Average Settlement Amounts for California Dog Bite Cases

The Insurance Information Institute reports that dog bite injury cases account for 1/3 of all claims made on homeowners insurance liability policies. In addition, settlements and jury verdicts from dog bite lawsuits exceeded $356 million in 2007. According to an updated 2019 report, California had the largest number of claims (2,166) in the U.S. in 2018.

However, the cost of a dog bite to a victim could be far worse than a monetary loss, as disfigurement, scarring, fractured bones, or even death could result from a dog bite. If you have been injured by a dog and are thinking about getting a dog bite lawyer, understanding the factors that influence the potential payout for a dog bite can be helpful.

California Dog Bite Laws

Every state follows its own statutes when someone’s dog bites another person. California Civil Code Section 3342 outlines the legal processes in a dog bite case. It states that the owner of a dog is strictly liable for damages a person suffers due to a bite from the dog in a public place or a private place that the person was lawfully within. This is the case regardless of the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s violent tendencies.

The owner is generally the person legally responsible for the dog. However, others in control of the dog at the time of the attack may also be held liable, depending on the circumstances. There is an exception in which the bitten person could not file a claim, such as when the dog was performing police or military work at the time of the bite. Dog bite lawyers can explain which state or city regulations may apply to your case.

What Is The Average Settlement For Dog Bite Cases?

There is no average settlement for a dog bite, as each case is unique. There’s also no guarantee that a victim will receive a settlement when they file a personal injury claim. However, the amount of compensation you can pursue varies depending on several factors, such as the severity of the injuries, medical expenses, and other circumstances specific to your case.

Damages for dog bite cases can include monetary compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering, and emotional distress.

If a dog has injured you, the severity of your injuries will affect your claim as well. In a documented case, a Santa Rosa woman lost part of her nose in a bulldog attack while she was walking her children to school. Her family received significant compensation through the legal system.

Permanent disfigurement, scarring, and broken bones may also be included in the amount of damages you’re able to pursue, depending on the situation. An experienced dog bite lawyer can help assess the extent of your injuries so they can be factored into your claim.

3342.(a) The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. A person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner within the meaning of this section when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner.

Assessing The Financial Consequences Of Dog Bite Injuries

According to Insurance Journal, rising medical costs are a key factor in dog bite claims. As such, compensation may cover medical bills and, in some cases, additional damages, such as lost wages or emotional distress.

However, every case is different, and outcomes can vary depending on the circumstances and insurance coverage. You can consult a personal injury lawyer about your case to learn about your possible legal options.

Is It Different If A Support Dog Bites Me?

Emotional support animals are not obligated to have the equivalent level of training as service animals, which can increase the risk of a dog or animal becoming aggressive in public. More than ever, Americans are conscious of and supportive of the problems confronting people with disabilities. There are several laws in place meant to protect people with disabilities from discrimination and help meet their needs. If a dog or other support animal hasn’t been appropriately trained and hurts another person, the owner of the animal may be held liable in accordance with California law.

Liability In Dog Bite Incidents

Under California law, individuals are afforded protection from dog bites. California Civil Code section 3342 imposes strict liability on dog owners, which means that you do not need to establish negligence or that the dog had a history of biting to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. All you have to prove is that the dog injured you either in a public place or while you were a guest on the property.

When And Where Are Bites Common?

The number of reported animal bites varies by geography and season. Historically, dog bites are more common in warmer months. This seasonal trend has been noted in several local studies. Nonetheless, remember that animal bites can happen anytime and anywhere, and it is important to report a bite when it occurs.

What To Do After A Dog Bite Injury

Dog bites are often violent incidents, sometimes with more than one dog attacking the victim. If the victim survives the attack, they may suffer puncture wounds, scratches, or crush injuries. If the dog’s vaccinations were not up-to-date, the dog bite victim may have to receive a rabies shot or other treatments to avoid infection.

