Experienced and Trusted Dog Attack Law Firm

Dog Attack Lawyers in El Cajon

Victim of a Dog Attack in El Cajon?

Millions of dog bites occur in the United States each year and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that 1 in 5 bites require medical attention. There were 27,923 dog bites that required plastic surgery repairs and close to 40 dog bite fatalities in 2017. Dog attacks happen and the resulting injuries can be devastating. Besides the injuries from the initial attack, dog bites are dangerous because they can cause infection and diseases in dog bite victims. Diseases that can be caused by dog bites include:

• Capnocytophaga
• Pasteurella
• Rabies
• MRSA
• Tetanus

California Dog Attack Law

California’s strict liability law is applicable to dog bite cases in California. This means that if a person is in a public place or lawfully in a private place and is bitten by a dog, the dog owner is held strictly liable for injuries sustained by the victim that were caused by the dog bite. It is not necessary to prove negligence or that the owner knew that the dog had dangerous propensities. If a dog has attacked you or a loved one, contact Eugene Bruno & Associates to schedule a consultation. Our El Cajon dog attack attorney will meet with you to discuss your case, the extent of your injuries, and then work out a legal strategy to see that you are fully compensated for your injuries.

Dog Attack Exceptions and Defenses

There are some exceptions and defenses that may relieve the owner of strict liability for dog bite injuries. Some of those exceptions and defenses are listed below:

• Police or military dog – Police and military dogs have a special exception to strict liability carved out for specified circumstances related to a police or military dog bite.
• Trespassing – Strict liability only applies when a victim is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, which means that strict liability is not applicable when a dog bites a trespasser.
• Provocation – A victim who provokes a dog will not be covered by strict liability in a dog bite case. Provocation can include things like abusing or taunting a dog.
• Assumption of the risk – Strict liability may not be applicable in cases where a dog bite victim assumed the risk. Examples would be a dog biting a veterinarian, groomer, or dog trainer.

El Cajon Dog Bite Injuries and Damages

Dog bites can fall anywhere on the spectrum between minor injuries and devastating injuries, even fatal. Dog attacks can be not only physically scarring, but also emotionally scarring. Traumatic dog attacks can cause severe emotional damages such as post traumatic stress disorder. Some injuries may not appear immediately after the attack and for this reason, you should avoid a quick cash settlement with the dog owner’s insurance company. Insurance companies are looking to protect their best interests, not yours. If you have suffered a dog attack, call El Cajon personal injury attorney, Eugene G. Bruno. Mr. Bruno is experienced in dog attack cases and is committed to seeing that victims are fully compensated for their injuries including emotional stress, medical bills, lost wages, physical impairment, and pain and suffering.