Anaheim Dog Bite Lawyer
Anaheim Dog Bite Attorney
An Anaheim dog bite lawyer at Easton & Easton advocates for clients who have been injured in sudden and unforeseen dog attacks across the city. Dog attacks can happen anywhere at any time, but most often occur in residential neighborhoods, apartment complexes, or shared public spaces.
A dog attack can leave an individual with serious physical injuries, as well as emotional distress. In many cases, California law places strict liability on dog owners, but individuals may still have questions about insurance coverage, proper documentation of injuries, and legal responsibility. An attorney can help those who have been injured in dog attacks evaluate their options and determine how the California dog bite law applies to their case.
Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer
Easton & Easton has been advocating for injured Orange County victims for decades in cases that involve in-depth liability investigation and insurance analysis. The firm’s attorneys have over 100 years of combined litigation experience in personal injury law, including dog bite cases with issues related to homeowners’ insurance policies, rental properties, and third-party coverage.
Easton & Easton is a Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers recognized law firm. We thoroughly prepare and develop each case with an evidence-based approach.
Dog Bite Liability Under California’s Strict Liability Law
California’s dog bite law is a strict liability statute that allows a victim to hold an owner liable even if the dog had never bitten anyone previously. The rule applies even if there was no intention or prior knowledge of aggression.
The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people experience dog bites annually in the United States. With the number of dogs in Anaheim neighborhoods, apartment communities, and shared outdoor areas, strict liability is often a primary concern when determining whether an injured person has a valid claim.
Common Locations for Dog Bite Incidents in Anaheim
Dog bite incidents can happen in a variety of everyday settings where people and dogs commonly interact. This can include residential neighborhoods, apartment complexes, common outdoor areas for residents, and public places like La Palma Park, Pearson Park, and the walking paths surrounding Anaheim Elementary School District campuses.
Dog bites also could occur along neighborhood sidewalks near high foot traffic corridors such as Brookhurst Street, Katella Avenue, and Euclid Street. Depending on the specific facts and location of a dog bite incident, a number of different issues can impact a claim, including lawful presence, leash requirements, and insurance coverage.
Injuries and Medical Concerns After a Dog Bite
Dog bite injuries vary from mild to severe and can cause puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, and infection. Infection can be a significant problem when treatment is delayed. Scarring is a potential permanent result of dog bites. Some injuries can cause lasting harm and require reconstructive surgery.
Children are more susceptible to dog bite injuries than adults, as the height difference puts them at the level of a dog’s face. Medical treatment plays a factor in a dog bite claim, as doctors and hospitals create and maintain medical documentation throughout treatment. The treatment history and follow-up appointments substantiate the damages, injuries, and medical costs. Early examination of a dog bite can be critical to recovery and for insurance or legal issues.
Insurance Coverage Issues in Anaheim Dog Bite Claims
The majority of dog bite claims are made against homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies, rather than against the dog owner’s personal assets. Insurance coverage is often in dispute over policy exclusions, coverage limits, or whether the bite took place in an insured location. Dog attacks in a residential setting are an ongoing and serious issue.
In 2023, there were more than 5,800 dog attacks on postal carriers reported nationwide to the US Postal Service. This represents the high frequency of dog bites and attacks around homes and neighborhoods where victims are injured. In Anaheim, one of the important and often one of the first questions in a claim is what insurance coverage, if any, may apply.
FAQs
What Law Governs Dog Bite Liability in California?
Dog bite claims in California are covered under Civil Code § 3342. The dog owner is strictly liable if the bite occurs in a public place or when the injured person was on private property and lawfully there. The injured person does not have to show the dog’s previous aggression or negligence of the owner for liability to be imposed.
Does a Dog Owner Have a Defense if the Victim Knew the Dog?
Merely knowing the dog or its owner is not a bar to a dog bite claim in California. Most defenses to a dog bite claim focus on whether the bite happened and if the victim was lawfully on the property. State law doesn’t consider the relationship of the parties in a dog bite case unless the facts support another defense.
What if the Dog Bite Did Not Break the Skin?
It may still be possible to file a dog bite claim if the dog did not puncture the skin. There are some circumstances when someone can suffer a crushing injury, bruising, nerve damage, or infection that could be categorized as a dog bite without any lacerations. This is why it is usually advisable to get a medical opinion regarding any injury and document it with a report.
Are Dog Owners Liable if the Bite Occurred on Private Property?
