Modesto Dog Bite Injury Lawyer for Victims

Understanding Dog Owner Liability for Attacks

According to the California Civil Code Section 3342, dog owners are considered liable for any injuries their pets cause, whether by they harm a person, another animal, or property. This law was enacted to ensure that individuals are kept safe from dangerous dogs, and to provide injured individuals with the compensation they deserve. If you were injured in a dog attack, our team at the Law Offices of Dean Petrulakis can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Our Law Firm for Your Dog Bite Case?

We have been assisting individuals with personal injury cases, including those concerning dog bite attacks, for over 20 years. We are passionate about helping our clients obtain the compensation and justice they deserve, and to prove it, our clients don't pay anything until we recover their damages. In other words, if you don't win, you don't pay!

We go above and beyond for our clients by using our resources to connect them with the best possible medical care. If you still aren’t sure if our firm is the best fit for you, don't just take our word for it, read testimonials of our former clients to see what they have to say about our service.

Contact our Modesto legal team to schedule your free case evaluation today.

How to Determine Liability in a Dog Bite Incident

Each dog bite injury case is unique, and the outcome of each situation will vary depending on the specifics of the attack. However, in most cases, the wrongfully injured party should be able to hold the pet owner responsible for their dog’s aggressive actions.

To prove liability in a dog bite case, one or more of the following must be evident:

• The owner did not properly restrain the dog.
• The dog inflicted injury upon another animal.
• The owner failed to vaccinate the dog.
• The owner knew of the dog's aggressive history.
• The owner did not place an adequate warning about the dog's presence or aggressive nature.

In order to prove liability with these factors, however, you must also be able to show that the dog in question as the same animal that bit you and that the defendant actually owned the dog at the time of the attack. It is also important to note that you may not be able to recover compensation if you were trespassing on the owner's property or the owner proves that you provoked the dog. In such situations, the dog owner may be able to prove that the animal’s behavior was prompted, which could make the issue of liability less clear-cut.

Types of Injuries Resulting from Dog Attacks

Dogs have large, sharp teeth, and regardless of the type of dog or breed, they can inflict serious injury. Victims may suffer emotional and physical trauma, or they could develop nerve damage, muscle damage, or severe scarring as a result of a dog bite.

In a few rare and unfortunate cases, extremely aggressive dog attacks or well-placed bites can be fatal. That said, any animal attack can be serious, and almost all bites require immediate medical attention because dogs sometimes carry dangerous bacteria, parasites, and germs. To prevent infection or other injuries, you may require a tetanus shot or other medications.

If you were injured by a dog or other animal, you may be wondering what to do next. To recover compensation, you need to work with our attorney to begin building your case.

Contact our firm today to get started!