Challenges of Dog Bite Cases: Why You Need an Experienced Lawyer
Dogs are extremely popular pets. According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, about 70% of American households have a pet. Of these numbers, 9.9 million homes own a dog.
Although man’s best friend has a reputation for being caring and loving, this does not mean that they aren’t prone to biting and attacking. Dogs tend to bite due to several reasons, such as fear, annoyance, anxiety, and pain. Dogs may even bite their owners if they feel threatened. Some dogs are known for having more dangerous tendencies than others. These types of attacks can be traumatizing and may lead to serious life-long injuries.
In case you were bitten by a dog — through no fault of your own — you may be eligible to file a dog bite claim. However, the process of filing and handling one while recovering from your injuries may be difficult to accomplish on your own. Even more so when you’re trying to recover financial compensation — some at-fault parties may try to cheat you out of the money you deserve.
In this article, we will discuss:
- Challenges of dog bite cases
- Who can be held liable for a dog bite accident
- What can a dog bite attorney do for you?
Challenges of Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite cases can be challenging due to certain unique factors. The following are some of the most common reasons why filing a dog bite claim may become difficult:
Proving Liability
It is much easier to prove liability for damages if there were witnesses present at the time the attack occurred. To file a strong case, negligence on the part of the owner must be proven. This becomes difficult if only you or the owner of the dog were present during the incident. This is especially tricky if the accident happened on their private property.
Dog Owners May Downplay Bite Attack Injuries
The kinds of injuries a bite victim may sustain from a dog attack can be more severe than we realize. Depending on the extent of the damage, common dog or animal bite injuries include puncture wounds, scarring, tissue damage, nerve damage, and broken bones. Dog owners may attempt to downplay the injuries an accident victim may sustain as they are unwilling to face the reality that their pet has harmed someone.
Owners are Protective of Their Dogs
Even though the dog owner is aware of the harm their dog has caused, they may become defensive and unwilling to cooperate when the matter of financial compensation arises. As parents are protective of their children, so are pet owners with their dogs.
With these in mind, this is where having an experienced dog bite lawyer comes in handy. The best way to ensure that your best interests are protected is to have a personal injury attorney by your side guiding you through your dog bite claim.
Who Can be Held Liable for a Dog Bite Accident?
California does not apply the “one-bite rule,” instead, it operates under a strict liability law. This means that the owner of the dog is usually liable for the injuries and damages sustained by the bite attack victim. This responsibility is applied assuming you were not trespassing or provoking the dog in any way.
The following parties may also be considered liable for the accident:
- Parents or legal guardians – A parent or a guardian may be held liable for the animal bite injuries caused by the dog owned by a minor.
- Animal keepers – Pounds, kennels, and animal care facilities may also be held liable for a dog bite if the accident occurred while the dog was under their care.
- Landlords – Landlords and business owners may be responsible for the injuries and damages of an accident victim if they were aware that a tenant was in possession of a dangerous animal.
- Property owner – Regardless of whether or not the property owner owns the dog in question, they may be held liable for an accident if they allowed the animal onto their property.
- Animal hospital veterinarians/others – When it comes to dog bites, California also operates under the “Veterinarian’s rule.” This means that individuals such as veterinarians, veterinary technicians, groomers, dog walkers, and dog trainers, assume the risk of a dog bite attack. This shifts the liability from the dog owner to the person who chooses to work with dogs.
What Can a Dog Bite Attorney Do For You?
As the injured person, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim for damages done to you. If you wish to file a dog bite claim, it is in your best interest to have an experienced dog bite claim lawyer by your side to help guide you through the claims process.
As previously mentioned, in cases such as these, the identified owner may try to argue that the bite victim trespassed on private property or somehow provoked their dog into attacking. An insurance adjuster could also try to take advantage of your vulnerability and trick you into lowering the value of your claim in order to avoid offering a fair settlement.
At Farahi Law Firm, not only will our skilled dog bite lawyers, doctors, and case managers help guide you through the complicated claims process, but we will also fight to recover the compensation you deserve for your medical bills and actual damages. We will take care of all the aspects of your case so you can focus solely on your recovery.
We are here to help. We will fight to obtain the justice you deserve.
Contact Farahi Law Firm Today!
If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog bite accident due to the negligence of another party, you must hold them accountable for your injuries and damages. Our team has extensive experience handling dog bite accident claims.
Our team is dedicated to winning. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for hundreds of clients. We work on a contingency fee basis and offer our clients a No Fee Guarantee policy. This means you won’t need to pay us a single cent unless we win your case. Contact us for a free consultation. We are available 24/7. Your justice is our cause!
