Sacramento Dog Bite Attorneys

Sacramento Dog Bite Attorneys Who Know How to Win

Dog bite cases are unique to many other areas of law, and our dog bite attorneys understand how to navigate the laws specific to dog and animal bites. Most car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and construction accident cases involve primarily orthopedic injuries. In those traditional cases, victims often suffer from neck, back, brain injury, or other spinal cord injuries.

However, dog bite injuries are different. The most common injury resulting from a dog bite or attack is physical scarring, which often requires plastic surgery when the bite affects a visible part of the body, especially the face and hands. Additionally, scarring of this type involves follow-up surgeries to release scar tissue over time to prevent other complications, such as pain and range-of-motion problems. This is especially true with children, who are still growing and have developing Musculoskeletal systems.

Emotional Trauma Following a Dog Bite: The Invisible Scarring

Our attorneys have represented countless victims of dog bites who carry mental and emotional scarring due to the psychological trauma of a dog bite.

For many dog-bite clients, the fear of being attacked again is very frustrating and troublesome, and they develop long-lasting mistrust of dogs. This can be a particularly complicated problem since dogs are prevalent in our society and often regarded as welcome additions to households and public places. Our dog bite attorneys offer compassionate and helpful advice so that victims can get the professional help they need to overcome fears associated with a dog bite or attack and experience dealing with this trauma.

Dog Bites by Stray Dogs

If a stray dog has bitten you, it is difficult, but not impossible, to recover damages. Our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers may still be able to help.

If the dog that bit you happens to be loose (unconfined, off-leash, etc.), even if the owner is not present when the bite occurs, and the owner can be found, a dog bite attorney would be able to pursue the claim like any other.

FAQ: Do your Sacramento dog bite attorneys work on a contingency fee structure?

Our law firm knows that the cost of filing a claim and possibly going to trial can discourage people from calling a dog bite attorney. Our contingency fee structure means that our dog bite attorneys will not charge you any fees unless and until you win. No settlement, no fees. It’s that simple.

FAQ: Our Sacramento dog bite attorneys explain what I do after a dog bite.

The first thing you should do following an injury of any type, including a dog bite, is to get proper medical treatment. Even if the skin has been broken slightly, it is essential to have a medical professional evaluate the wound and assess the potential for infection.

Once you are safely out of harm’s way and have been treated for your injury, call and schedule your free consultation with one of Eason and Tambornini’s experienced dog bite attorneys. If we take your case, we will help you begin the reporting process, including determining the dog’s ownership. If possible, you should get pictures of where you were when the incident occurred, the dog, and your wound. Writing down details as soon as possible may also help prove your case.

FAQ: What should I NOT do if a dog has bitten me?

Like with any injury, do not try to settle the situation yourself, provoke the dog owner, or demand anything. Additionally, if the dog owner’s insurance company contacts you, do not share details or agree to anything. The dog owner’s insurance representative will not work on your behalf; that is not their job. As stated above, call an experienced dog bite attorney as soon as possible before you speak to anyone representing the dog’s owner. We will schedule a free consultation, and if we agree to take your case, there will be no fee unless we win.

FAQ: How much should I expect to receive for a dog bite settlement?

While the details are essential and must be explained by a Sacramento personal injury attorney, dog bite settlements can vary after learning the particular facts about your case.

Most of the time, a dog bite settlement is factored similarly to other personal injury lawsuits. The victim’s goal is to recover the amount that has been lost and what they may stand to lose in the future directly due to the dog bite. This may include damages for physical property that may have been destroyed (clothing, a purse or backpack, etc.), medical expenses, loss of wages, potential for future scarring or disfigurement, and pain and suffering.

Different Types of Dog Bite Settlements

As your attorney will explain, every case is unique; people react differently to dog bites and suffer different consequences. For example, a veterinarian who a dog attacked may have much more understanding of how to prevent the attack from escalating. If the same dog attacked a child, on the other hand, without knowing it and through no fault of their own, the child may react in a way that leads to a much more significant injury — and a higher settlement amount. Likewise, a model who earns money for her appearance and suffers a bite to the face may have a very different settlement than a construction worker with a wound of similar severity on their face, whose livelihood (future wages) is not impacted.

How Sacramento Dog Bite Attorneys Handle Claims in California

With few exceptions, the dog’s owner is liable if the dog bites someone. If, after the animal control and insurance reports are filed, and present and future medical treatment is estimated by a medical professional, a solution cannot be reached by the victim’s dog bite attorney and the owner of the dog, it may be necessary for your dog bite attorney to file a lawsuit on your behalf.

In addition to the dog owner being named (liable), a landlord or property owner may bear some responsibility, mainly if they knew about the dog’s dangerous propensities or failed to keep a property secure, among other reasons.

How Insurance Affects Dog Bite Cases

Most property insurance policies cover dog bite cases. These policies include homeowner’s policies, renter policies, and landlord policies. These policies typically provide liability insurance, but many also have special provisions that help with medical bills, even if the policyholder is not liable. Your dog bite attorney will sort through all the paperwork and possibilities for liability so that you are fully compensated according to the laws in your area.

Many factors determine when to settle a dog bite case, so you should not delay if a dog has bitten you. Your dog bite attorney will likely advise you to settle your case once your physical condition has stabilized. In dog bite cases, this usually means waiting until the scars have resolved or have reached a permanent stage in the healing process.

Are you ready to get the help you need to sort out your dog bite claim and get the compensation you deserve? Contact the dog bite attorneys at Eason & Tambornini today to schedule your free, no-risk consultation at (916) 438-1819.