San Diego Dog Bite Lawyers
A dog attack can leave long-lasting emotional and physical scars. You may feel unsafe visiting friends, walking around your neighborhood, or even leaving your home. A California Department of Health study revealed that boys under 10 are the most frequent dog bite victims, followed by older adults. Children often suffer dog bite injuries to the head, face, and neck, and they account for 70 percent of dog bite fatalities worldwide, according to the World Animal Foundation.
Arthritis, frailty, and other conditions make it difficult for senior citizens to escape dog attacks, and they are more easily injured. However, an animal attack can cause serious injuries to people of all ages.
California dog bite victims are often unaware of their rights. Our experienced San Diego dog bite lawyers have over 500 years of combined experience, and we can advise you of your legal options and help you pursue compensation. If you or a loved one was injured in a dog attack, contact us online today or call (800) 800-0000 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Trust The Barnes Firm with Your San Diego Dog Bite Case?
An animal attack can leave you with permanent scars, post-traumatic stress disorder, and mounting medical bills. You may be unable to go to work or enjoy life as you did before the attack. You deserve compensation for these impacts.
We are an experienced dog bite law firm in San Diego with locations throughout California and an unparalleled record of success. When you choose us, you receive personalized service and 24/7 support. Unlike many firms that pass clients off to a clerk or paralegal, you will have direct contact with your attorney.
Our legal team thoroughly knows California dog bite laws and San Diego city ordinances, so we are ready to help you get the best result possible.
Our attorneys have strong relationships with local judges, lawyers, and insurance companies so that we can handle your case efficiently. We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless you get paid.
What Our Clients Have To Say
- “Allen R. Oghassabian was the absolute best! He worked very hard to get our family the best settlement possible—A real bulldog! I’m proud and very happy to have had him handling our case”.
Jim W. - “Allen was amazing to work with! As a busy college student, I thought the whole process was going to be a hassle, but he made the process so much easier. He was always patient, explained everything in a way that made sense, and kept me updated the entire time. I felt like he genuinely cared about my case and worked hard to get me the best outcome possible. I’m so grateful for his help and would definitely recommend him to anyone needing a personal injury attorney!”
Nadir A.
How Can a San Diego Dog Bite Lawyer Help You?
Our San Diego dog and animal bite attorneys can handle your legal details while you focus on recovery. Our attorneys will work around the clock to do the following:
- Review your case: We will perform a free case review and provide an honest assessment of your case.
- Investigate the incident: We will interview witnesses, analyze medical reports, and recreate the incident to establish what happened.
- Identify the liable parties: We will find the animal’s owner and determine whether any other parties, such as a caretaker or landlord, share blame.
- File your claim: We will calculate your damages, file your insurance claim, and if necessary, file a civil lawsuit.
- Negotiate a settlement: We will negotiate the settlement you deserve and refuse to accept less.
- Take your case to trial: If the responsible parties refuse to pay full compensation, we will be ready to present a compelling case to a jury.
We are dedicated to giving our clients a voice and presence in and out of the courtroom. You can trust that your case is in good hands at The Barnes Firm.
Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in San Diego
You may be entitled to substantial economic and non-economic damages for your dog bite injuries. Economic damages are compensation for the monetary costs associated with the dog attack injuries, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- property damage
Non-economic damages are compensation for the subjective costs of the injuries, such as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of society
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The amount you recover will depend on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, the degree of your pain and suffering, and the unique facts of your case. To ensure you get the best results possible, work with a reputable attorney who has experience handling San Diego dog bite cases. When you choose The Barnes Firm, you will have passion and experience on your side. All of our San Diego personal injury attorneys care about your outcome and are committed to obtaining the best result possible through relentless advocacy.
Get Help From a San Diego Dog Bite Attorney Near You Today
An animal attack can change your life forever, and San Diego dog owners are responsible for the harm their pets cause when they attack. Our experienced San Diego dog bite attorneys are dedicated to helping you get the best results possible. We have recovered over $2.5 billion in compensation for injured clients and are ready to fight just as hard for you.
The initial consultation is free, and we charge no fees unless you get paid. Contact us online or call (800) 800-0000 now for a free consultation.
Our team of attorneys want to hear from you.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, construction accident, or have suffered another type of personal injury contact our team today.
Free Case Evaluation or call us: (800) 800-0000Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego Dog Bite Claims
You generally have up to two years after the incident to file a dog bite lawsuit under the California personal injury statute of limitations. However, you should contact a dog bite lawyer in San Diego County as soon as possible. Your attorney will need time to investigate and build your case. The insurance company will know if you are up against a deadline, which can work against you.
Once the statute of limitations passes, you usually lose your opportunity to seek justice. You can only sue after the statute of limitations expires in very limited circumstances, such as in cases involving minors or legal disability.
If you wait too long to contact an attorney, you could hurt your case even if the statute of limitations has not expired. The most important evidence may only be available for a short time. Video footage may be erased, eyewitnesses may become unavailable or forget important details, and forensic data could fade. Don’t wait to contact an attorney at The Barnes Firm. We are always available to take your call, even after hours and on weekends.
Dog bite cases commonly involve dogs and owners the victim knows, and we have decades of experience handling such scenarios. We can often start with a homeowner’s insurance claim. We will also search for other insurance policies belonging to you or the responsible party, such as umbrella or other insurance policies.
If the insurance companies fail to cooperate, we may be able to get you and the owner into the same room and mediate an agreement. Unfortunately, a lawsuit may be necessary if the responsible party and their insurer refuse to pay fair compensation. We understand how sensitive such a circumstance is and know what it takes to alleviate tension. We will advise you on how we think you should proceed, but it is always your decision whether to sue or accept a settlement.
ake immediate action to protect your health and your legal claim, including the following:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if the injuries do not seem serious. This allows you to rule out an infection, avoid medical complications, and document your injuries.
- Take photographs of the injuries right away, both before and after receiving medical care, if you can.
- Report the bite to the Department of Animal Services. San Diego County dog bite laws require dog owners to report when their dogs have bitten someone, then quarantine the dogs for ten days. Reporting the incident yourself ensures the owner follows through and the dog’s history is documented.
- Obtain contact information of any witnesses to help with your insurance claim and your lawsuit.
- Retain copies of any test results, medical reports, prescription records, and medical bills to document your economic damages.
- Gather pay stubs and time-off documentation from your employer if you missed work because of your injuries.
- Avoid posting on social media or discussing your injuries or the incident with others until your case is resolved.
- Contact our experienced San Diego dog bite injury lawyers as soon as possible.
You may still be entitled to compensation. California’s pure comparative negligence laws allow you to recover compensation if you are less than 100 percent at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault. For example, if you were 40 percent at fault and your damages were $100,000, your compensation would be reduced to $60,000.
It is easy to blame yourself for a dog attack, especially if you knew the dog. However, if you didn’t knowingly provoke the dog or trespass, you likely are not at fault. Never admit fault to the responsible party or their representatives. Our attorneys can investigate the incident and determine whether you were really at fault.
Written by The Barnes Firm, reviewed by Richard Barnes