Beverly Hills residents cherish their dogs like family members, but it only takes one dog attack to remind us that dogs are animals with motives and instincts we cannot always understand or anticipate. If you’ve suffered injuries from a dog attack, the Beverly Hills dog bite lawyers at Grey Law understand the depth of your trauma as well as the pain of dog bite injuries. Call Grey Law at (323) 857-9500 today so we can hear the details of your case and take action on your behalf.
Why Choose Grey Law as Your Dog Bite Attorney In Beverly Hills?
Different states have varied laws for pet owner liability. California’s law protects dog bite victims through strict liability; however, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to recover fair compensation. A dog bite claim requires careful handling. At Grey Law, we offer the following:
- Our 35 years of experience and history of favorable results let defendants and their insurance companies know we take aggressive actions to defend our clients’ rights
- A lead attorney who has dedicated his career to advocating for injury victims
- An individualized strategy to obtain the maximum compensation available for your unique case
We offer a free confidential consultation and contingency-based payment so we take on the financial risk and you pay us nothing until after we recover your compensation.
What Does Strict Liability Mean for Dog Bite Cases In Beverly Hills?
California operates under strict liability laws for dog owners. A pet owner in California is responsible for any property damage or injuries caused by their dog from the moment they take ownership or control. If a dog trips or knocks someone down and the victim suffers injuries with economic and non-economic damages, the pet owner is liable for those damages.
A handful of states have “one-bite” rules that don’t hold a pet owner responsible for damages the first time their dog bites under the premise that an owner couldn’t know the dog could be aggressive until after it’s bitten or shown aggression at least once. In California; however, pet owners are held to strict liability standards. This means a dog bite victim doesn’t have to prove an owner negligent since the dog owner takes full responsibility for their pet’s actions as soon as they take possession of the pet. Under California code CIV 3342, the law states:
“The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
In other words, even if the dog bit you on the owner’s property, the dog owner is responsible for your damages as long as you were legally on the property and not committing a crime.
Have you been bitten by someone else’s dog?
Our Beverly Hills Dog Bite Attorneys Can Help
Common Dog Bite Injuries In Beverly Hills
Medical professionals classify the severity of dog bite injuries on a scale, with level-1 bites the mildest, leaving only abrasions without tooth punctures. Level 2-5 bites become increasingly serious with deep tooth punctures and multiple bites. Level-6 bites result in loss of limb, consumed flesh, or death. Common dog bite injuries in Beverly Hills include:
- Punctures and lacerations
- Contusions and abrasions
- Fractures
- Facial injuries
- Scalp injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Degloving (pulling of skin away from fingers, toes, hands, or feet)
- Traumatic loss of limb or digits
- Wrongful death
Dog bite wounds require serious medical treatment including infection prevention and often reconstructive surgery to restore the function and appearance of impacted areas of the bite victim’s body.
What Damages Are Available In a Dog Bite Case In California?
Injuries are more than just painful, they’re often expensive, causing medical bills to pile up at the same time you may be unable to return to work. Compensation in dog bite cases typically comes from a claim against the dog owner’s property liability insurance or through a personal injury lawsuit. Common damages recovered in Beverly Hill dog injury cases include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost earnings
- Future income loss/lower future earning capacity
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for emotional trauma
In some cases, additional damages apply such as diminished quality of life due to disability, PTSD, or wrongful death benefits if dog-related injuries end in a loved one’s death.
Call the Dog Bite Lawyers In Beverly Hills
Pet owners must take action to prevent their dogs from causing harm. If a dog attacks and causes injuries from dog bites or in a fall caused by a chasing dog, California law offers robust protection for the injury victim. Call Grey Law for experienced representation so you can recover the compensation and sense of justice you deserve.