Dog bites can happen anywhere in Sacramento, from neighborhood parks and apartment complexes to busy sidewalks in Midtown and East Sacramento. While many dog owners take reasonable precautions, even a normally friendly dog can cause devastating injuries when it attacks. When that happens, injury victims often face emergency medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, and even unexpected financial hardships.
At Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, our Sacramento dog bite lawyers are ready to fight and help injury victims recover the compensation they deserve after a preventable attack. With over 30 years of experience, our firm has recovered over $1 billion in financial compensation and our legal team is committed to delivering the legal guidance that you deserve.
If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog in Sacramento, call us at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form today to schedule your free case consultation.
How California's Strict Liability Law Protects Dog Bite Victims
To many people’s surprise, California has one of the strongest dog bite laws in the country. Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are strictly liable when their dog bites another person. Unlike many other states that follow a "one bite rule," California does not require victims to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Instead, a victim generally only needs to establish that:
The defendant owned the dog
The dog bit the victim
The victim was lawfully on public or private property
The bite caused injuries
This means owners can be held responsible even if their dog had never bitten anyone before or ever had a history of biting.
What If the Dog Did Not Bite Me?
Even if the dog did not bite you, there are other ways an animal can harm a person. For instance, a large dog may knock someone down, cause a bicyclist to crash, cause a car to swerve and crash, or trigger another dangerous accident to occur. No matter what the incident may be, if someone has suffered injuries or damages due to a dog, injury victims may still recover compensation through a negligence claim even if the owner did their best to prevent the incident from occurring.
Common Places Where Dog Attacks Occur in Sacramento
Sacramento's mix of urban neighborhoods, parks, and recreational areas creates numerous situations where dog attacks can occur.
Some common locations include:
William Land Park
McKinley Park
American River Parkway
Discovery Park
Midtown Sacramento
East Sacramento
Pocket-Greenhaven
Apartment complexes
Dog parks
Shopping centers
School campuses
Sidewalks and neighborhood streets
Dog attacks can also happen while making deliveries, performing home services, visiting friends, or walking through residential neighborhoods.
How Dog Bite Injuries Can Be Life-Changing
Dog attacks often produce far more serious injuries than many people initially realize. In fact, common injuries include:
Deep puncture wounds
Torn muscles and ligaments
Permanent scarring
Facial injuries
Broken bones
Nerve damage
Crush injuries
Eye injuries
Infections
Rabies exposure
Tetanus complications
Traumatic brain injuries after falls
Psychological trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
While every injury is different depending on the dog and the severity of the bite, it is urged to seek medical attention as soon as possible so that it is properly documented and to ensure the injury does not get any worse.
How Serious Dog Bite Infections Can Become
Even relatively small bite wounds can develop dangerous infections, because dog mouths naturally contain bacteria that can cause serious medical complications if left untreated. For example, some potential infections include cellulitis, sepsis, capnocytophaga infections, and in some rare instances, rabies. Depending on the nature of the infection, they can be fatal and prompt medical treatment not only protects your health but also documents your injuries for your legal claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Dog bite victims may recover a variety of compensation depending on the nature and severity of the accident in question. However, no matter what kind of incident a person went through, they may be able to recover a mix of economic and non-economic damages.
For example, a dog bite victim may recover medical expenses, physical rehabilitation, future medical care, and any lost wages they may have experienced as a result of the incident.
However, if the incident has left lasting physical pain and emotional suffering, then they may be able to recover compensation for their pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any loss of enjoyment of life they have experienced.
What if the Dog Bite Involved Children
If the dog bite involves children the same principles of recovering damages apply, however, since children are more vulnerable to dog attacks, the lasting nature of their physical injuries and emotional damage may add more damages to a claim.
As children account for a significant percentage of serious dog bite injuries nationwide, because children are more trusting of animals and should an incident occur they often require plastic surgery, multiple reconstructive procedures, counseling, and long-term rehabilitation
their claims may involve substantial future damages. In order to get a better estimate for your claim, it is recommended to consult with an experienced dog bite attorney.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?
The steps you take immediately after a dog attack can affect both your health and your legal case. As such, you should take the following steps to ensure your legal rights are protected:
Seek immediate medical attention
Identify the dog owner
Obtain contact information from witnesses
Photograph your injuries and the dog
Preserve torn clothing
Report the incident to local animal control
Keep copies of medical records and bills
Avoid discussing the incident with insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
According to California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, all personal injury claims, including dog bite claims must be filed within two years from the date of the incident. Any failure to file a claim within the two year mark will automatically result in the injury victim waiving their right to file a claim and recover compensation for their injuries.
However, it is important to note that police dogs are exempt from any dog bite claims, because they are trained to chase and bite people while on duty and thus cannot be held to the same standards as civilian dogs.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Bitten While Delivering a Package?
Oftentimes, delivery drivers, postal workers, contractors, landscapers, utility workers, and other lawful visitors are allowed to file a claim and recover compensation for any dog bite they have suffered while performing their job. No matter what kind of occupation a person has, if they have to go onto a person’s property to perform their duty, the dog owner has a responsibility under California law to ensure their dog does not attack anyone.
Speak With a Sacramento Dog Bite Lawyer Today
A dog attack can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Whether you were bitten while walking through Midtown, jogging along the American River Parkway, visiting a friend's home in Natomas, or working in another Sacramento neighborhood, you should not have to shoulder those burdens alone. If you or a loved one were unjustly attacked by a dog then it is recommended to consult with an experienced dog bite lawyer.
At Frank Penney Injury Lawyers, our Sacramento dog bite attorneys have the experience and resources to build a strong claim and pursue the full compensation available under California law. We are a law firm with over 30 years of experience and have a track record of securing compensation for our clients. By hiring us for your case, you can rest easy knowing your case is in the right hands.
Contact us at 888-888-0566 or by filling out our online contact form today to schedule your free case consultation.