Northern California dog bite law firm

How Much is My Dog Bite Claim Worth?

May 31, 2020 | Gregory J. Brod

Under California’s strict liability laws, individuals that are bitten by a dog are entitled to hold the owner liable for paying compensation. Dog bites are very serious injuries and can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, deep cuts, and secondary infections. These injuries are not only painful, but they are also expensive to treat.

While it is important to remain realistic about the damages one may receive, it is just as important to not undervalue a claim. Although no one can say with certainty how much a dog bite claim is worth, there are some guidelines you can follow to determine how much you can recover in damages.

The Nature and Extent of Your Injuries

What You Must Prove in a Dog Bite Claim

March 31, 2020 | Gregory J. Brod

In the best of cases, a dog bite results in only very minor injuries. In the worst cases, victims suffer severe lacerations that often come with complications, permanent scarring, and more. When accident victims suffer from these injuries, they can file a claim against the dog owner to secure compensation that can help with their recovery. California is a strict liability state. This means that victims do not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent or knew of a dog’s violent history. However, there are still certain elements of proof that are required in dog bite cases. These are outlined below.

You Were Legally Located

To have a valid dog bite claim, you must have legally been on the property where you were bitten. If you were in a public space, such as a park, you likely have a valid claim. If you were legally on private property, such as at a friend’s house, you also likely have a valid claim. However, if you were illegally on property, you are considered a trespasser and you may not have a valid dog bite claim.

Northern California Dog Bite Lawyer on Police Dog Attacks

February 12, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

As readers of this blog know, we are proud to serve as a dog bite law firm for Oakland, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and all of Northern California. In today’s blog post, we look at a very specific category of dog-inflicted injuries, police dog bites. Although police dogs can be an important and justified law enforcement tool, there are times when police dogs attack the wrong person or are not trained in a proper manner causing undue injury to their victims.

Hayward Settles Claim Involving Use of Police Dog

The Oakland Tribune announced this week that the city of Hayward has entered into a settlement in a lawsuit involving a police dog that inflicted serious injuries on a man. According to his Complaint, in March 2014 the man had been seated in his car in the driveway at his workplace when a police car pulled up next to him. After shining a light into his vehicle, again per the man’s claims, an officer handcuffed the man while another officer held him down with a knee to his back. The man alleged that the police then released a dog which tore at him inflicting serious injury to his arm and chin. The city agreed to pay the man $45,000 to dismiss the claim, but declined to issue any further comments on the matter.

Northern California Dog Bite Lawyer Looks at the Facts and the Law on Dog Attacks

January 8, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

People with pets understand that dogs are family. A dog can be a longtime companion and confidant, a true ally who is always on your side. Sadly, however, sometimes we are reminded that dogs are indeed animals. As a San Francisco/Oakland dog bite lawyer, Attorney Brod helps people who are injured or who lose a loved one after a mauling or other form of animal attack. Dog bites are an emotionally charged topic for any animal lover, but ultimately we believe that people must be held responsible for the acts of their animals. California dog bite law agrees.

Dogs Fatally Attack 9-Year-Old Boy

NBC Bay Area recently reported on the tragic death of a 9-year-old boy who was mauled to death by three pit bulls on Sunday. Yuba County Sherriff’s Department officials told reporters that the child’s 24-year-old guardian left the boy alone in the Linda, California mobile home with her three pit bulls when she went to work. The woman returned three hours later to find the child had been mauled by the animals. The boy was taken to a hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. Animal Care Services denies having any history with the animals, but took possession of them in the wake of the attack.