San Clemente Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites and animal attacks happen out of nowhere and often leave victims suffering from catastrophic injuries. Although dogs may have become known as “man’s best friend”, the harsh reality is that dogs are just like any other animal. They are unpredictable. That is why dog owners are expected to maintain control of their pets at all times. Any failure to uphold this responsibility could be considered negligence, and leave the dog owner open to liability for your damages and suffering.

Making the at-fault party pay can be intimidating, especially while you are still recuperating from the fallout of your injuries. Fortunately, you do not have to go it alone. When you have a premier San Clemente dog bite lawyer from Crockett Law Group handling your case, you can rest easier knowing we have taken some of the stress and anxiety off of your shoulders. Let our personal injury team put our years of trial experience and client advocacy to work for you and your family. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation today and learn more about how California’s strict liability laws work, how to go about recovering the compensation you deserve, and what to expect from the claims process.

What to Do After a Dog Bite or Animal Attack in San Clemente

The steps you take following a dog bite or animal attack in San Clemente could have a profound impact on the strength of your claim against the dog’s owner or other at-fault party and the amount of compensation you recover. To build the strongest case possible, be sure to:

• Get medical help – Even if your injuries seem relatively minor, it is crucial to get a medical evaluation immediately after the attack. You do not want to risk infection, worsening internal or invisible injuries, or give the at-fault party an opportunity to accuse you of exaggerating the extent of your injuries.
• Document the scene – The evidence we collect could make or break your case. At the scene of the attack, take photos of your dog bite, fencing, cages, chains, and “beware of dog” signs. You should also get the names and contact information of witnesses to the attack.
• Contact a dog bite attorney in San Clemente – While you recuperate, your legal advocate with Crockett Law Group can begin investigating and building your case against the dog’s owner or other liable party. We will be by your side to protect you from being taken advantage of and help you get the most out of your claim.

Tip
When you are attacked by a dog, you can report the dog bite to Orange County Animal Care. This government agency may be able to open up an investigation of its own and get the dog declared a “vicious” dog if necessary. You should also report the incident to the San Clemente Police Department animal services unit for further investigation.

California Strict Liability Dog Bite Laws

California is a strict liability dog bite state under California Civil Code Section 3342. Dog owners are held strictly liable for the injuries their pets cause. This means dog owners will almost always be held accountable for the actions of their pets. However, other parties could share the blame as well. Anyone else who may have been in control of the animal at the time of the attack, such as a dog sitter, a friend or family member of the dog owner, or another third party, could also share culpability.

You may even have grounds for legal action against a landlord or property owner if they fail to maintain the safety of the premises or explicitly prohibit dangerous pets from the property.

Note
The California dog bite statute does not apply to dogs who are working for the military or law enforcement officials. It is also worth noting that individuals such as mail carriers may not be considered trespassing when delivering mail or packages, which does not absolve the dog owner from liability.

Compensation For Dog Bite Injuries in San Clemente

Dog bite victims have the right to be made whole. When you file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party, you have the chance to demand full compensation for every compensatory loss, including both economic and non-economic damages. Some examples of these losses include:

• Disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Anticipated time off work
• Existing and future medical bills

Pro Tip
Do not be afraid to pursue both insurance and civil claims. Your insurance settlement will cover a portion of your damages as described by the policyholder’s covered losses, but it is unlikely a settlement from the insurance company will be enough to meet your needs. For this reason, you should always be prepared to move forward with a lawsuit if you hope to maximize your payout.

Local Results

Detainee Received $1,045,000 Settlement for Head Injury During Police Car Accident While Being Transported in Los Angeles

Life is better now!

Its going to be tough to thank Kevin enough! His guidance, support and optimism from day one helped me get thru the arduous process of appointments and treatments required to recover from my injuries and pay the bills.

My calls were returned promptly, I always felt he “truly” cared about me, my case and the outcome. I know he fought hard and brought my case to a very successful conclusion (the Max).

“OH” and can’t forget, His support team gets 5 stars as well.

Thank you Kevin, Thank you!

Rob Peltier
San Clemente, CA Accident

San Clemente Dog Bites FAQs

A Highly Skilled Dog Bite Lawyer in San Clemente Can Help!

Although a dog that has been trained well may be less likely to bite or attack, since they are animals and act on instinct, there is always a chance that a dog could turn vicious or aggressive. Dog owners should be aware of this and ensure they have control over their pets at all times. If the owner of the dog that bit you failed to do so, they should be ordered to cover the full value of your losses. Whether you are dealing with extreme emotional trauma, infected bite wounds, or other debilitating injuries related to your accident, you should not be stuck covering the costs.

You have an opportunity to bring the dog owner or other at-fault parties to justice when you get a dedicated San Clemente dog bite lawyer from Crockett Law Group to take on your personal injury claim. Our firm proudly offers 100% free consultations to dog bite victims and accident survivors throughout San Clemente, nearby Irvine, and surrounding communities. Claim yours as soon as today by calling our office or completing our confidential contact form.

San Clemente FAQs