Irvine Dog Bite Attorney

The United States Postal Service declares California to be the top state for dog bites. Nationwide, more than 900 emergency room visits each day are tied to dog bite injuries. Of these, more than 40% involve individuals under the age of 18. Researchers consider dog bite injuries to the head and neck a “significant public health problem.” A decade ago, there were 326,582 licensed and registered dogs in Orange County. Of course, this figure does not account for unregistered canines. While it is unclear how many dogs currently live in Irvine, we do know that the city allows up to three dogs per household.

These statistics demonstrate that you or a loved one may face a real risk of suffering a dog bite injury at some point in life. Whether caused by negligent pet ownership, an animal’s aggressive tendencies, or a protective instinct, dog bite injuries often result in serious physical harm, costly medical treatment, and long-term psychological trauma.

The Irvine dog bite attorneys at the MKP Law Group, LLP, recognize the disruption this type of personal injury causes to you and your family. Recovering from a dog bite frequently takes weeks, if not months. In the meantime, the medical bills pile up, you may not be able to work, and the insurance company offers you a pittance. Our team routinely represents Orange County dog bite victims to protect their legal rights and obtain fair compensation for economic and non-economic damages. You pay nothing unless we win, and we offer a free consultation to injury victims.

When the Unthinkable Happens — Your Rights After a Dog Bite in Irvine

Irvine Central Bark Dog Park is a designated off-leash area where interactions between people and unfamiliar dogs can create problems. That said, you may find off-leash dogs anywhere in public parks and on hiking trails because some owners do not follow the city’s leash laws. Even at home, there are risks. Residential neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and even the common areas of gated neighborhoods bring people and dogs together, creating risks.

Understanding your legal rights after suffering a dog bite is critical for receiving needed treatment and support. The primary goals are to:

• Secure adequate and fair compensation that covers medical bills and lost income.
• Document and preserve evidence that identifies the dog’s owner, the setting, and details regarding your injuries.
• Address the possible long-term impacts of the bite injury, which may refer to treatment for PTSD, scarring, and distress.

Most Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries

By far the most common dog bite injury is a puncture wound, which does not look like much; however, it is highly likely to become infected due to the animal’s mouth bacteria. Besides that, there are lacerations that may require surgical repairs, crush injuries that damage bones and muscles, and facial trauma. The dog’s owner and insurer will likely attempt to downplay the injuries. However, as the statistics have proven, injuries due to dog attacks are severe and deserve full medical and legal attention.

Immediate Steps After a Dog Bite

You may be startled, in pain, and feel scared. These are the steps to take, even if the injury looks minor or the dog’s owner tells you they will help you get cleaned up.

1. Put distance between you and the dog. Try to stop the bleeding as best as you can. Your physical safety is critical.
2. Get immediate medical attention. Professional wound care minimizes the risk of scarring and infection. It is also a starting point for a dog bite injury medical record that you will need if you intend to file a claim.
3. Photograph your injuries and the scene. Documentation creates the visual evidence that underscores the injury’s severity, along with the setting (in case the dog’s owner disputes your claim later).
4. Identify the dog’s owner and potential witnesses. A responsible dog owner will provide their name, address, and contact details, along with insurance information. Others will try to run away. Photograph the dog, the owner, and bystanders. These are your witnesses. Collect witness information.
5. Report the dog bite to OC Animal Care, which covers Irvine. The law requires that you report the bite by calling 714-935-6848 or filing your report online. This report creates an official legal record of the incident.
6. Save medical bills and track bite-related expenses. Even something as simple as a paper bag that contains your receipts is helpful.
7. Consult with an Irvine dog bite lawyer. There is a good chance that the insurer will ask you to provide a recorded statement or sign documentation summarizing their understanding of the incident. Do not do so without consulting with your attorney first!

