Tustin Dog Bite Lawyer

Tustin Dog Bite Attorney

Dogs are popular pets in California, and in Southern California in particular, large and statistically aggressive breeds are remarkably popular. While most people regularly enjoy positive interactions with dogs, it is possible for a dog to bite and injure someone unexpectedly. If this has happened to you, you need to speak to a Tustin dog bite lawyer at Duque & Price to determine your legal options for recovery.

Representing Dog Bite Victims in Tustin, CA

The personal injuries attorneys at Duque & Price have extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases in Tustin and the areas surrounding it. In every case we accept, we try to help our clients recover as fully as state law allows. We know how damaging and traumatic a dog attack can be and will do everything we can to ensure accountability for the incident.

Tustin is home to more than 77,000 residents and is considered one of the wealthier areas of Orange County, but it’s important to acknowledge the fact that dog attacks can happen unexpectedly in any place. Whether you were injured while strolling through Tustin Legacy Park or visiting the Orange Dog Park Association with your own pet, you need to consult an experienced attorney right away if you or a loved one are bitten by someone else’s dog.

Recently, the LA Times reported that in 2022 alone, there were more than 48,500 emergency room visits for dog bites statewide, meaning 125 bites per 100,000 residents. While many dog attacks only result in injuries, some of these incidents are unfortunately fatal, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that children under five are more than twice as likely to die from dog attacks than victims in other age groups.

Whether you are seeking recompense for your own injuries or on behalf of a critically injured family member, Duque & Price can do everything we can to maximize your compensation. Our firm has resolved many complex personal injury cases, and we are confident we can guide you to a positive outcome for your dog bite case in Tustin.

Recovering Compensation for a Dog Bite in Tustin

In most personal injury cases, the injured plaintiff will need to prove that a defendant’s negligence or intentional misconduct directly caused the plaintiff’s damages in order for them to succeed with the case. However, there is a strict liability statute for dog attacks in California. This means that a dog owner is fully liable for any damages their pet causes to another person, regardless of whether the dog owner was negligent in their handling of the dog.

In order for strict liability to apply in a dog bite case, the injured victim must prove that they did not provoke the attack and that they were legally present at the location where the attack happened. For example, if someone breaks into another person’s home and the homeowner’s dog attacks the intruder, strict liability will not apply as the victim entered the property illegally.

Your Tustin dog bite lawyer can help you establish liability for the incident and determine the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant. The value of your case depends upon the overall severe nature of your injuries and whether you suffered any long-term or permanent harm.

A successful case could yield recompense for your medical bills, lost income if you are unable to work due to your injuries, and for your pain and suffering. The attorneys at Duque & Price approach every personal injury case we accept with the goal of maximizing our client’s recovery as much as state law allows, so contact our team at your first opportunity to learn more about the legal services we offer for dog bite cases in Tustin.

FAQs

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Receive for a Dog Bite in Tustin?

A: The amount of compensation you can receive for a dog bite in Tustin is dependent on the severe nature of your injuries and whether strict liability applies. If it does, the dog owner is fully responsible for any economic and non-economic damages you suffered. These damages could include your medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you experienced.

Q: How Do You Prove Liability for a Dog Bite in California?

A: Proving liability for a dog bite in California comes down to understanding the state’s strict liability statute for dog attacks. Under this rule, a dog owner is strictly liable for any damages their pet causes to another party, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was potentially dangerous. The dog owner does not necessarily need to have been negligent in order for strict liability to apply.

Q: When Should I Contact a Tustin Dog Bite Lawyer?

A: You should contact a Tustin dog bite lawyer at your first opportunity following the incident. Your attorney can gather the evidence needed to establish liability for the attack and accurately determine the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim. You have a relatively limited time in which to file the case, so it is always ideal to start working with an attorney as quickly as possible to ensure the greatest chance of success with your case.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Tustin Dog Bite Lawyer?

A: You should hire a Tustin dog bite lawyer to ensure the greatest chance of success with your case. Even if the strict liability rule appears to make your case seem straightforward, you still need an experienced attorney’s help to ensure maximum recompense for your damages and to resolve any unexpected disputes that arise during your case. You’re more likely to win and maximize your recovery with an attorney’s assistance.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Tustin Dog Bite Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a Tustin dog bite lawyer will be a percentage of your total case award or settlement when you choose Duque & Price as your legal counsel. We take personal injury cases on contingency, meaning our client does not pay upfront fees. Instead, we take a percentage of the total amount recovered, and only if we win. If there is no recovery for any reason, there is no fee.

Contact Our Skilled Tustin Dog Bite Lawyer

The attorneys at Duque & Price have years of experience helping injured clients recover in Tustin and the areas surrounding it. We are confident we can help you reach a positive outcome for your case and do everything we can to maximize your recovery. If you’re ready to learn how a Tustin dog bite lawyer can help with your case, contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team.