Riverside Dog Bite Lawyer

Riverside Dog Bite Attorney

Dogs are very popular pets in Riverside and throughout California, and most people routinely have fun experiences with their dogs and others without issue. However, it is important to remember that any dog has the potential to lash out unexpectedly. While some breeds are physically more capable of causing tremendous harm, the reality is that even seemingly pleasant and socialized dogs can attack without warning.

Riverside Dog Bite Lawyer

Helping Dog Bite Victims Recover in Riverside, CA

If you or a loved one recently suffered an injury in a dog attack in Riverside, you have the right to pursue compensation for the damages you suffered. An experienced Riverside dog bite attorney can help prove liability for the attack and recover compensation for your losses. The state enforces the strict liability rule for dog attacks, meaning a dog’s owner is strictly liable for all damages their pet inflicts on a person, but there are specific legal issues you must address effectively to reach the optimal outcome to your impending case.

Easton & Easton has a seasoned team of attorneys offering comprehensive personal injury counsel in Riverside and surrounding communities. Our firm has years of professional experience helping clients recover from all types of personal injuries, including those caused by dogs. If you believe you have grounds for a civil suit against the owner of the dog that recently attacked you, we can help build your claim and recover compensation for your damages.

Understanding the State’s Strict Liability Rule

The term “strict liability” indicates that an individual is fully responsible for certain damages. When it comes to dog attacks, California law maintains that the dog owner is strictly liable for all damages their pet inflicts on others. “Strict” implies that there are minimal exceptions to this rule. It does not matter if a dog has no history of prior aggression or if it gave little to no warning of the attack. The only prerequisites for strict liability to apply in a dog bite case are lack of provocation and legal presence at the location where the attack occurred.

If you intend to allege strict liability in a dog bite claim, you must first prove that you did not provoke the dog to attack in any way. If you were aggressive toward the dog’s owner or abused the dog and the dog attacked you in response, the dog was acting defensively against you, and strict liability would not apply. Similarly, you do not have grounds for a claim if you were bitten by a property owner’s dog while trespassing on their property. You must have been legally present at the location where the attack occurred; otherwise, you have no grounds for a claim against the dog owner in Riverside, CA.

Potential Damages in a Dog Bite Claim

A dog attack has the potential to cause tremendous harm to the victim. When most people think of dog attacks, they immediately think of bites, and a dog bite can potentially cause devastating injury to the victim. A dog bite might cause puncture wounds, break bones, and even cause nerve damage. If the dog thrashes after it bites, it could cause a joint dislocation and tear the skin causing severe bleeding.

Dogs are also capable of knocking a victim to the ground in an attack, potentially resulting in a traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, or damage to their internal organs. Ultimately, a dog attack has the potential to result in multiple physical injuries. The experience itself is also highly traumatic, and many dog attack victims experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health complications in the aftermath of these incidents.

Filing Your Personal Injury Claim for a Dog Attack in Riverside

Success with a personal injury claim for a dog attack in Riverside will require establishing strict liability. Your Riverside dog bite attorney can help prove that you did not instigate the attack in any way and that you were legally present at the location where the attack occurred. Once you have established strict liability, you can proceed with claiming compensation for the damages you suffered.

Most personal injury cases are resolved in private settlements. This process allows all parties involved in the case to avoid the stress, expense, and time investment required of litigation. It also allows them to have more control over the outcome and reach more personalized results than they could expect if a judge ruled on the case. As long as you have a good attorney representing you and the defendant accepts liability, it is possible to settle a dog bite claim in a matter of a few weeks. However, if the defendant disputes liability or disagrees with the amount of damages you are claiming, it may not be possible to resolve the case privately. If a settlement is not an option, the case will proceed to litigation, and a judge will have the final say on the outcome.

Damages You Can Claim in a Dog Bite Case in Riverside

The goal of your personal injury case is to prove fault for your damages and secure the compensation you need to recover from your losses as fully as possible. California’s personal injury laws allow the plaintiff in a dog bite claim to seek compensation for any direct financial losses they incurred because of the defendant’s actions. In a dog bite claim, your claimable economic damages are likely to include:

  • Medical treatment costs. The defendant is liable for the costs of all medical treatments you need to recover as fully as possible from your injuries. Your Riverside dog bite attorney can review your medical treatment records and billing history to ensure the defendant is held fully accountable for both immediate and long-term medical expenses resulting from the incident.
  • Lost income. Many people who are severely injured in dog attacks need time to recover before they are able to return to work. If you cannot work and earn income due to your recent dog attack in Riverside, the defendant is responsible for your lost wages. Similarly, if the attack has left you permanently disabled and you cannot work in the future, the defendant is also responsible for your lost future earning capacity.
  • Property damage. If the dog also damages or destroys any of your personal property, the dog owner is liable for all associated property losses.

