Dog bite injuries often need emergency medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, and psychological therapy. This is especially true for children. If you have suffered injuries in a dog attack, you have the right to hold the responsible person accountable.
Working with a dog bite lawyer in San Francisco can help you understand your legal rights. At The Ryan Law Group, we have a strong reputation for dedicated service and compassionate representation.
Our personal injury lawyer in San Francisco can evaluate your case and determine the next best steps.
Why Choose Ryan Law Group?
At The Ryan Law Group, we understand the devastating impact of being attacked by an animal. The emotional toll alone can be overwhelming. Working with our attorneys can help take some of the burden of filing a claim off your shoulders.
When you choose The Ryan Law Group, you benefit from:
- More than 30 years of combined experience
- Personalized legal representation tailored to your needs
- Aggressive advocacy committed to your best interests
Since 2011, we have recovered over $100 million in verdicts and settlements. While you focus on your recovery, we can prepare and file your injury claim, speak to the insurance company on your behalf, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
For a Free Legal Consultation With a Dog Bite Lawyer Serving San Francisco, Call (310) 321-4800
Important Facts About Dog Bite Claims
California has some of the strongest laws regarding dog bite victims. It is important to understand how these laws can affect your claim.
Strict Liability Laws
Under California Civil Code, Section 3342, strict liability applies to most dog bite cases. While other states require proof that the dog has a history of aggression, California holds owners responsible when their dog attacks.
Under strict liability, you need to establish that:
- The at-fault party owns the dog
- The dog bit you
- You were on the property legally (not trespassing)
- The bite caused injuries
Strict liability often simplifies dog bite claims. However, disputes in trespassing laws, comparative negligence, and ownership can still occur. Having a San Francisco dog bite lawyer by your side can help you protect the integrity of your claim.
Public Spaces vs Private Property in San Francisco
The validity of your claim will depend on whether you were on the property lawfully. While public spaces tend to be more straightforward, private property can be challenging. For example, if you deliver packages to someone’s door, you are lawfully on private property because it falls within the scope of your job.
In addition, if you are invited to someone’s private residence, you are also considered lawfully present. However, if you trespass onto someone’s property, you may not have grounds to file a dog bite injury claim.
Children Are Disproportionately Affected by Dog Attacks
Studies show that children are the most at risk of dog attacks. According to a recent dog bite study, children between the ages of one and five were the most likely to be bitten and suffer serious injuries. However, the risk decreases as children grow up.
The study suggests dogs may perceive the behavior of small children as threatening and unpredictable. In addition, because of their small stature, young children tend to suffer bites to the head and neck more frequently than adults.
San Francisco Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (310) 321-4800
Dog Bites Can Cause Serious and Debilitating Injuries
Dog bites can be more serious than people realize. Even small puncture wounds can lead to severe infections due to the transfer of bacteria. Many attacks leave permanent injuries, like facial scarring and nerve damage. Children are especially prone to lifelong emotional trauma from such incidents.
Common injuries associated with dog attacks include:
- Deep puncture wounds: Dog bites are powerful and can penetrate muscles, tendons, and underlying tissue, increasing the risk of infection and permanent damage.
- Infections: Dog bites often leave bacteria behind that can cause cellulitis, abscesses, or other serious infections. These usually require extensive stays in the hospital and require intravenous antibiotics and/or surgery.
- Facial trauma: Children and adults are likely to suffer severe facial injuries due to the nature of how dogs attack. Instinctively, dogs will try for the throat or face. These injuries usually require plastic or reconstructive surgery, often leaving permanent scarring.
- Severe scarring and disfigurement: Permanent scars affect your appearance, confidence, and emotional well-being. While time can help, some scars are so deep they need multiple cosmetic procedures. This can also lead to severe depression and anxiety.
- Nerve damage: Dog bite injuries can significantly damage nerves. Victims experience long-term numbness, chronic pain, weakness, or reduced mobility in the affected areas.
- Tendon and ligament damage: Injuries to tendons and ligaments can limit movement in the hands, wrists, arms, or legs.
- Fractured bones: Large dogs usually knock victims to the ground and/or shake their victims aggressively, breaking or fracturing arms, ankles, and wrists.
- Eye injuries: Facial bites sometimes cause permanent vision loss.
- Psychological trauma: Many victims develop anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a lifelong fear of dogs following an attack. The psychological effects of dog bites in children have been under-researched, but studies show many young victims develop phobias of dogs for the rest of their lives.
Your dog bite attorney in San Francisco can evaluate all your injuries and how they affect your life day-to-day. Our personal injury lawyer can seek compensation for your psychological injury, establishing a clear link between your emotional distress and the attack.
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Potential Compensation in a Dog Bite Claim
Every dog bite injury claim is unique. Compensation depends entirely on the specific factors in your case. Damages the attorneys of The Ryan Law Group have recovered for dog bite victims include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and/or loss of future income
- Pain and suffering damages
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced dog bite lawyer in San Francisco can accurately calculate both your current and future damages. While the at-fault party or insurance company may try to pass some of the responsibility of the attack onto you, we can gather critical evidence to support your claim.
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Meet with Our San Francisco Dog Bite Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, contact The Ryan Law Group today. We have extensive experience in dog bite claims.
Our San Francisco dog bite attorney will stand by your side throughout the claims process. While you focus on recovering, we will work tirelessly to secure fair compensation. Schedule a free case evaluation today and meet our team.
Call or Text (310) 321-4800, or Complete a Free Case Evaluation Form
