Torrance Dog Bite Lawyer

Dogs can offer a sense of companionship and protection for both individuals and families, earning them the nickname of “man’s best friend”. However, it is important to remember that all dogs are ultimately animals that act on instinct regardless of their usual behavior and level of training. Every dog should be treated with caution and prudence, as any dog can unexpectedly bite a person when acting on instinct.

If you have suffered traumatic injuries due to a dog bite, it may be in your best interests to consult an understanding and knowledgeable Torrance dog bite lawyer with Text Kevin Accident Attorneys for advice. With dozens of five-star reviews and more than 30 awards and honors, our law firm has represented personal injury clients in Torrance and throughout the state of California. When you have suffered considerable physical injury and mental distress resulting from a dog bite, learn more about who should be held responsible, how to determine the value of your damages, and what your next steps should be when you connect with our dedicated personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.

Important Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

Dogs can range greatly in size and power but that does not mean that a small dog cannot cause serious damage. If you have been bitten by a dog in Torrance, these next steps could be crucial to building a case against any potentially liable parties. Immediately after you have suffered a dog bite, you should:

Contact Emergency Services

After being bitten by a dog, contact emergency responders or go to the hospital to get a professional evaluation. Even a seemingly minor dog bite could result in catastrophic injuries if not treated properly and quickly. Dogs carry a wide variety of bacteria and foreign matter that humans are not normally exposed to that could cause infections if not treated.

Collect any Evidence Related to the Bite

In any personal injury claim, all evidence should be considered critical until examined by your dog bite lawyer in Torrance who can assess its relevance to your case. Taking pictures of your injuries, checking if any nearby homes or businesses have security cameras that may have captured footage of the incident, and a description of the dog that bit you are all important factors in building a case against the liable party. You should also keep accurate records of any costs related to your dog bite such as copies of medical bills, police reports if law enforcement was involved, and any other pertinent documents.

Contact a Dedicated Dog Bite Lawyer in Torrance

Numerous local and state laws relate to dog ownership throughout California. The legal team at Text Kevin Accident Attorneys has represented many clients who have suffered devastating injuries from dog bites. Knowing these laws and how they may apply to your case is important if you hope to pursue compensation for your damages.

Pro Tip
The sooner you can contact a personal injury lawyer to begin building your case can be critical to obtaining time-sensitive evidence. Business and home security cameras often recycle their data storage to save costs. This means if you wait too long to start collecting evidence, video footage of your dog bite attack may have been overwritten.

Reporting a Dog Bite in Torrance, CA

The City of Torrance Community Services Department’s Animal Control Portal offers a convenient option to report a dog bite or other animal concerns as well as a detailed FAQ section to address other animal issues. Whether you have filed a report with Animal Control or a police report for a dangerous situation, this information can be used as evidence when building your case for compensation.

The Importance of Hiring a Dog Bite Attorney in Torrance

Retaining professional legal counsel after a dog bite in Torrance is essential to holding liable parties accountable. Your dog bite attorney in Torrance can examine the seemingly countless city ordinances related to dog bites and other animal attacks. Navigating these regulations and learning how they may be applied to your case is not something you are likely to want to deal with when you are trying to recover from the trauma of an animal attack.

Dog Bites Could Result in Serious Injuries

The myth that dogs’ mouths are cleaner than our own is a dangerous idea that has been disproven. A dog’s mouth contains millions of microbes and bacteria that can have a detrimental effect on your health and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a dog bite could spread various diseases including:

• MRSA
• Brucellosis
• Tick-borne illnesses
• Rabies
• Tapeworms
• Hookworms
• Leptospirosis

Most dog owners are responsible and have their pets vaccinated for many of these illnesses. However, the risks that these diseases can pose demonstrate the importance of seeking medical attention for even a minor dog bite. If you were bitten by a large breed of dog, you could also be in danger of catastrophic injuries such as severe lacerations that require stitches, fractured or broken bones, or damage to tendons and muscles that could result in permanent loss of motor function for the affected area.

Tip
Writing about your experiences in a personal journal following a dog bite incident can help build your case. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with a jury may be extremely uncomfortable but you may have a panic attack every time you hear a dog bark. If the jury sees that you have been experiencing this for weeks or months after the incident, this could help you obtain a favorable outcome if your case has to go to trial.

