When Should I Seek Legal Help for a Dog Bite Injury?

Dog bites can be traumatizing and cause long-term damage to nerves and muscles. If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Victorville, CA, it’s usually wise to talk to a personal injury lawyer about getting compensation.

When You Suffered Serious Injuries

There’s a big difference between a playful nip and a serious bite. If you just had to put a bit of antibiotic cream and a bandage on yourself and everything healed well and with no scarring in a couple of days, then it’s likely you won’t want to try to bring a legal case against the owner. But if you’ve missed out on work, had serious medical bills, or been permanently disfigured, there’s a good chance you have a case, and you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.

When the Owner Was Negligent

California has a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites. This means that, unlike in some states, you don’t have to show that the dog had previously been aggressive or had hurt someone in order for the owner to be liable for their dog’s actions. And if an owner has a dog classified as dangerous, which usually happens because the dog has bitten or injured someone before, then they are particularly liable.However, there are some exceptions. If you had no right to be in the place where you were when the animal bit you, this is typically the biggest barrier to bringing a claim. Owners are almost never held responsible for dog bite injuries to trespassers. Even in a public area, if you were not entitled to be in that public area, you may not be able to bring a lawsuit against the dog’s owner.

When It Was a Bite and Not Something Else

California has a strict liability rule for dog bites, but not necessarily for other types of injuries related to a dog. Of course, most injuries with dogs are bites, but there are exceptions. For example, if a dog were to leap up and knock you down, you might have a harder time bringing a case. It will all depend on the precise circumstances, and you’ll need to talk to a lawyer.

When a Working Dog Bites a Bystander

If a military or police dog bites someone while the dog and victim are involved in a law-enforcement issue, the victim cannot bring a lawsuit. However, if you are an innocent bystander and the dog bit you, you may have a case. Again, it depends on the circumstances, and you should talk to a lawyer.

Talk to a Victorville, CA Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve been bitten by a dog and were not trespassing at the time, there’s a very good chance you can bring a lawsuit. Contact the Law Offices of Vondra & Hanna in Victorville, CA for a free consultation on your case. We serve clients across Old Town Victorville and the High Desert.

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