Visalia Dog Bite Lawyer
Many people love having pets and treat their dogs and cats as treasured family members. However, no matter how much a dog is loved by its owners, it is still an animal capable of doing great harm to someone.
If you or your loved one sustained injuries after being attacked and bitten by a dog, a Visalia dog bite lawyer at Nelson, Rozier & Christenson could help. Our diligent local attorneys have successfully helped other survivors of dog attacks receive compensation for their injuries. We can meet with you to review the details of what happened and advise you on whether you have potentially viable grounds for pursuing a lawsuit.
Types of Injuries Caused by Dog Bites
When dogs attack people, they can cause significant injuries. Survivors of dog attacks often face the following:
- Cuts, puncture wounds, and lacerations that can cause extensive bleeding and disfiguring scars
- Broken bones, sprains, and strains from falling over
- Head injuries if pushed over by a dog
- Crush injuries
- Infections
- Nerve damage, which can lead to mobility impairment
When a dog bites a child, their wounds are often more severe. Children have less fear than adults and tend to run right up to dogs. Instead of approaching a dog cautiously and from the front, a child might run up from behind and startle it, pull its tail, or unintentionally cause the dog to lash out in self-defense. In addition, children are lower to the ground and smaller. While an adult is most likely to sustain bites to their legs, a child could experience severe bite marks to their face.
In addition to painful physical wounds, many survivors of dog bites also face debilitating emotional trauma. They often contend with incapacitating nightmares, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. Their fear of dogs can make leaving their house, going out in public, or visiting someone’s house with a dog almost impossible.
Our compassionate Visalia attorneys could advocate for a full damages award that fairly compensates you for everything the dog attack has cost you.
What Are the Relevant Dog Bite Laws?
Local laws are favorable to people bitten by dogs. According to California Civil Code § 3342, a dog’s owner is strictly liable for any damages suffered by someone bitten while in a public place or lawfully in a private place.
Unlike in other states, a dog bite survivor does not need to prove that the dog had a prior history of biting people or that the dog’s owner was aware that their dog was aggressive. To succeed in a claim, you only need to prove that you were lawfully in the location where the dog bite occurred. If you were trespassing when the attack happened, you might still be eligible to pursue a claim. However, strict liability would not apply, and you would likely need to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent.
Our dedicated Visalia legal team can use our knowledge of the laws to negotiate a settlement or pursue a damages award in court to cover your dog bite injury losses.
Call a Visalia Attorney About Your Dog Bite Case
Being bitten by a dog can be a terrifying and costly experience. Fortunately, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit to reimburse you for physical, emotional, and other losses resulting from the dog attack. A Visalia dog bite lawyer from Nelson, Rozier & Christenson could provide guidance and support. Call our dedicated team today to schedule a consultation with an attorney.