Your Lawyer Can Provide Resources That Otherwise Would Not be Available

Having a trial-proven and experienced Torrance dog bite attorney working for you can offer benefits that you might not even consider. Besides knowing what laws may apply to your case, our law firm has access to considerable investigative resources, expert witnesses, and medical advisors who can testify to support your case. We can guide you through the entire claims process so you can focus on your healing journey and recovering from the mental trauma of your experience.

Dealing with Difficult Insurance Providers

Responsible dog owners may have some type of insurance coverage to protect them from liability in the event their pet injures another person. With a dog bite attorney in Torrance from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys on your side, insurance companies may be more likely to provide the financial relief you deserve for the injuries you have suffered. We are prepared to negotiate with insurance providers if they make low-ball offers or operate in bad faith.

Local Result

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

Case Type	Car Accident
Location	California
Settlement	$1,045,000.00

Where Does Liability Fall in a Dog Bite Incident

Generally, the liability for a dog bite will fall on the owner of the dog. Known as strict liability, it is the responsibility of the dog’s owner to keep the dog secure on their property whether or not they know their dog could be dangerous. Under California Law Section 3342.5, dog bite victims can hold the dog’s owner liable for any damages they suffer.

Additionally, if the dog’s owner does not own the property where they live, the owner or landlord may be partially liable for your injuries under certain circumstances. Under the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions CACI No 1006 Landlord’s Duty, a landlord must make periodic inspections of rental properties to ensure safe conditions. For example, if the property owner knew their tenant had a dog in a fenced area but the fence was damaged and the dog got loose and bit you, the landlord could share the liability for your injuries for not repairing the damaged fence. of these codes which may have contributed to your injuries.

Note
Working dogs used by government agencies are exempt from liability in the course of their professional capacity. Under California Law Section 3342, there are specific exceptions to when the dog handler cannot be held liable for the dog bite such as if the dog is protecting a police officer or law enforcement is pursuing or attempting to apprehend a suspect.

Types of Damages in Dog Bite Accidents

Dog bites are considered personal injury cases as far as the judicial system is concerned so we can use the same processes to determine the value of your damages. In personal injury cases, damages are generally divided into two or sometimes three types.

Economic Damages

These losses are tangible and can be easily calculated and verified with bills, receipts, and estimates. Some examples of your economic damages can include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of household services
• Personal property damage
• Medical transportation costs

Non-Economic Damages

With their intangible nature and difficulty in assigning dollar values, non-economic damages may be hard to calculate but can be even more severe than your physical damages. Examples of non-economic damages that you could demand in a personal injury lawsuit include:

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Mental trauma
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of relationships with family or friends

Punitive Damages

California defines punitive damages as exemplary damages under California Civil Code Section 3294. If the dog’s owner acted maliciously, grossly negligent, or intentionally allowed their dog to bite you, the court may decide to punish the owner further and award you additional damages. The court may also want the community to know that intentionally dangerous or malicious conduct is intolerable and will be punished accordingly.

Great customer service willing to answer any questions at hand. Definitely recommend giving them a call if you’re in any legal situation and don’t know where to start.

Paul Floyd
California Accident Victim

Torrance Dog Bite FAQs

Your Torrance Dog Bite Attorney Can Help Recover the Compensation You Deserve

People who have never experienced a serious dog bite think that they are minor injuries and do not warrant legal action. However, the potentially catastrophic injuries that could result from a dangerous animal attack can leave you with debilitating and chronic conditions that change every aspect of your life. Do not let others intimidate you or minimize the trauma that you have suffered.

Your compassionate and understanding Torrance dog bite injury attorney from Text Kevin Accident Attorneys knows how damaging dog bites can be. No amount of money can undo the suffering you have endured but you have the right to be made whole with fair and just compensation. Connect with our legal team to discuss how we can help you through these difficult times by calling our office today or using our secure contact form to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation and discover how you can demand justice.

Torrance FAQs

Torrance Points of Interest

Torrance Neighborhoods We Serve