Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog Attacks Cause Serious Personal Injuries – You Have the Right to Compensation For Your Injuries

Dog attacks represent some of the most gruesome personal injuries that are suffered, particularly where a child is involved (as is often the case). In its most recent study, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that at least 27 people died as the result of dog bite attacks (18 people in 1997 and 9 in 1998. Of 27 human dog bite related fatalities (DBRF), 19 (70%) were children (1 was 30 days old, 3 were between 7 and 11 months old, 9 were between 1 and 4 years old, and 6 were between 5 and 11 years old), and 8 were adults (ages 17, 44, 64, 70, 73, 75, 75, and 87). It is important to teach children to be safe around dogs to prevent these catastrophic events from occurring.

California has a strict liability dog bite statute that states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages inflicted by his/her dog if it bites a person who is either in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. Cal Civ Code § 3342. The dog owner is liable regardless of whether the dog had ever been vicious before and regardless of whether the owner had reason to believe it would behave in a vicious manner. The dog does not get “one free bite.”

If a stray bites you, you have little legal recourse because you must file your claim against a dog’s owner or keeper. Your municipality is not responsible for the dog, even if you have called the animal warden several times to pick up the stray.

More Information: Injuries From Dog Attacks Where the Victim was not Bitten

John Rapillo, OC Trial Lawyer for Dog Bite Lawsuits

Law Offices in Hunting Beach and Newport Beach

In all dog bite and dog attack cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the incident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate your injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of a dog bite, or has suffered other injuries as the result of an attack by a dog, call our Southern California wrongful death law offices now toll free at 800-814-4771; or call our Newport Beach Office at 949-675-5060; Huntington Beach Office: 714-848-4849 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. California law has statutes that require you to take legal action within a certain period of time or forfeit your rights to seek  justice … the sooner you call, the sooner we can help you.

Do Not Settle With an Insurance Company Without Consulting an Attorney

Insurance companies may attempt to settle with you for your injuries.  But insurance companies only care about paying the least amount possible on any claim.  At the Law Offices of John Rapillo, unlike insurance companies, we care about you and what you are going through. We offer a free legal consultation to help you understand your rights – rights insurance companies will not tell you about – and determine if you have the right to compensation for medical expense and for other damages including emotional distress and pain and suffering  resulting from your injuries.

Get a Free Consultation With an Experienced California Dog Bite Lawyer

Your initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds for you. We can advise you if you have a valid claim and if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a personal injury civil lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.  Contact us today.

Southern California attorney John Rapillo is a trial lawyer for plaintiffs (victims of animal attacks and dog bites.)  If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog and suffered a serious injury, Mr. Rapillo will attempt to settle your personal injury case — but will prepare to go to trial if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve. From his Orange County personal injury law offices in Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, California,  John Rapillo helps victims of dog and animal attacks throughout Southern California including: Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana Heights, Corona Del Mar, Garden Grove, Stanton, Rossmoor, Yorktown, Adams, Fountain Valley, Midway City, Golden West, Riverview, and Tustin.

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