Dog Bite Attorney in Santa Monica, CA
Dog owners across California have a legal obligation to protect the people around them from their dogs. It doesn’t matter whether or not a dog has displayed aggressive behavior in the past. A dog that attacks another person can permanently compromise that person’s ability to meet their day-to-day needs. When in doubt, get in touch with a Santa Monica personal injury dog bite attorney. Setareh Law can represent your best interests, ensuring that you have the opportunity to fight for the compensation you need to recover.
When to Take Action Against a Negligent Dog Owner
California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 controls the amount of time in which you have to file a personal injury claim against the owner of a violent dog. You must bring your complaint forward within two years of your initial accident if you want California to recognize your right to fight for fair compensation. The statute of limitations aims to keep any cases that come before California’s civil judges as relevant as possible. You cannot file a personal injury claim for dog bite damages after your statute of limitations expires. The courts have the right to reject overdue claims without consideration.
Outlining Your Right to a Dog Bite Claim
Under California civil statutes, dog owners assume liability for injuries rendered by their dogs regardless of whether or not that dog has exhibited a history of violent behavior. It does not matter whether or not the accident took place in a private or public place. Under California’s understanding of strict liability, owners generally have an immediate obligation to compensate dog bite victims regardless of circumstances. There are, however, exceptions — you may not have the right to compensation if you were trespassing on someone else’s property or bear some partial fault for the accident. Likewise, you may not receive compensation if you were bitten by a law enforcement animal.
Evidence Establishes Dog Bite Liability
When outlining your right to a dog accident claim, make sure you have evidence indicating that you were physically injured due to a dog owner’s negligence. The evidence you bring forward can include medical reports from the doctor or hospital. You may also request that bystanders contribute their testimony to your case. An experienced dog bite lawyer in Santa Monica can even bring an expert witness to comment on the character of an unexpectedly aggressive dog.
Demanding Fair Damages After a Dog Bite Accident
Your lawyer can break your accident-related losses down into two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages may include medical bills and property damage. Non-economic damages, including stress, undue trauma, and care for your mental health, can be evaluated using state precedent and existing multipliers to help determine their impact on the economic value of your case.
Attorneys Can Make Your Dog Bite Case Easier to Manage
Our team understands that the average person may find civil proceedings intimidating. Our dog bite lawyers can help you navigate the legal process with as little stress as possible. We’ve won hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages for survivors in positions just like yours. If you want to learn more about the services we offer, you can schedule a free case evaluation with our team. These consultations do not obligate you to further legal action.
Get in Touch With Experienced California Attorneys Today
Don’t let the statute of limitations on your dog bite case expire. You deserve fair compensation for the damages you experienced. Fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation, or call us at (310) 659-1826.