Dog owners may still be liable for a bite on private property if the injured party was lawfully on the property, such as guests, delivery people, or a person entering the property for other reasons. Claims are frequently determined by whether or not the injured person had permission to be on the property, rather than the type of property.
Contact an Anaheim Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bite injuries can cause permanent physical and emotional damage. California law offers key protections for victims, but every case turns on its own facts. Easton & Easton advocates for people injured in dog attacks and can assess liability, insurance coverage, and legal options. Schedule a consultation to hire a dog bite lawyer today.
Anaheim, CA Dog Bite Law Resources
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The superior client service Easton & Easton provides has earned the firm an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen anew each year since 2014 by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as one of the "Best Law Firms" for the Southern California Metro Area.
Easton & Easton is honored to have been chosen by OC Register Voters as "The Best Law Firm in Orange County” each year since voting began in 2022.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have all been selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers for California by the National Trial Lawyers — a membership organization limited to less than 1% of attorneys.
Doug, Brian, Matt, Travis and Gabe have each been selected to "Best Lawyers" for Plaintiff's Personal Injury Litigation. Best Lawyers selects the Top 5% of attorneys based on peer voting and client reviews.
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as the #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement in California in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Doug, Brian, and Matt Easton have each been selected by Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 5% of attorneys. Travis, Gabe and Brenda have all been selected among Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars in Southern California.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a Top 10 Personal Injury Settlement in California in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Easton & Easton received the “People Love Us On Yelp” award in 2016 due to the exceptional client satisfaction reviews given by our clients over the years.
Easton & Easton was recently honored for securing a $32,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2024 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian, Matt, and Travis Easton have each earned lifetime appointment to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum — The Top Trial Lawyers in America™ through the results achieved for their clients (an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the United States).
Doug Easton has held the “AV Preeminent” Rating for over 30 years and Matt Easton received this prestigious distinction in 2015. The "AV Preeminent" rating is the highest possible rating for both legal ability and ethical standards, and is based on the legal profession’s oldest peer review rating system, dating back to 1887.
We were recently honored for securing a $26,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as a the #1 Personal Injury Settlement in Los Angeles County in 2023 by TopVerdict.com.
Brian Easton was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 2015. ABOTA is one of the most premier associations of trial attorneys and judges, requiring a certain number of jury trials as lead counsel and approval by a majority vote of the ABOTA board.
Matt, Travis, Gabe and Brenda have all been selected at some point as one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 for California by The National Trial Lawyers — an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys.
Easton & Easton was honored for securing a $20,000,000 settlement for our client, which was selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in the entire United States in 2019 by TopVerdict.com.
Both Doug and Matt Easton have been selected as Top Personal Injury Attorneys by Avvo with scores of 10 out of 10 based on their skill, experience, results, peer evaluations, and client reviews.
Easton & Easton was honored to have been chosen by the LA Times Reader's Choice Poll as "The Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Orange County" for 2018-2020 (each year the voting took place).
We were recently honored for our efforts in securing a $1,850,000 verdict for a client, which was selected as one of the Top 50 Personal Injury Verdicts in California in 2016 by TopVerdict.com.
Awards/recognitions noted are from organizations recognized within the legal profession as bona fide.
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“We look for the human story behind every injury or wrongful death. We prepare our cases for trial; reaching out to the jury with the most compelling evidence possible for the best verdict possible. Insurance companies know this and come to the table prepared to negotiate in good faith. Call us to see how we can turn your story into fair compensation.”