The average person is usually capable of assessing immediately recognizable damages, but they may struggle to accurately calculate long-term losses like future medical treatment costs and lost earning potential. Beyond economic damages, the plaintiff also has the right to claim pain and suffering compensation to reflect the severity of their experience.

California law does not limit or cap pain and suffering compensation in dog bite claims. This means that once you prove the full extent of the injuries you suffered, you have the right to seek as much compensation as you believe to be appropriate to reflect the physical pain and psychological trauma you experienced from the dog attack.

Attorneys typically use two methods to calculate pain and suffering compensation for their clients. The first is the per diem method, most often used when a client is expected to fully recover from their injuries. Their attorney can set a daily compensation rate they believe appropriate to reflect the victim’s condition and then multiply this amount by the number of days it takes the client to fully recover. The second method is the multiplier method, most often used when a client faces long-term or permanent effects from the attack. The attorney adds up the total of their client’s economic damages and then multiplies the total by a factor of one to five.

Ultimately, you could be legally entitled to claim more compensation than you may initially expect, and having the right attorney handle your case is the optimal method of enhancing your case award as fully as state law allows. When you choose Easton & Easton to represent your dog bite case in Riverside, we can immediately begin gathering whatever evidence you will need to assert strict liability and prove the full extent of your damages. We typically aim to settle our clients’ cases as quickly as possible, but if we must litigate to win your compensation, we are fully prepared to represent you in court.

Dog Bite Attorneys FAQs

Q: Can I Sue for a Dog Bite in Riverside?

A: Yes. If you were harmed by someone else’s dog in Riverside, state law enforces strict liability for these incidents. That means that the dog’s owner is fully responsible for your damages, regardless of whether the dog had any previous history of aggression. You simply need to prove that you were legally present wherever the attack occurred and that you did not provoke the dog to attack in any way.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Dog Bite in Riverside?

A: The owner of the dog that attacked you will be liable for all medical expenses you incur for the treatment of your injuries. Additionally, if you cannot work after the incident while you recover, they are also liable for the income you cannot earn during this time. Your Riverside dog bite attorney can help you recover the maximum compensation possible for your compensatory damages. State law also allows you to seek compensation for the pain and suffering you endured, and there is no limit to this aspect of your case award in a dog bite case. Your Riverside dog bite attorney can provide an estimate of your claim’s total potential value if you win.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Dog Attack in Riverside?

A: There is a two-year statute of limitations that applies to personal injury cases in Riverside. This means that you need to file your claim within two years of the date the dog attack occurred; otherwise, you will no longer be able to seek compensation for your losses from the dog owner. Two years might sound like more than enough time in which to file a case, but the reality is that it takes time to gather the foundational materials of your claim, and you have the greatest chance of success if you start the claim filing process as soon as possible.

Q: What Happens to the Dog After It Has Bitten Someone?

A: In most cases, nothing will happen to the dog after it has bitten someone. The owner may need to surrender it briefly for a medical examination to ensure it does not have communicable diseases. However, if the dog has a history of multiple attacks and a judge determines the dog to be unreasonably dangerous, the owner could be compelled to meet very specific requirements for handling the dog to ensure it does not bite anyone again. In extreme cases, a dog may be ordered to be euthanized.

Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Riverside Dog Bite Attorney?

A: It is natural to worry about the potential cost of hiring an attorney if you are already struggling with the financial effects of your recent dog attack. However, if you choose Easton & Easton to represent your case, there is no risk of your attorneys’ fees outweighing the final case award you obtain. Our firm accepts personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only take a percentage of your final case award as our fee, and we only take this fee if and when we win your case. If our team is unable to secure compensation for you, there is no fee.

The attorneys at Easton & Easton have extensive professional experience assisting dog bite victims with their recovery efforts, and we know the legal challenges you are likely to face when you are seeking compensation for your damages. Our firm’s goal is to help you approach your case with confidence and secure maximum recovery from the losses you suffered in the shortest possible amount of time. If you are ready to learn what our team can do for you in your impending dog bite claim, contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Riverside dog bite attorney.

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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…

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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…
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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…

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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…

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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!!

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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.

Jeffrey N.

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!

Mark B.

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.

Vamsi P.

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.

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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.

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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

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