Newport Beach Dog Bite Lawyer

Seeking Justice for Dog Bite Victims in Orange Couty

Being attacked by a dog is a frightening experience that may cause devastating injury and lasting emotional trauma. The Newport Beach dog bite lawyers at Manning Law, APC, use knowledge and experience gained over years of legal practice to help our clients recover compensation for their injuries.

• We have recovered millions in compensation for our injured clients
• We have more than 100 years of combined legal experience
• Personalized, one-on-one attention for every case
• You don't pay unless we win

Dog Bite Liability in California

California is a strict liability state, which means owners cannot claim they did not know the dog would be aggressive or bite someone. Regardless of whether the dog has bitten many times or never, the dog’s owner is responsible for damages that result from the dog biting another person

Proving Liability in Dog Bite Cases

To prove liability, you only need to show that the bite occurred in a public place or when you were lawfully on private property. Our Newport Beach dog bite lawyer stresses collecting evidence, which can be a crucial step in proving fault in most dog bite cases. This evidence includes things like medical records, medical bills, and pictures.

For our attorneys to prove negligence in dog biting cases, it is necessary to prove that the dog or property owner was aware of the potential threat posed by the dog and took no precautions to prevent the incident. 

Victims can secure compensation if it can be proven that the dog owner's negligence led to their injuries, such as by failing to keep the dog on a leash or in a fenced-in yard.

Exceptions to the Dog Bite Statute

There are certain exceptions to the dog bite statute, which can be found in Civil Code 3442. Some of these defenses include:

• The victim was unlawfully trespassing on private property
• The victim was partially at fault for what happened
• The victim assumed the risk of the injury
• The dog was carrying out military or police work

California's strict liability statute doesn't protect individuals injured by dogs that didn't bite them, such as from jumping or scratching.

When is a Dog Considered Dangerous in California?

California's strict liability statute applies regardless of an animal's history of aggression. However, California has unique laws concerning dogs that have previously been bitten or dogs that are declared potentially dangerous or vicious.

A dog is considered potentially dangerous in California if:

• It has forced people to defend themselves from aggressive behavior at least twice during the past three years,
• It has bitten someone without provocation, causing non-severe injuries, or
• It has killed or injured a domestic animal at least twice in the last three years

A dog is considered vicious if:

• It has seriously injured or killed someone without provocation, or
• A court has determined the dog to be potentially dangerous, and either the dog repeated the dangerous behavior or the owner failed to meet legal conditions

Owners of dangerous dogs may be ordered to prevent future attacks by removing them from the area or putting them down. Additionally, dog owners may sometimes face criminal liability if their unrestrained animals injure or kill someone with knowledge of their aggressive tendencies.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

Dog bites can cause severe and sometimes catastrophic injuries, and California has more dog bites than any other state. Victims of dog bites can seek compensation for expenses related to the incident, such as the cost of medical care, lost wages due to the injury, pain, suffering, and other damages.

If a dog attack leads to a person's death, the victim's surviving family members may be able to recover additional compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. The specific damages depend on the age of the victim and the severity of the injury.

Dog bites can cause serious injuries, including:

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Lawsuits in California

Every state has a statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits. In California, the victims of dog bite injuries have two years to file a case or you may lose your right to recover damages. 

Our team recommends contacting us much sooner to allow plenty of time to investigate your claim, gather and preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and prepare your case.

Contact Our Newport Beach Dog Bite Attorney Today

Securing the compensation your recovery requires begins with getting in touch with a skilled Newport Beach dog bite attorney. We understand what you are going through and are prepared to fight in pursuit of justice on your behalf relentlessly.