Bakersfield Dog Bite Lawyers
Pursue Restitution that Safeguards Your Quality of Life
For millions of Americans, dogs are more than just pets; they’re important family members that fill our days with love and fuzzy smiles. For this reason and more, dogs are widely regarded as “man’s best friend.” However, dogs have unique personalities and aren’t always comfortable around strangers and children. Even the beloved family pet can lash out in self-defense if it feels anxious or threatened. In fact, the CDC estimates that there were over 5 million dog bit injuries reported in the years spanning 2001 to 2016. Fortunately, California residents can pursue compensatory damages if they’ve been bitten or otherwise harmed by a domesticated pet.
Contact the Bakersfield dog bite attorneys at Campbell Whitten if you’ve been injured by an animal and require legal guidance. Serious dog bite injuries can lead to expensive medical procedures and ongoing treatment programs. In certain cases, a victim may even require therapy sessions and additional surgeries to mitigate the lasting damage. Our experienced trial lawyers can investigate the incident, compile critical evidence, and calculate your existing and projected injury-related expenses to construct a litigation strategy that reflects your overall legal objectives.
Contact Campbell Whitten at (661) 771-3077 to discuss your case with a knowledgeable legal professional.
California’s Dog Bite Statute
Per California Civil Code Section 3342, a pet owner can be held liable for damages if their dog bites a “person in a public place or lawfully in a private place.” Because California is a strict liability state, this law applies even if the animal never displayed viciousness or hostility in the past. Luckily, this also means that your legal team doesn’t need to prove that the owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent the incident.
You can be awarded the following damages in a personal injury lawsuit:
Medical expenses
Rehabilitative services
Lost wages
Loss of future income
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Punitive damages
Before filing a claim, it’s important to take pictures of your wounds and request copies of your medical record. This documentation can be used as evidence in your personal injury case.
Of course, the pet owner may try to mitigate their losses by claiming that you were trespassing on private property or intentionally provoked their dog. For this reason, it’s imperative that you discuss your legal options with an attorney as soon as possible.
Schedule a Consultation Today
In California, you only have 2 years to file a personal injury claim after a dog bite incident. Call the Bakersfield dog bite attorneys at Campbell Whitten before this deadline runs out. During your free consultation, one of our trial-tested lawyers can listen to your story and explain your legal options. You can trust our legal team to stand by your side through each step of this legal journey. With our help, you can file an effective claim and recover damages that safeguard your quality of life.
Contact Campbell Whittenat (661) 771-3077 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
