A Brief Summary of the Following Page
- Strict Liability for Dog Owners: In California, dog owners are strictly liable for their dog’s behavior, even if their pet does not have a history of aggression.
- Available Compensation: Based on your injuries and unique details of your claim, you may recover economic and non-economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Statute of Limitations: California law gives dog bite victims two years to file their claims. Our Callahan & Blaine San Diego dog bite lawyers can help you act quickly and take advantage of your opportunity to fight for your rights.
- The Callahan & Blaine Difference: Our team’s unique approach includes leveraging extensive insurance knowledge, preparedness for trial scenarios, and a history of significant legal victories, offering a strategic advantage to those affected by dog bite incidents.
- To learn more about how we would approach your claim, call us at 714-241-4444 or fill out our contact form.
While dogs are known as man’s best friend, they can also be dangerous. When you walk past a dog in your neighborhood or while walking, you trust dog owners to control their pets and keep those around them safe from attacks. If an owner neglects this duty of care and their dog bites you, our experienced San Diego dog bite lawyers at Callahan & Blaine can help you file a claim and fight for your rights to recover the compensation you deserve.
In our 40 years as a law firm, we have proudly provided San Diego dog bite victims with unbeatable legal services. We understand the legal process can be complicated, so we handle every aspect of your claim and communicate with you every step of the way. This way, you have a better understanding of your rights while you focus on recovery. With our proven track record, including the largest personal injury settlement in U.S. history worth $50 million, you can trust our 29-lawyer team to take on your case.
Are Dog Owners Liable for Dog Bite Accidents in California?
In California, dog owners are strictly liable for their pets. This means if you are in a public place or lawfully on a dog owner’s property, and their dog bites you, the owner is liable for your injuries, even if the dog has no history of aggression. If someone else was caring for the dog at the time of the attack, such as a dog sitter or walker, they may be liable for your injuries instead.
However, if you had assumed the risk of being bitten by the dog or were partially responsible for the accident, you may still hold the owner accountable if they acted negligently or knew their dog was dangerous. If a dog has a prior history of aggression, owners have a strict liability for future bites. Our skilled San Diego dog bite attorneys thoroughly investigate your case and gather evidence, such as medical records, video footage, and witness testimony, to build a strong claim and secure a fair settlement.
Potentially Recoverable Damages After a San Diego Dog Bite Accident
Dog bites can cause serious injuries that take a physical, emotional, and financial toll on your life. At Callahan & Blaine, we understand you may worry about paying your medical bills, especially if you have to miss work for recovery. We take the time to understand how your injuries have impacted your life to accurately calculate your claim’s value. Depending on the severity of your injuries and other details of your claim, you may recover the following costs:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages from missed work
- Property damage
- Ambulance ride
- Prescribed medications
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
While economic damages, such as lost wages and medical bills, are relatively straightforward to calculate, non-economic ones, like pain and suffering, are more complicated due to their subjective nature. When determining your claim’s worth, we consider every detail, including how your injuries could affect your future, so you do not settle for a lowball offer.
Why Choose Callahan & Blaine for Your Dog Bite Accident Claim?
If you have been bitten by a dog in San Diego, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure how to proceed with the legal process. With the complex laws involved and the two-year statute of limitations, it is essential to have a trusted San Diego dog bite lawyer by your side to guide you through your claim. At Callahan & Blaine, we help you better understand your rights and legal options so you can make the best decisions for your future. Furthermore, we set ourselves apart from other firms in the following ways:
HIGH LEVEL OF INSURANCE KNOWLEDGE
Our San Diego dog bite attorneys have extensive insurance knowledge thanks to our managing partner, Edward Susolik, one of the nation’s leading insurance experts. This allows us to create nuanced and innovative strategies to negotiate with insurance adjusters.
TRIAL EXPERIENCE
While we work hard to settle your claim outside of court, this is not always possible. Fortunately, we are trial lawyers at our core, so we are fully prepared to present your case and use our litigation skills to achieve a fair settlement.
EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS
With our unmatched legal services and 40 years as a law firm, our robust legal team has achieved record-breaking verdicts for our clients, including the largest bad faith insurance judgment in Orange County history worth $58 million. This experience handling high-value, complex claims demonstrates our ability to take on your case and secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Speak With the Experienced San Diego Dog Bite Accident Lawyers at Callahan & Blaine Today
After suffering injuries from a dog bite, your recovery should be your top priority. Having a reliable San Diego dog bite lawyer by your side helps make this possible. At Callahan & Blaine, we take your legal burdens off your shoulders, handling every aspect of your claim with utmost care and attention.
With our 40-year legacy and commitment to excellence, we can guide you through your claim and help you seek the justice you deserve. To learn more about how we would approach your claim, call us at 714-241-4444 or fill out our contact form.
