money from a dog owner, an insurance company, or a government agency is often more challenging than it should be. The Sacramento dog bite injury attorneys at Singleton Schreiber can help you maximize your fight for compensation.
Singleton Schreiber is a nationally acclaimed personal injury law firm with experienced injury lawyers in Sacramento that have helped injury victims and families win over $2.5 billion in monetary awards. We’re known as fearless advocates who passionately defend our client’s best interests.
When your life changes after a dog attack, you can count on our local lawyers and national resources to help you make things right. Contact our Sacramento, CA, law office to set a time for a complimentary case evaluation today.
Is California a One Bite State?
Some states have a one-bite rule in place that protects dog owners the first time their pet attacks another person. While an owner can be liable if their negligence contributes to a dog bite, they’re not strictly liable for the first attack. Liability only attaches when the owner has knowledge (or should have knowledge) of the dog’s vicious propensities.
California is not a one-bite state. Rather, under Section 3342 of the state’s civil code, California dog owners are strictly liable for dog bites regardless of the dog’s history of aggression.
Liability for a dog bite victim’s injuries attaches as long as the victim:
- Was bitten while lawfully on private property or in public, and
- Did not provoke the animal.
Dog owners can also be liable for a dog bite if their negligence contributes to an attack, such as violating Sacramento’s leash laws.
How Do I Win a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Sacramento?
It depends. You may have the ability to sue several parties after a dog bite in Sacramento. The legal grounds for your case - and what you might have to prove - will depend on who’s at fault.
When you file a dog bite lawsuit against a dog’s owner, your claim will likely be based on strict liability.
You’ll need to prove:
- The dog was under the control of the defendant
- The dog bit you
- You’ve suffered injuries as a result of the dog bite
That’s it. There’s no need to prove that the dog’s owner was careless in taking care of or controlling the animal. It may, however, be necessary to prove that you didn’t provoke the dog to safeguard your claim.
There are also times when dog bite cases are matters of premises liability. In these situations, the owner of the premises where you were bitten by the dog could potentially be liable for your injuries. In California, property owners have an obligation to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition. If the owner knows (or should know) that there’s a dangerous dog on the premises, they have a duty to protect you from foreseeable harm. Failing to do so can result in liability if you’re attacked.
When you file a dog bite lawsuit against a property owner, you’ll need to prove they were negligent:
- The defendant owed or was in control of the premises
- The owner, with actual or constructive knowledge of a vicious dog on the premises, did not take appropriate steps to warn you or restrain the dog
- You were bitten because of the property owner’s inaction, and
- You’ve suffered damages - such as medical bills, a loss of income, or chronic physical pain
Don’t stress out about who’s responsible for your dog bite injuries or how to win your legal claim for damages. Focus on your recovery and count on our award-winning California dog bite attorneys in Sacramento to handle your legal claim with the skill, resources, and experience needed to win.
Dog Bites Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Every year, hundreds of people are bitten by dogs across Sacramento. In fact, Sacramento ranks 16th in the nation for mail carrier dog bites, making the city one of the most dangerous when it comes to animal attacks.
The injuries that dogs inflict can be life-changing.
Commonly reported trauma includes:
- Puncture wounds
- Broken bones
- Infections
- Lacerations and cuts
- Bruising and contusions
- Amputation
- Eye injury
- Nerve damage
Once you’ve been attacked by a dog in Sacramento, it’s important to report the incident to the local police right away. Given the violent nature of dog bite wounds, you’ll also want to get to the closest emergency room for prompt medical care. The sooner your injuries are treated, the better the odds of making a complete physical recovery.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Sacramento?
When you file a claim for insurance benefits or a personal injury lawsuit in California, you’ll have the opportunity to recover compensatory damages for:
- Corrective and/or plastic surgery, hospitalization, medication, medical devices, and other medical bills
- Lost wages and disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Nursing assistance
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Funeral expenses if a dog bite is fatal
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Inconvenience
Punitive damages can potentially be awarded if your dog bite lawsuit goes to trial. A jury is empowered to award these additional damages when there’s clear proof of a defendant’s gross negligence or malice.
Why Dog Bite Victims in Sacramento Trust Singleton Schreiber
Getting bitten by a dog is traumatizing. Your physical injuries may be incredibly painful and change the way you live your life - now and potentially for the foreseeable future. While you may have the right to sue the dog’s owner (and other parties), you’ll face resistance at every turn.
Hiring an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer can make your life easier and help you force better results.
When you trust Singleton Schreiber to be your advocate, it means working with top-rated California trial attorneys with decades of experience handling complex dog bite disputes. We’re recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and other nationally acclaimed organizations for our client-driven strategies and consistent track record of success.
Now, we’re here to handle all aspects of your dog bite lawsuit so that you can begin to move on with your life. You’ll have a limited time to assert your rights, so it’s important to act quickly. Once the two-year statute of limitations expires, you’ll lose the right to demand compensation from a dog’s owner or another liable party.
Call our Sacramento law office to schedule a free consultation and discuss your dog bite lawsuit today.
