Walnut Creek Dog Bite Injury Lawyer
A dog attack can happen when you least expect it, inflicting injuries that may leave you with both physical and psychological scars. At Milanfar Law Firm, PC, our Walnut Creek dog bite injury lawyers can help you get back to normal life as much as possible after an attack. Our attorneys can connect you to exceptional doctors in your area, answer your legal questions, and guide you through the process of holding a pet or property owner accountable for your injuries. Our founding attorney, Shahrad Milanfar, has more than 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer and mediator.
How a Walnut Creek Dog Bite Injury Attorney Can Help
Working with an attorney from the beginning of your dog bite injury lawsuit in California can help you build the strongest claim possible. An attorney will know exactly how to collect evidence against a defendant and create a compelling claim on your behalf. Your lawyer can investigate the animal attack, identify the defendant(s), go up against an insurance company, and use proven legal strategies to fight for maximum compensation – all while you concentrate on healing.
Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries
When a dog attacks, it can inflict severe injuries with its teeth, jaws, and claws. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to serious dog bite injuries, although anyone can fall prey to a devastating animal attack. At Milanfar Law Firm, PC, we represent clients with all types of dog bite injuries, including:
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Evisceration
- Degloving
- Face injuries
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Infections
We understand how physically and emotionally traumatic a dog attack can be – not only for a victim but for their family members, as well. Our personal injury lawyers are passionate about demanding the accountability that our clients deserve from pet owners, landlords, landowners, and other entities for serious injuries caused by a vicious animal.
What Is California’s Dog Bite Law?
Your legal rights and options after a dog bite injury can depend in part on the law in your state. Most states use either a strict liability or one-bite law. California is a strict liability state under California Civil Code Section 3342. This law states that the owner of a dog that bites a victim is liable for any injuries and property damage the victim suffered, regardless of whether the dog had attacked someone before or whether the owner knew of the pet’s propensity for viciousness.
When applied to a dog bite injury case, the strict liability law means that a victim does not have to prove that a pet owner was negligent to be eligible for financial compensation from his or her property insurance company. In a one-bite state, on the other hand, a dog bite victim must demonstrate that the owner was careless in some way that led to the attack, such as by letting a dangerous dog run at large.
Common Defenses to Dog Bite Injury Claims
A pet owner’s insurance company can defend against a dog bite injury claim in an effort to reduce or eliminate liability for the incident. One of the most common defenses is trespassing. If there is proof that the victim was bitten while unlawfully on private property, the pet owner will not be liable unless the victim was under the age of 18. Another common defense is that the victim provoked the attack by harassing the dog.
Contact Our Attorneys in Walnut Creek for More Information
At Milanfar Law Firm, PC, we use years of practice-area experience, cutting-edge technologies, and highly motivated personal injury lawyers to get the best possible results for each client that we represent. If you or a loved one was recently attacked by a dog in Walnut Creek, California, our lawyers can help. Discuss your legal options in more detail during a free case consultation. We can meet with you in person at our local law firm, home, or hospital, as well as arrange a virtual meeting through Zoom or Webex. Call (925) 433-6003 today.