I’ve Been Bitten by a Dog—What Now?
Dogs are known as man’s best friend, but what happens when they turn on you? Whether it’s from a neighbor’s dog running loose, a close friend’s trusted canine companion, or a new visitor at the dog park, a dog bite can be extremely dangerous. Not only can it cause illness or permanent injury, it may leave you with significant mental trauma.
Dog bite claims can be more difficult than other types of personal injury claims. Pet owners are often fiercely protective of their pets, to the point of denying the bite completely and trying to avoid being turned in. That’s why you need an aggressive attorney that delivers, no matter how difficult the other party is. DeWitt Algorri & Algorri has a long track record of wins for clients, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Find out what we can do for you as you recover from your bite. Call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to talk to a team member and set up a free consultation now.
Your Next Steps
There are several things you must do to protect yourself after you’ve been attacked by a dog. We recommend:
- Identify the dog who bit you and who it belongs to. Remember any identifying details, such as special marking on the dog’s face, the collar it’s wearing, and its general size. Get the owner’s name and contact information. If they don’t cooperate, you should call the police. Assuming that they do cooperate, you should also ask for proof of rabies vaccination directly from their vet. If the dog is not up-to-date on vaccines, you could have to go through rabies shots yourself.
- Report the bite. Orange County Animal Control, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, San Bernardino Animal Care and Control, and Riverside County Department of Animal Services may also help you get information on the dog’s vaccination status and bite history. This can be difficult, since the dog owner may ask you not to notify Animal Control. However, you must protect yourself.
- Seek medical attention. Dogs’ mouths have a terrifying variety of bacteria that we do not have in our bodies, and exposure to these bacteria could make you very, very ill. You will want to get checked out immediately. On top of that, deep bites can cause permanent damage and scarring. Prompt treatment can help.
- Talk to an attorney. Dog bites can be expensive, especially if you need rabies shots, stitches, or other treatments. An attorney can help you recover what you have lost.
What California Law Says About Dog Bites
California is not what is known as a “one-bite” state. In some states, you can only seek compensation for a dog bite if the dog has previously bitten someone and is known to be potentially dangerous. Luckily for you, you can seek compensation in California even if the dog has no prior history of aggressive behavior. As long as you were bitten in a public place or in a private place where you were permitted to be, you can seek compensation under California law. Furthermore, if the dog has a history of biting people, the owner can be compelled to protect the public by keeping the dog indoors at all times, having the dog euthanized, or otherwise preventing the dog from having access to anyone.
Seeking Compensation
Your personal injury attorney can help you fight for compensation for your dog bite. In most cases, medical expenses make up the bulk of the compensation received by victims. The cost of an emergency room or urgent care visit, surgical treatment, antibiotics, and potentially rabies shots can add up to thousands of dollars, and you shouldn’t be left shouldering the burden on your own. In most cases, a dog owner’s property insurance will be responsible for paying a settlement. If the dog’s owner is a renter or does not have property insurance that covers their pet’s actions, you may have to go after their assets and income for compensation. This isn’t always a valid option if the owner does not have assets or is insolvent. The sooner you talk to a dog bite lawyer, the sooner you can find out what your options are.
Don’t Fight This Battle Alone—Turn to DeWitt Algorri & Algorri
Navigating a dog bite claim can be challenging, especially if you’re going up against an owner who is determined to protect their dog at all costs. Don’t do this on your own when the team at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri is ready to stand up for you. Set up a time to talk to our team now by calling us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) or filling out our online contact form.
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