Partner W. Douglas Easton
What Our Clients Say
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Coming out of my first auto accident as an adult, a very difficult and scary time to navigate and understand, I was so incredibly thankful to have been put in contact with Easton & Easton. I honestly was lost with how to handle paperwork, doctors, medical costs and what next steps were, and from the moment I spoke with Travis Easton and my case manager Katie, my mind was put at ease. They have made the entire process stress free for me as I recovered, and I am so grateful for them and their genuine care for my case. Communication from the start has been fantastic, especially making clear what my expectations for the entire process would look like, and I truly believe they have my best interest at heart. 100% I would recommend their firm for anyone that is needing representation! Read more…
My experience with Easton & Easton has been amazing! Gabriel Mendoza and my case manager Katie have been so helpful and taken so much stress off my plate. They’ve been super informative and honest and given me very clear expectations. They’ve taken such a terrible experience (my accident) and eased my mind about the outcome. I can’t thank them enough!! Read more…
Ive used them twice and never been disappointed. Read more…
The Easton & Easton Law Firm is amazing! The entire team is very helpful and caring. They were always there to answer all my questions. They directed me through the entire process and stayed with me every step of the way. This team is outstanding and were wonderful to work with. Because of the tremendous effort they put on my case they were able to win my difficult personal injury case. I couldn’t have asked for a better law firm to handle my case. They are the Best! Thank you for your patience, professionalism, & guidance! I definitely recommend this firm to handle your case. They go out of their way to fight for your rights. THANK YOU… Read more…
I could not be more pleased with the services provided by the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton. The senior partner Mr. Easton took the time to meet with me and my wife while I was still in the hospital, where he gave my family hope that there was light at the end of a very long, and very dark tunnel. Matt Easton then worked my case, and because of his dedication, experience and expertise I received a settlement that was larger than I EVER thought possible. It was truly astounding! Matt and the entire team at Easton & Easton looked out for me throughout my recovery, and in the end they gave me my life back. Five stars is not enough. Thanks Matt! Thanks Easton & Easton! Read more…
Brian and everyone at Easton and Easton are simply the BEST at what they do. Brian is thorough, easy to talk to, and truly cares about his clients. If you want a family of attorneys with perseverance and determination to fight for you, give Easton and Easton a call. I am glad I did. Read more…
What an amazing law firm, talk about going above and beyond to make such a painful experience go so well. I have referred a co-worker and a family member to them as well and everyone had such a great experience as I had. Read more…
I can’t say enough amazing things about my experience with Travis Easton at Easton & Easton. Travis and his entire team (Katie, Amy, Dee, Michelle, & Araceli) are phenomenal. It provided me a lot of comfort to know I was being so well taken care of. I was especially impressed that every document for the case was perfectly written and specific to me. Nothing was generic, which shows the level of care and attention they put into each individual case. I had such a great experience and would highly recommend Travis Easton and his firm to anyone going through a personal injury. Travis took a bad situation and made the best of it for me. Thank you again, I’m forever grateful!!
-Allee
Retaining Easton and Easton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! From the initial consultation to our final meeting, they were nothing short of exceptional. I was forced to retain their services after firing my previous attorney for not handling the case properly. I dealt with Gabriel and Brian (partner) exclusively throughout the case. They did as promised and were great communicators throughout the entire process. I will recommend them to anyone I know going through a personal injury case. They were ultimately able to untangle the mess caused by my previous lawyer and get a result that I was extremely happy with. Their staff is exceptional as well and provided top notch customer service. Amera was also extremely helpful and easy to deal with as well.
I was in a pretty bad car accident and decided to have Easton & Easton represent me, Travis Easton to be specific. Travis Easton and his paralegal made the whole process effortless. They were so understanding and helpful! The entire thing was a gigantic mess, yet Travis managed to make it run like clockwork. I would HIGHLY recommend Easton & Easton! If you are ever in need of a personal defense attorney Easton & Easton is the firm to represent you!
They are the best law firm in Orange County period. Choosing them to represent me was the best decision of my life.
My life changed in a matter of seconds after a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me disabled. Brian Easton and his team worked on my case non stop for 3 years and provided me the justice I deserved. I couldn’t have been more content.
I was treated with utmost respect and I felt like I was being represented by a close family member. The responses to my questions were quick and clear. What E & E has done for me is phenomenal.
My sincere thanks to Brian, Matt, Travis, Doug, Gabriel and Amera. They are what they are because of their dedication to provide high quality and professional service to their clients.
Brian Easton and his team, Gabe Mendoza and Amera Hajali, helped me during a very difficult time in my life. I had a significant injury from a car accident, and wound up seeking out Easton & Easton when I was having difficulties getting help from my doctors. The Easton team took a lot of stress off of me while acting as my advocates to help me get the care I needed, and saw my case all the way through to a healthy settlement.
They are the BEST!
I have nothing but good things to say about Easton and Easton. Brian handled my case professionally and communicated with me effectively throughout the process. He made sure that the process was effortless and as hands free as possible. This was super important for my busy schedule. I highly recommend Easton and Easton if you are ever found in a situation that you need an attorney.
I would highly recommend Easton & Easton.
I was rear ended on my home and pushed into a semi-truck. I was not sure how to go about even using an attorney.
Brian, Gab and Amera were so good about helping me thru the process and representing me.
I was able to concentrate on getting myself better knowing they had my back, taking care of the details and keeping me informed along the way
The best Law firm by far. I would highly recommend Easton & Easton, LLP and ask for Gabriel Mendoza and staff. He and his colleagues did and exceptional service. Thank you for everything. Job well done!
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