Here is Why You Need an Irvine Dog Bite Lawyer

The dog’s owner is friendly and wants to help you. The insurer wants to talk to you and hints at a quick settlement. But hiring an Irvine dog bite lawyer ensures that your legal rights are truly protected. Dog bite claims are legally complex, involve the state’s strict liability statute, and an attorney’s involvement neutralizes insurance adjuster tactics designed to minimize a payout. Because an attorney and their team excel at strong case building and skilled negotiation techniques, you have leverage and do not have to take the first offer the insurer makes.

How the MKP Law Group Helps You Fight for Fair Compensation

When needed, we work with professional investigators who establish the facts, especially if the dog’s owner claims you are at fault. In the process, we navigate strict liability rules and exceptions. Additionally, we handle all communications from insurers so you can focus on healing. Most importantly, we will not add to your expenses. We charge you no fees unless we win.

California Dog Bite Laws — What You Need to Know

There are many misconceptions about the laws governing dog bite injuries. In general, the law recognizes a dog bite injury when the animal’s teeth or claws break your skin. It is immaterial if the injury looks minor or you do not feel pain right away.

California’s Strict Liability Rule

Under California law, dog owners are strictly liable for any dog bite injuries their animals cause. It does not matter if this is the first time the dog has bitten someone (the state does not recognize a one-bite rule), that the animal’s past behavior has been exemplary, or that there have been no signs of any viciousness. The strict liability rule applies as long as you were lawfully present at the location where you suffered the bite injury.

Exceptions & Special Situations

California’s strict liability law may not apply if you were trespassing or provoking the animal. Additionally, if the dog was a police or military canine acting in the line of duty, the strict liability law likely does not apply. Also, there is no strict liability if the dog was a stray animal without an identifiable owner.

Another special situation arises when insurance coverage is contested. For example, most dog bite claims are paid from a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. However, the insurer may dispute responsibility if:

• The company maintains breed restrictions, and the insured did not follow them and did not disclose the pet’s ownership.
• The dog was known to be aggressive, but its owner failed to disclose prior bites when taking out the insurance policy.
• The dog’s owner intentionally encouraged the animal to attack.

If there is no homeowner’s or renter’s insurance in place, it may be necessary to pursue compensation using the dog owner’s personal assets, a third-party liability claim, or an umbrella insurance policy.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Dog Bite?

The primary liability lies with the dog’s owner. However, there are times when someone who is not the animal’s legal owner must step up. This could be the dog sitter or walker, the owner’s friend who is watching and caring for the dog, or any relative who is temporarily caring for the animal while the owner is away. That said, liability does not necessarily end there.

For example, a landlord may be liable if they knew the dog was dangerous and failed to remove it. Another point of liability is a common area if the bite occurred there. In some cases, you may have a claim against a business if they allowed a dangerous dog on their premises, used a dog for security, or failed to protect anyone visiting the location from contact with the canine. If the area where you suffered the bite is controlled by a Homeowner Association (HOA), it may be liable if it knew about a dangerous dog on the property or failed to enforce pet rules and restrictions.

It is noteworthy that some dog owners may claim their minor child owns the dog. Even so, parents or legal guardians are typically still financially responsible.

What Compensation Can You Expect?

The law recognizes economic damages, which you can prove with invoices, and non-economic damages that are just as real but do not come with a price tag attached.

Medical Expenses

This compensation includes all bite-related medical care. This includes your emergency room visit, surgery and stitches, the cost for rabies shots, medications, physical therapy, and future medical treatment you may need for complications or scar repairs. You are entitled to past and future medical expenses related to the dog bite and any conditions it causes.

Scarring and Disfigurement

If the dog bite injury left visible scars on the face, hands, arms, or legs, you may receive additional compensation because they are apparent. The same goes for permanent or disfiguring scarring. There are special provisions for scarring affecting children, which ensures that they will get current and future care to minimize the appearance of any scars.

