Oakland Dog Bite Liability Attorney - San Francisco Dog Bite Attorney
An attack by an animal can leave a victim with significant physical injuries and scarring, in addition to the emotional and cognitive impact that a traumatic experience can have. While many dogs are harmless, one bad experience with the wrong animal can be life-changing.
Dog bite lawsuits and settlements are different from other personal injury matters. As an attorney, I have successfully handled a wide variety of Bay Area dog bite cases involving both child and adult victims. Being intimately familiar with the myriad issues of liability, negligence and medical care that bear on many cases, I can help you determine what course of action to take in yours. I have settled many dog bite claims against insurance companies, and I have successfully gone to litigation in dog bite cases. Contact me to discuss your options.
Understanding and Leveraging the California Laws That Govern Dog Bites
In general, California laws strongly favor victims in dog bite cases. In some situations, including many dog bites that occur in public areas, a strict liability applies to the dog owner, meaning that the owner is held liable for the actions of the dog, even if the dog is on a leash, and even if the dog has no history of viciousness.
Dog bites that occur on private residential or commercial property, including the property of a dog owner, may bring other legal issues into play; for example, a commercial property owner or landlord may be held liable for an attack that occurred on their property, or a homeowner may argue that a child's trespassing caused a dog bite.
Dog Bites Suffered By Children
The majority of dog bite victims are children. There are specific laws and medical considerations that apply to children in these cases. Very often, the defense argues that the bitten child provoked the animal, that the child's parents neglected to adequately supervise the child or that the child was trespassing on the dog owner's property.
If your child has been bitten by a dog, I can help you make sense of these difficult matters, as well as the medical issues involved, such as future costs for treatment of scarring.
Contact me for help with your case. In many situations, no fee will be required unless and until a settlement or decision is reached.