If you or someone you love suffered critical injuries after a dog attack or bite, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Dog owners have an obligation to maintain control over their animals at all times. Failure to do so could be considered negligence and leave them open to liability.
While you recuperate from your injuries, get the personal injury legal support you need when you need it most. Reach out to an experienced Thousand Oaks dog bite lawyer at The Simmrin Law Group for a free consultation today to learn more about how the claims process works, the value of your damages, and start to rebuild your life.
Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries in Thousand Oaks
The injuries people suffer when they are attacked or bit by a dog are often devastating. When dogs get out of control, they have the potential to cause life-threatening or permanent injuries. However, it is important to remember the type of injury you are dealing with will not necessarily determine whether you have grounds for a claim.
What matters is how significantly your life has been impacted by the dog bite or attack itself and the injuries you suffered. With that being said, we see certain types of dog bite injuries more often in Thousand Oaks, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Septic shock from dog bite lacerations
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety disorder
- Broken and fractured bones
- Back injuries
- Neck trauma
- Slipped discs
- Herniated discs
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limbs
If you are dealing with any other type of injuries you sustained due to a dog attack or bite, do not hesitate to contact a dog bite attorney at The Simmrin Law Group to find out what legal options may be available to you.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Thousand Oaks, call (310) 896-2723
California Dog Bite Laws
In some states, if a dog has never attacked or bit someone or otherwise shown a propensity towards violence, the dog’s owner may be able to avoid liability under what is commonly referred to as the “one bite rule.” Here, dog owners may not be found responsible for the actions of their pets since they allegedly did not have reason to believe their animal was a threat to the public.
However, California is a strict liability state. We do not follow the one-bite rule here. Instead, whether a dog has bit or attacked or otherwise shown signs of aggression is irrelevant. What matters is that the dog’s owner lost control of the animal.
Pet owners have an obligation to maintain control of their dogs at all times. When they lose control, and the animal is let loose and subsequently attacks or bites someone, the dog’s owner will be held accountable for the victim’s damages.
Thousand Oaks Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Provocation in Thousand Oaks Dog Bite Cases
There are multiple instances in which you could find it more challenging to recover the compensation you are owed in your dog bite case. California follows pure comparative negligence laws. This means when injury victims are partially responsible for the injuries they suffered, they can still recover compensation for their losses at a reduced rate.
In dog bite cases, injury victims may be accused of provoking the dog or trespassing on the dog owner’s property. Instances of provocation could include any number of behaviors, such as:
- Kicking the dog
- Throwing things at the dog
- Growling at the dog
- Making loud noises at the dog
- Punching or hitting the dog
- Acting aggressively toward the dog
When injury victims are trespassing, committing a crime, or provoking the dog into acting aggressively, the dog’s owner will likely argue they should not be found liable for the victim’s injuries. However, due to pure comparative fault laws, you may still be entitled to compensation for your damages.
Expect your settlement to reflect a shared fault deduction that amounts to your percentage of blame. For instance, if your child accidentally stepped on the dog’s tail which resulted in the dog attacking them, the judge might find your child 5% at fault. This means you would only recover 95% of your awarded settlement. If you are unsure how your case will be affected by allegations of shared liability, you can discuss your concerns in greater detail with your dog bite attorney in Thousand Oaks, CA.
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How to Recover the Compensation You Are Owed
There are multiple ways you can recover compensation following a dog bite or attack. Two of the most popular ways include filing a claim with the insurance company or bringing your case to trial. Most dog owners will have renters insurance or homeowners insurance coverage in place that allows you to file a claim with their insurance provider.
However, many insurance policies exclude certain breeds of dogs. This means insurance may not cover your damages. The dog owner also may not have insurance coverage in place. If this happens, the only way to recover compensation for your losses will be to file a dog bite lawsuit against them in civil court.
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How Much You Could Be Awarded in Your Dog Bite Claim
You have the right to be made whole. You should receive fair compensation for your damages when you are attacked by a dog. Some of the most common types of economic and non-economic damages available for dog bite victims include:
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of household services
- Skin scarring
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Embarrassment and indignity
- Damage to your reputation
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of income
- Medical bills and future healthcare costs
Connect with a Dog Bite Lawyer in Thousand Oaks, CA Today
The thought of going to court or dealing with an insurance company can seem overwhelming while you are recuperating from your injuries. Fortunately, you do not need to go through this process alone.
With a knowledgeable and dedicated Thousand Oaks dog bite attorney at the Simmrin Law Group working for you, you can rest easier while we work tirelessly to build a powerful case against the dog’s owner or other liable parties. When you are ready to take back control of your life, contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can get started as soon as today by calling our office or filling out our quick contact form.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form