Huntington Beach Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog-friendly Huntington Beach appeals to residents and visitors alike. Whether you visit the Huntington Dog Beach between Goldenwest and Seapoint or spend time at one of the many restaurants that welcome pooches alongside their owners, you are sure to run across a wide variety of breeds and temperaments. 

Of course, with so many opportunities for human and dog interactions, there is the very real risk of experiencing dog bite injuries and the trauma that comes with them. The friendly staff at the MKP Law Group, LLP, understands your pain and is well-versed in the complexity of dog bite cases. If your recent visit to Huntington Beach resulted in a dog bite, talk with the dog bite lawyer, who will not charge you a fee unless they win.

California Dog Bite Laws & Your Rights

California Civil Code §3342 defines a level of strict liability for Huntington Beach dog owners if their pet bites you. The dog owner is liable for bites that occur in public places and on private property. It is immaterial if the dog has never bitten anyone before. The law considers public places the parks, beaches, or sidewalks. Private properties refer to a place where you were legally, as a tenant, a guest, or a mail carrier.

Legal Rights After Suffering a Dog Bite

A dog bite refers to anything from minor punctures to more severe lacerations. As a dog bite victim, you may be entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and emotional distress. However, you only have a two-year window in which to bring your claim. 

Special Protections for Minors Who are Victims of Dog Bites

California uses a comparative negligence system to gauge compensation for damages. When minors are involved, there are special considerations. For example, a minor under the age of five is exempt from considerations of personal negligence. For older children, negligence is adjusted to reflect what a reasonable child of that specific age and experience would do. Additionally, the two-year statute of limitations does not begin until the minor turns 18.

Common Dog Bite Injuries & Their Impact

As a dog bite victim, you are most likely dealing with physical injuries as well as a psychological impact of the attack. Common injuries include:

• Puncture wounds.
• Deeper lacerations.
• Nerve and tissue damage.
• Facial injuries and possible lifelong disfigurement.
• Broken bones from the attack’s impact.
• Infection risk, including rabies.

The psychological wounds are not easy to see, but they are just as real. Victims report PTSD, anxiety disorders, a fear of dogs, and an overall impact on their quality of life. For children, there is the possibility of additional emotional trauma. 

Who Is Liable in Huntington Beach Dog Bite Cases?

We have already discussed that the primary liability after a dog bite rests with the dog’s owner. However, there may be additional considerations. For example, a landlord or property owner may be liable if they knew the dog was dangerous, but they failed to control the animal so that it could not bite anyone. 

Another liability may rest with dog walkers, whom you frequently see in Huntington Beach parks. Even though they only have temporary control of the animal that does not belong to them, they may still be liable if they failed to supervise and restrain the dog while in their care adequately. If a police dog bites someone, liability typically falls on the city, but only if the bite occurred without their being a suspect or otherwise the target of the police action. 

A Closer Look at Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims

Medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and emotional distress are only some of the losses for which you may request compensation. The law typically recognizes economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic Damages

When you have receipts for treatments received or expect future financial losses because of the dog bite, the law considers it economic damage. Examples include the stitches you received during emergency medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, counseling, future medical expenses, lost income, and property damage. If you drop your iPhone after being bitten by a dog, the damage is economic.

Non-Economical Damages

Chronic pain, lasting tenderness, nightmares, self-esteem issues, and avoiding areas where dogs may be present fall under non-economic damages. They are called suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Damages When Children are the Dog Bite Victims

Children frequently have increased emotional and cosmetic damage. Scars cause trauma. Trauma affects the child’s life. The dog bite may adversely affect the child’s ability to deal with others and be around dogs. Courts recognize the potential need for long-term psychological counseling and for addressing problems involving a child’s education. 

Filing a Claim With the Insurance Company

For a bite happening at the dog owner’s home, the homeowners’ insurance is typically liable. Bites taking place in the common areas of rented spaces should be filed with the property’s liability policy. Business insurance may be considered liable if the bite happened in a commercial setting. 

Typically, you would get medical treatment, report the dog bite to Huntington Beach Animal Control, and get as much information about the animal’s owner as you can. You would then open an insurance claim along with the necessary paperwork, such as medical records, photos, witness statements, and so on. The insurance will assign a claim number and conduct its own investigation. 

However, the insurance company does not have the dog bite victim’s best interests in mind. Instead, they work to minimize any payout. Quick, lowball settlement offers are not uncommon. Additionally, the insurer may blame you for the bite, claim a reduced extent of your injuries, and look for other ways to limit any claim payouts. 

It is here that working with a Huntington Beach dog bite attorney is critical. They have experience with the insurer’s delaying tactics, will pursue personal assets when necessary, and look for alternative means of compensation. Most importantly, they will not allow the company to lowball you or drag out the case. 

Why Choose MKP Law Group for Your Huntington Beach Dog Bite Case

Work with the law firm with a solid track record in handling dog bite cases. Moreover, the firm has a long-standing Huntington Beach presence and understands the settings that may have led to the bite injury. As an established dog bite attorney, the firm routinely works with a network of medical professionals to get you the care you need, has the resources needed for complex cases, and operates on a contingency fee structure. The friendly staff at MKP Law Group provides personalized attention to each client.

Protecting your Legal Rights After a Dog Bite

It is vital to seek medical attention immediately. Because there is a risk of infection, a doctor should see even slight lacerations. Document your injuries with medical reports and photos. Report the bite to Huntington Beach Animal Control (and the police if necessary). Instead of talking to the insurance company or posting about the bite on social media, speak to an attorney first. Allow them to guide you and prevent actions or statements that may harm your legal rights.

Local Huntington Beach Resources

• Medical facilities. The Hoag Hospital Huntington Beach is located at 19582 Beach Boulevard. Another option is the MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center at 18111 Brookhurst Street in nearby Fountain Valley.
• Animal control. Huntington Beach Police Animal Control Services investigates dog bites. Call (714) 796-6421 or visit the online reporting form for Orange County Animal Care at https://www.ocpetinfo.com/sites/ocac/files/import/data/files/73685.pdf.
• Legal resources. The Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) operates a lawyer referral service. Call them at (949) 440-6747 or (877) 257-4762. There is also an online form (http://lrisoc.org/referral.html) if you prefer to use it.

Contact MKP Law Group Today and Protect Your Legal Rights

Serving all of Orange County, the MKP Law Group dog bite attorneys offer a free consultation. If there is no recovery, you are guaranteed a fee waiver. Talk to a Huntington Beach dog bite lawyer for free today. Call 323-524-9619 now!