Dog Bite Lawyer in San Jose, CA
Getting attacked by a dog can be a traumatic experience that may result in severe injuries with lifelong consequences. Each year there are an estimated 4.5 million dog bite incidents in the United States. Victims of dog bites can count on the experienced legal professionals at Dash Injury Law Firm for help. After you have been attacked, it is best to contact our dog bite lawyers in San Jose, CA so we can help you recover financial compensation for your injuries.
We can help you hold the responsible dog owner accountable for their dog’s aggressive behavior. Residents of San Jose, CA and the surrounding areas can contact our law firm for skilled legal representation.
Dog Bite Laws in San Jose, CA
The state of California follows strict liability laws when it comes to dog bite injuries (California Civil Code 3342). This means that the dog owner is liable in a civil lawsuit even if the dog has never displayed this type of aggressive behavior in the past and the owner did nothing wrong.
Other states follow the “one bite rule” in which the dog owner is only held liable for the victim’s injuries if the dog had bitten someone in the past or has been known to display violent behavior.
With strict liability, the dog owner is liable only if:
- The injured victim suffered a bite and did not provoke the dog, and
- The injured victim was in a public area or lawfully in a private place during the incident.
An example of a bite victim in a lawfully private place would be a mailman carrying out his or her legal duty. This law does not apply if bite victims were bitten by police or military dogs that were either performing law enforcement work or defending themselves. The San Jose, CA dog bite lawyers at Dash Injury Law Firm understand all of California’s laws regarding dog bites and we are here to help any victim looking for legal representation.
Negligent Dog Owners
When you suffer an injury caused by a dog but are not bitten, California’s strict liability laws may not completely apply. However, this does not mean you cannot take legal action. You may still be able to prove that the negligence of the dog owner resulted in your injuries. For example, suppose a neighbor’s dog was not being watched and jumps on a child playing outside and scratches the child’s arm. The child's parents can then file a lawsuit against the dog owner claiming they failed to exercise reasonable care by not leashing the dog or installing a fence. For help with cases similar to this, a dog bite lawyer in San Jose, CA can still provide the necessary expertise to help you file a lawsuit.
Dog Bite Lawsuit in San Jose, CA
If you have been bitten by a dog, you have the right to seek financial compensation for the damages you have suffered. The damages that can be recovered in a San Jose, CA dog bite lawsuit include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Bite victims should consult with our dog bite lawyers in San Jose, CA to proceed with a lawsuit against the dog owner. Our legal team will be able to help you identify damages from future complications of the injuries sustained in a dog attack. Many breeds of dogs have the strength to bite down with an enormous amount of pressure. This can cause severe injuries that you may not notice right away and you may end up requiring prolonged medical treatment. Working with our San Jose, CA dog bite lawyers can help ensure that the maximum amount of compensation is awarded to you.
Contact Our San Jose, CA Dog Bite Lawyers
Call Dash Injury Law Firm today at 888-(DASH-LAW) or complete an online contact form for a free consultation.
The information contained in these pages should not be taken as a substitute for legal advice and it is in fact not legal advice, especially as to cases which are highly fact-specific.