Getting Paid Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
Our team can also play a key role in getting a dog bite victim compensated financially for every form of harm their injuries will ever cause them to experience, including:
- Short-term and long-term medical bills
- Lost working and earning capacity
- Personal property damage and related expenses
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Psychological anguish and trauma
- Lost enjoyment of life and other intangible effects of permanent disfigurement/disability
Our dog bite lawyers in Bakersfield can help build and file the strongest possible claim within the applicable filing deadline, which California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 sets at two years after the date of initial injury for virtually all claims of this nature.
Is It Worth It To Sue for a Dog Bite?
Many dog bite victims may be reluctant to hire a Bakersfield attorney and sue for damages, particularly when their injuries are minor, and they did not experience significant pain or physical harm. They might be concerned that the legal process is long and complicated, and that they will need to spend hours with lawyers and in courtrooms before they recover any compensation.
If you are torn over whether to sue, our lawyers can help you make that decision at no cost to you. We will never push you to do anything against your interests and desires, and will respect your final decision without question. Before you make that decision, we can help you evaluate key issues, such as:
- Determining the seriousness of your injuries and whether you will need surgery or other ongoing medical services to remediate pain, scarring, and other long-term consequences of the bite
- Understanding how strict liability law will affect the outcome of a lawsuit
- Identifying all available insurance coverage that might reimburse you for your losses and injuries
- Calculating the full scope and extent of your dog bite-related financial harm, including lost wages, pain and suffering, and other non-economic damages
- Researching whether the dog has attacked anyone else previously, in which case filing a lawsuit may help to prevent future attacks by the same dog.
Our recommendations regarding whether you should sue will always be based on the specific facts of your case. If, for example, a dog attacked and injured your child, we would be more likely to recommend suing because of the potential implications of dog bite injuries on a child’s developing physical body. We would offer similar advice if you suffered nerve damage or other significant trauma, or the dog’s owner was grossly or willfully negligent.
Your Best Course of Action After You Were Bitten by a Dog
The first thing you should do after any dog bite is to get prompt medical care for your injuries. If possible, ask the dog’s owner for its vaccination record to verify that all of its shots are current. Prompt medical attention is critical to reduce the risk of infections and to create a record of how and when your injuries happened.
You should also file a report with the local police or animal control authorities. Law enforcement generally will not take the dog away from the owner, but it may require the dog to be quarantined for up to 10 days to verify that the dog does not pose a rabies risk. A police report will provide additional proof of the dog bite incident and your injuries if you elect to file a lawsuit.
If possible, get contact information from anyone who witnessed the incident, take photos of your injuries, and note the time and location where the attack occurred.
Last, consult with our dog bite lawyer in Bakersfield who can evaluate your injuries, answer all of your questions, and provide seasoned advice on your next actions.
Get Started Today
facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Linkedin
Youtube
Tiktok
600+ Google Reviews 
