West Hills Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bites can lead to serious physical and emotional injuries. If someone else’s dog bit you, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden caused by their carelessness. The West Hills dog bite lawyers at Younglove Law Firm can help you make a legal claim to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Contact us today at (602) 737-3333 for your free and confidential case review.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can lead to severe physical and financial injuries, including the following:

• Head and neck injuries
• Nerve and tissue damage
• Facial injuries
• Fractured or dislocated bones
• Avulsion injuries
• Broken, punctured, or torn skin
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other psychological injuries
• Rabies and the contraction of other diseases

Dog bites can even be fatal in some instances, contact our West Hills personal injury attorneys to discuss your injuries.

Are California Dog Owners Liable if Their Dog Bites Me?

California is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under this rule, dog owners are liable for the damages their dog causes if the dog bit someone lawfully on the property. Lawful presence on the property can be conferred by invitation, being on public property, or while performing official duties.

If strict liability does not apply, you could still have a claim against the dog owner based on negligence. This would require showing that the dog owner knew or should have known the dog was vicious based on past contact and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the dog bite. Proving negligence is more difficult than simply showing the dog bite occurred while you were lawfully on the property and may require evidence such as:

• Reports of previous dog bites
• Eyewitness statements
• Photos or videos of the attack and the conditions on the property that allowed the dog to bite
• Animal control reports

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Long Does a Dog Bite Claim Take?

Every dog bite claim is different, so each one can take a different amount of time. The potential time it takes to resolve your claim will depend on many different factors, such as:

• The nature and severity of your injuries
• The duration of your medical treatment
• Whether any of your injuries are permanent
• Your doctor’s instructions
• Whether your claim is settled through an insurance claim or involves litigation
• Whether you are represented by an experienced lawyer

In any event, your lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the injury to comply with the state’s statute of limitations. Otherwise, you can lose your opportunity to recover compensation for the harm you suffered. An experienced dog bite lawyer can help you assemble the evidence you need to advance your claim.

Reach Out to Our Experienced West Hills Dog Bite Lawyer for Legal Assistance

If you were injured because of a dog bite, an experienced West Hills dog bite lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Attorney Doug Younglove is a trial lawyer with more than 35 years of experience. Contact us today at (602) 737-3333 for your free case review.