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Are you suffering with painful dog bites because a dog attacked you? Are you watching your child suffer because a neighbor’s dog attacked your child while he or she was playing in your yard? After getting immediate medication attention for the physical injuries, you are now dealing with the emotional pain and suffering as well as the financial damages from a vicious dog bite. You do not need to suffer alone. You have rights under California Dog Bite Laws.
Is California the dog bite capital of the United States? According to a story in the Los Angeles Times last year, “man’s best friend” cost insurance companies in our state over $64 million in dog bite claims. California led the United States last year in the cost of dog bite claims (1,919 claims in all). Have you or has a family member been attacked by a dog in California and suffered harm? If so, you may be wondering what you need to do regarding a claim. Your first priority is to seek immediate medical attention for your injuries and then seek legal counsel who has experience handling dog bite claims.
The Levinson Law Group, led by Gordon R. Levinson, has the experience you need to get the justice you and your family deserve for your injuries and damages. Mr. Levinson has represented insurance companies and he understands how they handle and process dog bite claims. Today, Mr. Levinson uses this knowledge and experience to fight for injured and aggrieved people against these big insurance companies. Put his knowledge and experience on your side to get the justice you deserve!
The Levinson Law Group (Personal Injury Law Firm) accepts cases on a contingent fee. That means that if there is no recovery in your case you pay no fee. Furthermore, in most cases, we even advance the costs. For your free consultation, call (760) 642-5475 today.
Compensation for Damages in Dog Bite Claims
No amount of money awarded in dog bite claims will undo the damage caused by dog bites. Dog bite victims suffer physical and emotional harm from dog attacks. However, the closest we can get to justice for your injuries is to hold the person responsible for the animal financially accountable by forcing the party to compensate you for your damages.
According to California’s dog bite laws, it is not required that the dog has a previous history of aggression, violence, or attacks for the owner of the dog to be held liable for damages. It is sufficient if a dog attacks and bites a person one time for the laws to apply and hold the owner responsible for any damages caused by the attack. If the victim was not trespassing, did not willfully provoke the dog, and the victim suffered damages, the victim can hold the owner of the dog liable for lost wages, medical bills, physical, pain, emotional suffering, and other compensatory damages.
Punitive Damages in Dog Bite Claims
In some dog bite claims, the victim may be entitled to receive punitive damages under California Civil Code §3294. Punitive damages are designed to “punish” a defendant when the evidence clearly shows that the defendant is “guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice.” In dog bite claims, if the victim can prove that the owner acted with malice, the victim may be entitled to receive punitive damages in addition to other damages. Punitive damages send a clear message to other dog owners that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. In dog bite claims where punitive damages are recovered, we hope it will encourage other dog owners to take steps to protect the public from a similar accident from occurring in the future.
Whether you need a Pit Bull lawyer near you in North County or Chihuahua counsel in Carlsbad, the dog attack lawyers at Levinson Law Group are here to help you as you fight big insurance companies and difficult dog owners to protect your rights under California dog bite laws. Gordon R. Levinson used to represent the largest insurers in North America. Now, he uses that knowledge and experience to fight for injured and aggrieved people. For your free consultation, call (760) 642-5475 today. We accept cases on a contingent fee. That means that if there is no recovery in your case, you pay no fee. And in most cases, we even advance the costs.
Dog Bite Settlements In San Diego
$10,000 Dog Bite Settlement in San Diego
In May 2024, Levinson Law Group secured a $10,000 settlement for a client who was bitten by a dog off-leash in San Diego, California. The client sustained a bite injury but did not require surgery.
Despite an initial offer of only $5,575, Levinson Law Group successfully negotiated a higher settlement to ensure the client was fairly compensated for their injury and the distress caused by the attack.
Liability of Dog Owners Under California Dog Bite Laws
Most people believe that a dog must be labeled “vicious” in order for the owner to be held accountable under the California dog bite laws; however, this is not correct. Under California’s strict liability law, if you are bitten by a dog, the owner can be held liable even if this is the first time that the dog has been aggressive or bitten someone. In order to prove that you are entitled to receive damages under California dog bite laws, your attorney must show to the court that you were legally on the premises where the dog attacked you, the dog attacked you and the attack caused your injuries. If so, the dog owner is then liable for your damages.
Hiring a personal injury attorney is your best chance of receiving compensation under California dog bite laws because insurance companies like to use a variety of defenses in order to limit or mitigate the liability of the dog owner. By doing so, the insurance company can decrease the amount of money it pays to the victim. An experienced California dog bite attorney like Gordon Levinson knows the tactics used by insurance companies and uses this knowledge against the insurance companies to fight for a fair and just settlement for his clients.
You are Not Alone in Your Fight Against Dog Bites
Of the approximately 4 million people who are bitten by dogs each year, the Centers for Disease Control state 885,000 had to seek medical treatment for their injuries. Thousands of the victims had to endure painful and costly reconstructive injury. If you are one of these victims, there is hope for your recovery but you need immediate medical attention and the liable person should be held accountable so this does not happen to another adult or child.
Any breed of dog can turn vicious and bite someone. A seemingly calm, tame dog can attack at any time and for any reason. Regardless of the breed of dog, never assume that a dog will not attack simply because it is old, small or acting in a non-threatening manner. Parents and adults should especially be vigilant when children are around dogs. Children under 10 years of age are at the highest risk for being attacked by a dog.
If you or your child is the victim of a dog attack, contact The Levinson Law Group for a free consultation to discuss your rights under the California dog bite laws. You have the legal right to receive compensation for your damages — compensation that can help pay for costly medical bills and expensive treatments. We want to help you receive justice so you can fully recover from the physical, emotional and financial damages of a dog attack.