A huge part of a dog owner’s responsibility is to protect others from attacks by their dog. But, even then, dog bite incidents are inevitable. So, a dog owner is also accountable (within limits defined by state law) for any harm that their dog might cause to other people.
In 2021, California alone received 2,026 dog bite cases out of 17,989 personal injury claims filed in the United States. According to Triple I, a leading home insurance company in the United States, this equates to $120.7 million in damages.
Additionally, and quite striking, it’s the highest number of dog bite lawsuits filed in a single state. With approximately 19,321 dogs living in Burbank, it’s not uncommon to witness dog attack incidents. Unsurprisingly, most of those cases proceed to trial.
Sure, you might try an out-of-court settlement or a do-it-yourself representation. But without an expert analysis of the long-term consequences, you will be less likely to be fairly compensated for injuries. Similarly, as a dog owner, the likelihood that the injured party negotiates more compensation than they deserve is high.
Are you looking for the best legal representation for a fatal dog attack incident in Burbank? At Adrianos Facchetti, we’re a top law firm in California with over 18 years of experience litigating personal injury cases in Burbank.
Whether a fatal or a non-fatal dog attack, our Burbank dog bite attorneys will aggressively fight for the best compensation for you or your family member. Call (626) – 793 – 8607 to schedule a free consultation with one of our top Burbank dog bite attorneys.
Why Call Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti After an Incident?
It’s a valid question. And we understand how crucial it’s for you to get a top dog bite lawyer when seeking compensation for dog bite injuries incurred. So here are aspects of our law firm that sets us apart from the others:
Highly specialized Burbank dog bite attorneys: While there is a broad range of personal injury cases that our law firm handles, we don’t take specialization for granted. Each dog bite injury claim is assigned to a specific dog bite attorney to prosecute it exhaustively. We don’t try to squeeze your case into other cases our attorneys might be dealing with or handle it on the side.
Unrivaled experience: While other Burbank law firms might tell you that they specialize in dog bite cases, most lack the expertise and experience that can match ours. Our founder, Adrianos Facchetti, has over 18 years of practical legal experience representing dog bite victims. Similarly, the legal team at our law office possesses a dozen years of practice and is well-versed in handling complex dog bite cases.
5-star rated law firm: We often obsess about getting our clients the results they deserve. And nothing speaks to this fact more than the tons of 5-star reviews we’ve received on Google, Yelp, and Avvo. We have won thousands of dollars in compensation for our clients over the years. And even professionals intimately involved in the justice system trust our lawyers to represent them in personal injury claims.
If you’re looking for the best Burbank dog bite attorney, the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti is your go-to legal counsel. Call our office for a free case evaluation.
Understanding Important California Dog Bite Incident Laws
Under California law, you can file your injury claims resulting from dog attacks within two years from the injury’s date. However, whether you have a claim for a dog bite injury or own a dog, you’ll need to understand California’s state law on pet owners’ civil and criminal liability when mounting a dog bite claim or defending against it.
Unlike some states, California follows the “strict liability” standard of fault concerning dog bite injury claims. Therefore, the dog owner is liable for damages caused, and they can’t argue that they didn’t know that their dog was capable of hurting someone.
Likewise, they can’t argue that they took measures to prevent their dog from attacking or that they had no reason to believe that the dog might be dangerous. In other words, there’s no necessity to prove the dog owner’s negligence during court proceedings.
Ultimately, a dog owner is strictly liable when the injured party was bitten and was at a public place or lawfully at a private place when the dog attacked.
However, there are specific scenarios that can excuse the dog owner’s liability, including:
1. The employer’s dog injured the victim while on duty
2. The injured person provoked the dog into biting them
3. The victim of a dog bite was trespassing which led to the attack
4. The victim is a veterinary officer or their assistant, and they were attending to the dog at the time of the attack
There’s also a law that incentivizes dog owners to put “reasonable measures” in place to “prevent” repeatable dog attacks. This means you can file a case against an animal owner whose dog has attacked people on separate occasions.
Under such law, a person may be criminally culpable for their dog’s ensuing attack. As a result, they may be charged with a misdemeanor if the injured person sustains minor injuries, or a felony if the person sustains fatal injuries.
Judges apply different norms and standards when making judgments for different dog bite claims. And that’s because every claim is different, including any applicable exceptions.
Injuries Resulting from Burbank Dog Bites
Dog bite injuries can vary from less traumatic ones to severe physical and emotional distress with other accompanying complications. Most dogs attack with their teeth and nails, with many victims being infants and children. Many dogs bite victims sustain common injuries such as:
• Fractures
• Soft tissue injury
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Lacerations and bruises
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Compensation You Can Receive After a Dog Bite Incident
There are different claims that victims of dog attacks can bring before the judge’s attention. For instance, delivery people and mail carriers mount a worker’s compensation claim. We recognize that most of you might not consider yourself as someone eligible for such a claim, but it’s valid under the law.
With the resulting injuries come hefty medical bills while undergoing medical treatment. You also need time to recover from the injuries incurred, resulting in lost wages if employed. And even more compelling there is the potential for lost earning capacity if the physical and psychological trauma becomes permanent. So all these factors are considered compensatory damages in the legal process.
Get a Free Consultation with an Expert Attorney in Burbank
Are you seeking an experienced lawyer for your dog bite incident in Burbank? We will help you navigate the legal process and secure compensation for damages. Our dog bite attorneys will also help you determine whether you can settle the case out of court or proceed to trial. Contact us today for a free consultation today.