Puncture wounds from dog bites can be very painful and take weeks to heal. It’s important to seek medical attention after a dog attack. Prompt medical attention helps document your injuries, which can be important for supporting your claim. Dog bite lawyers can evaluate your damages and help you make informed decisions about your case.

What To Do If You Are Bitten Or Attacked By A Dog:

Protect Yourself

• Put your purse, bag, or jacket between you and the dog.
• If you are knocked down, curl into a ball with your head tucked in and your hands over your ears and neck.
• Wash wounds with soap and water.
• Seek medical attention.

For Minor Wounds:

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
• Apply an antibiotic cream.
• Cover the wound with a clean bandage.

See a healthcare provider if the wound becomes red, painful, warm, or swollen, if you develop a fever, or if the dog that bit you was acting strangely.

For Deep Wounds:

• Apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding.
• If you cannot stop the bleeding or you feel faint or weak, call 911 or your local emergency medical services promptly.
• See a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

See a healthcare provider after a dog attack in California if:

• The wound is serious (uncontrolled bleeding, loss of function, extreme pain, muscle or bone exposure, etc.).
• The wound becomes red, painful, warm, or swollen, or if you develop a fever.
• You don’t know if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
• It has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot, and the bite is deep.

Continue with medical follow-ups and adhere to treatment plans. Not only does this support the healing process, but it also helps dog bite lawyers build a well-documented case to support your claim.

Dog Bite Prevention Tips

• Spay or neuter your dog to reduce aggression.
• Never leave infants or small children alone with any dog, even with a smaller dog.
• Properly socialize and train any dog entering the home.
• Seek professional advice (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, animal trainer) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behavior.
• Avoid playing aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling, tug-of-war).
• Keep your dog on a leash when it is off your property.
• Teach children basic safety around dogs and review regularly.

Dog Bite Prevention Tips And Lessons For Children

• Don’t approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Don’t run from a dog and scream.
• Remain motionless when approached by an unfamiliar dog (e.g., “be still like a tree”).
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., “be still like a log”).
• Don’t play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Report stray dogs or dogs acting strangely to an adult.
• Avoid direct eye contact with dogs.
• Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• If bitten, promptly report the bite to an adult.

What Happens When An Animal Bite Is Reported?

Details about the animal bite are collected, including when and where the bite happened, and information about both the victim (i.e., health status) and the biting animal (i.e., species, breed, circumstances of the bite, the current location of the animal). A personal injury attorney can also use this report if the victim wants and is eligible to pursue a claim in the future.

What Are The Commonly Reported Bites?

Many reported bites are caused by dogs and cats. In 2009, there were 7,623 reported bites from dogs and 939 reported bites from cats in Los Angeles County. However, it’s important to note that animal bites here are often underreported. It is estimated that 1.5% of the U.S. population is bitten by a dog each year. Assuming a similar pattern for Los Angeles County, an estimated 150,000 dog bites would have occurred in 2009, but only 5% of the estimated amount was reported.

Report The Dog Bite To Your Local Animal Control, Then A Dog Bite Lawyer

Speak to a personal injury lawyer to get more details about proving your case and about evaluating any offer from a dog owner or insurance company. A California dog bite lawyer works to help you pursue compensation for your losses under the law.

Since anyone who is bitten by a dog is at risk of getting rabies, consider contacting your local animal control agency or police department to report the incident, especially:

• If you don’t know if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
• If the dog appears sick or is acting strangely.

Contact the owner and check if the animal has a current rabies vaccination. You will need the rabies vaccine license number, name of the veterinarian who administered the vaccine, and the owner’s name, address, and phone number.

Report Bite to LA County Recover Losses for a Bite

We offer our services to victims of dog bites anywhere in California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Bakersfield, Redding, Palm Springs, Orange County, Sacramento, and Fresno. Call (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation with our dog bite attorneys.

Animal Control Agencies in Los Angeles County