Orange County Dog Bite Lawyers

Dog bites happen to millions of people each year in the U.S., and California has the unfortunate status of ranking #1 in the nation in the number of both dog bites and dog-related fatalities. The Southern California personal injury law firm of Lunetto & Hegel represents the victims of dog bite attacks, which:

  • can be fatal (about 10 to 20 people are killed every year by dogs)
  • can cause permanent disability (from torn nerves, tendons, ligaments)
  • can result in permanent disfigurement
  • are more commonly inflicted by some breeds of dogs
  • happen most often to children and innocent visitors to homes (such as letter carriers)

California: Strict Liability for Dog Owners
California law holds the owner of any dog strictly liable for dog bite injuries that his or her dog inflicted, unless:

  • the victim provoked the dog, or
  • the victim was a trespasser on the owner’s property

What to Do In Case of a Dog Bite
The single most important step to take when a dog has bitten you, your child, or another member of your family is to seek medical attention. Don’t minimize the injury as “just a dog bite,” no matter what the severity of the injury. The wound(s) need disinfecting, and possibly stitches, scar reduction measures, maybe surgery, and further care - and if the dog bite was from a stray dog, you may well have to get rabies shots.

Be sure to take dog bites seriously, and keep all of the medical records and bills related to treatment of the dog bite(s).

Collecting Information after a Dog Bite
A close second in importance is to identify the dog and its owner. If it’s not possible to identify the dog (e.g., because it was a stray or because it ran away), you’ll be less likely to get financial compensation for the medical bills and other costs of being bitten.

All of the information regarding the dog bite incident is relevant and important. Try to write down all of the following information:

  • the dog owner’s name, telephone number, and address
  • the dog’s name, age, and breed
  • potential witnesses’ names, phone numbers, and addresses - revisit the scene if necessary to try to find witnesses
  • the exact location where the dog attack took place
  • the circumstances of the incident - the time of day, the weather, the actions of the parties involved
  • take photographs of the dog bite wound(s)
  • ask the dog’s owner whether s/he is insured in cases of dog bites; write down the insurer’s information

Do not talk to an insurance adjuster or to an attorney working on behalf of the dog’s owner about the dog bite before you have consulted an attorney yourself.

Contact Lunetto & Hegel for Help
Dog bites can be very serious injuries. Schedule a free consultation with Lunetto & Hegel to learn about your legal options.
 

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Lunetto & Hegel
Attorneys at Law
2000 East Fourth Street
Suite 120
Santa Ana, California 92705

Verdicts & Settlements

PERSONAL INJURY:

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