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Dog Bites
If you recently suffered a dog bite, the animal’s owner could be held liable for your injuries. Dog bites can cause serious injury, and the responsible person should be held accountable in court.
If you were bitten by someone else’s dog and sustained injury from the bite, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Animal attack victims have the right to sue the pet owner for compensation related to their medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
To learn more about personal injury lawsuits in Oceanside stemming from dog bites, read the information below. Then, call an experienced Oceanside dog bite lawyer today to discuss your legal options.
Dog Bite Injuries
One of the most common types of animal-related injuries in California is dog bites. Any kind of animal bite can cause serious injury or health complications. However, dog bites, in particular, pose a higher risk to those bitten. This is partially due to the fact that many households include a pet dog.
In fact, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that nearly half of all American households have a dog. This means that someone’s chances of encountering a strange dog are high, and come with the associated risk of suffering a dog bite. Health risks associated with dog bites can include:
- Exposure to rabies, tetanus, staph infections, and other diseases
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Deep lacerations
- Bruising
- Blood loss
- Disfigurement
- Puncture wounds
One of the most serious health risks resulting from dog bites is an infection. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that almost 20 percent of all dog bites become infected. These infections can lead to further health complications, including skin, heart, and sensory complications. In some cases, infections resulting from dog bites can turn fatal.
Oceanside Dog Owner Liability
Why should a dog bite victim sue the pet’s owner? The above injuries, infections, and health complications usually lead to expensive medical care for dog bite victims. This means that an injured victim suffers financially due to the bite.
In California, dog owners are strictly liable for the injuries their pet causes. In other words, when a dog bites someone, in most cases, the owner is responsible for any injuries that result from the bite and the injured party should consult with an Oceanside dog bite lawyer.
Even when a dog never showed aggression before, their owner can be held liable for injuries related to any bite. To prove a dog owner’s liability, and receive financial compensation from the owner, a dog bite victim must prove:
- The attack occurred on property the victim was lawfully visiting (i.e., the victim was not trespassing when they suffered the bite)
- Who the dog owner is
- The victim suffered injury due to the bite
- The dog caused the injury
Because injured victims must prove these four elements, dog bite cases can be complicated. In some cases, victims must rely on experts to prove their injuries were related to the bite itself, and not another external factor.
This is why any animal attack victim should contact an Oceanside dog bite lawyer right away. An attorney can help prove the above elements and hold the dog owner responsible for the damage their pet caused.
Contact an Oceanside Dog Bite Attorney Today
Were you recently bitten or attacked by someone else’s dog? If so, now is the time to call an Oceanside dog bite lawyer.