Lost Wages and a Potential Loss of Earning Capacity

Another economic damage, this compensation covers the time you had to miss work because of the injury. It also compensates you if the injury has affected your ability to earn an income. You can claim lost wages, missed commissions, and reduced future earning capacity. You may have a claim even if you are self-employed or a gig worker.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering fall under non-economic damages. Compensation is for physical pain, emotional distress, the formation of anxiety around dogs, sleep disruptions, trauma, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Because the aftermath of a dog attack is different for each affected individual, it is important to make a note of these changes.

Emotional Injuries and Out-of-Pocket Expenses

After a dog bite, it is not unusual to have nightmares. But in some cases, it goes beyond that. If you have suffered an emotional trauma, developed a phobia, or suffer from PTSD and need counseling or therapy, there is compensation. This provision is of special importance for victims who are minors. You may also recover out-of-pocket costs for medical travel expenses, wound care supplies, and childcare to help you rest during your recovery.

Choosing the Right Irvine Dog Bite Lawyer

Who is the right dog bite attorney in Irvine to take on your case? What should you be looking for?

• Experience. Work with a dedicated personal injury lawyer who has experience assisting clients who were dog bite victims. Specialization in the personal injury field makes a significant difference by allowing the attorney to remain on the cutting edge of laws, regulations, and challenges affecting these types of cases.
• Location. An attorney with a practice in Irvine or Orange County is advantageous. This firm not only knows the courts and filing rules, but also the area where the injury occurred. It helps your case when the attorney can paint a vivid picture of the incident.
• Client testimonials. Who are some of the clients the attorney has helped in the past? What do they say? Look for a local law firm with positive reviews that include specifics. Whenever possible, look for testimonials that discuss dog bite personal injuries.
• Communication. And while checking the testimonials, look for comments that mention the attorney’s ability to communicate clearly and frequently. Work with someone who takes a genuine interest in your case and you (as a person). You want to be more than just another case to settle.
• No fee. Your personal injury case should not require you to pay out-of-pocket or up-front. The right Irvine dog bite attorney will take your case on a contingency basis, which means that you do not pay until (and unless) they win.

Take the First Step Toward Justice and Recovery

The insurance company is not looking out for you. It is in their best interest to minimize or avoid payment altogether. The dog’s owner is typically not able to provide you with fair compensation out of their own pocket. But that does not mean that you have to shoulder the expenses of your claim.

The MKP Law Group, LLP, cares about dog bite victims and their families. You deserve fair compensation. We offer a free consultation and will not charge you a dime until we win. The sooner you contact our team, the sooner we can begin working on your case. Remember that time is of the essence. Call us at 323-524-9619, use the chat function on our website at mkplawgroup.com/, or fill out the form on our contact tab.

Local Resources & Additional Support

After a dog bite, you may need not just legal assistance but also other types of support.

• OC Animal Care. Report an animal bite or scratch by calling (714) 796-6421 or completing the Bite Reporting Form.  
• Irvine urgent care/hospitals. Visit Hoag Hospital at 16200 Sand Canyon Avenue (949-517-3010), Kaiser Permanente Irvine Medical Center at 6640 Alton Parkway (833-571-2273), or Orange’s UCI Medical Center at 101 The City Drive South (714-456-7890).
• Orange County Superior Court info. Superior Court of Orange County, Civil Division, at the Central Justice Center, 700 Civic Center Drive in Santa Ana (657-622-6878).

Sources:

• https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2024/0530-usps-releases-dog-bite-national-rankings.htm 
• Dixon, C. A., & Mistry, R. D. (2020). Dog Bites in Children Surge during Coronavirus Disease-2019: A Case for Enhanced Prevention. The Journal of Pediatrics, 225, 231-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.06.071 
• Essig, G. F., Sheehan, C., Rikhi, S., Elmaraghy, C. A., & Christophel, J. J. (2019). Dog bite injuries to the face: Is there risk with breed ownership? A systematic review with meta-analysis. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 117, 182-188.
• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.11.028 
• https://ocpetinfo.com/sites/ocac/files/import/data/files/42563.pdf 
• https://legacy.cityofirvine.org/crm/ReqFaq/answers.asp?id=7886