Placerville Dog Attack Attorney

Dogs are popular pets in Placerville, and while most people have positive interactions with dogs on a regular basis, it is crucial to know what to do if someone else’s dog bites and injures you. Under California law, strict liability applies to any dog owner whose pet harms another person. However, there are a few procedural requirements for filing a dog bite case that you must be prepared to address.

Helping Dog Attack Victims Recover in Placerville, CA

If you believe a local dog owner is responsible for the injuries and economic losses their pet inflicted, it is crucial to know what you can do to hold them accountable and secure compensation for your damages.

How to Build Your Dog Bite Injury Claim in Placerville

The first step in any personal injury case is identifying the party responsible for causing your damages. State law upholds the strict liability rule when it comes to dog attacks. This means the owner of a dog is fully responsible for any harm the pet causes, even if the dog has no known history of prior aggression. The only requirements for strict liability to apply are that the victim must have been legally present wherever the attack occurred and they must not have done anything to provoke the attack.

Your Placerville dog bite attorney will help you gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish strict liability for your damages. Once you have accomplished this step, the next challenge you face will be proving the full extent of the damages you suffered from the event. State law allows the plaintiff in a personal injury case to seek compensation for:

• Any and all medical expenses resulting from the incident in question. This would include future treatment costs if the plaintiff suffered severe injuries requiring ongoing rehabilitative care.
• Lost income. When a dog attack leaves the victim unable to work, the defendant is responsible for the income they cannot earn during this time.
• Lost earning capacity. Unfortunately, some dog attacks result in permanent injuries that prevent victims from returning to work in the future. Your Placerville dog bite attorney can help you recover compensation for future income you are no longer able to earn because of the dog attack.
• Pain and suffering. State law allows a personal injury plaintiff to hold the defendant accountable for the physical pain and psychological distress they experienced from the incident in question. There is no limit to how much you can claim in pain and suffering compensation for a dog attack in California.

When you choose Kreeger Law Firm as your legal representatives, we will do everything we can to help you recover as much compensation as possible as swiftly as possible. Our goal will be to settle your claim quickly, but if you must resolve your case through a trial, we are fully prepared to represent you in litigation.

FAQs About Placerville, CA Dog Bite Laws

How Much Is a Dog Bite Claim Worth?

A dog bite claim is a form of personal injury claim, and California’s personal injury laws uphold that a plaintiff has the right to seek full repayment of their economic damages from the defendant. These can include both immediate and future economic losses resulting from the attack in question. Additionally, state law also allows them to seek compensation for pain and suffering, and the defendant may owe punitive damages depending on the details of the case.

How Much Can I Claim in Pain and Suffering Compensation?

The state does not place a cap or limit on the amount of pain and suffering compensation a plaintiff may claim in a dog bite injury case. If you are expected to make a full recovery from your injuries, your attorney may recommend a per diem pain and suffering settlement that awards compensation for each day you spend recovering. If you suffered permanent harm, they are more likely to seek a large lump sum of pain and suffering compensation to reflect the severity of your injury.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Placerville?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in California is two years, and this time limit begins on the date an injury occurs. You must file your case against the owner of the dog that attacked you within two years of the date of the attack; otherwise, you lose your chance to secure compensation for your damages. It’s advisable to start the claim filing process as soon as possible after you address your immediate medical concerns following the incident.

Do I Really Need to Hire a Placerville Dog Bite Attorney?

There may not be a law that specifically requires you to hire an attorney for your personal injury case, but doing so will dramatically increase your chances of success with the claim and significantly improve your chances of maximizing your case award. Your attorney can handle your case proceedings on your behalf while you rest and focus on recovery from your injuries.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Placerville Dog Bite Attorney?

It’s understandable to worry about the potential cost of legal fees when you need help filing your personal injury claim, but this shouldn’t be a concern when you choose Kreeger Law Firm to represent you. We take personal injury cases on contingency, meaning we only collect a fee if we win your case. Additionally, the fee we take is a predetermined percentage of your final case award, and you keep the remainder. There is no economic risk to having our firm represent your dog bite injury case in Placerville.

Contact Us Today

Any dog attack has the potential to be a life-changing event for the victim and their family. Having legal counsel you can trust in the aftermath is a tremendous asset, and the team at Kreeger Law Firm is ready to provide the robust representation you need to approach your case with confidence and peace of mind. If you are ready to discuss your options for legal recourse with an experienced Placerville dog bite attorney, contact us today to schedule your free consultation with our team.