Have you been bitten by a dog in San Bernardino, CA? Contact the legal team at Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers at (909) 515-0646 for a free consultation. Our experienced San Bernardino dog bite lawyers are ready to help you fight for the compensation you need to get better.
We are a top-rated legal advocate dedicated to fighting for the rights of the injured in San Bernardino. Backed by 15+ years of collective experience handling high-stakes personal injury disputes, we’ve helped clients win tens of millions of dollars in settlement agreements and jury verdicts at trial. When your life has been turned upside down because of a dog bite, we’ll be there to fight for your best interests, too.
Why Choose Kenny Ramirez Law Firm to Help Me With My Dog Bite Claim in California?
Just because you have the right to pursue compensation for your dog bite injuries doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. You’ll face a great deal of resistance and pushback along the way – especially from the insurance company on the other side of the negotiating table. It’s imperative that you hire an experienced San Bernardino personal injury lawyer to represent you.
Dog bite victims in San Bernardino, California, know that choosing Kenny Ramirez Law Firm sets the stage for the kind of case results they deserve.
Our determined, passionate representation is why we’re recognized by:
- The National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40”
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars
- National Latino Trial Lawyers “Top 10”
- Lawyers of Distinction
Contact our San Bernardino dog bite attorney to learn more about the benefits of having us on your side. We offer a free consultation.
Does California Have a One-Bite Rule?
No, California does not have a one-bite rule. In states with a one-bite rule, a dog’s owner isn’t automatically responsible when their dog attacks someone. Instead, a dog owner is liable when they have knowledge that their dog has a history of aggression or vicious tendencies.
In California, the dog’s past and the owner’s knowledge of aggression don’t matter. Under Civil Code Section 3342, “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…regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
Under California’s dog bite law, it doesn’t matter if the dog’s owner took steps to prevent the dog bite from happening. The fact that their dog bit another person and caused harm is enough to hold the owner accountable for resulting damages – including medical expenses, lost wages, physical disfigurement, and harder-to-value trauma.
How Much Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
Many factors will influence the potential value of your civil dog bite claim, including:
- What types of physical injuries did you suffer?
- Are those injuries permanent?
- Can you still work?
- Has your earning capacity changed?
- Are you being accused of provoking the dog?
- How old are you?
- What steps did you take to mitigate your damages?
- What insurance benefits are available to you?
- Is someone other than the dog’s owner also liable for the dog attack?
A dog bite can leave more than just scars — it can shake your sense of safety. That’s especially true for kids, who may carry the fear long after the wounds heal. Nightmares, anxiety, and even a fear of going outside aren’t uncommon. These emotional struggles are real, and they matter.
Under California law, you’re allowed to seek compensation for this kind of pain — not just the medical bills. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to explain what you’ve been through, a compassionate attorney can help make sure your story is heard and your recovery is fully valued.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover After an Accident?
You’ll have the right to request two different types of compensatory damages through a dog bite lawsuit: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are awarded to help you deal with the objective financial costs and losses of being bitten by a dog, which can include;
- Emergency room care, surgery, hospitalization, transportation to the hospital, medication, medical devices, and other medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Short-term disability
- Permanent disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Nursing assistance
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Being bitten by a dog can also create emotional and psychological hardships that aren’t as easy to assess. California permits non-economic damages to acknowledge these more subjective consequences.
Non-economic damages often include money for:
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Reduced quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Chronic physical pain
- Embarrassment
If the defense won’t make a fair settlement offer during negotiations, our top-rated California litigators will be ready to take your fight to court and advocate for a life-changing financial award at trial.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in California?
Don’t let the fear of what it might cost to hire an attorney stand between you and the legal assistance you need. We will represent you on a contingency fee basis.
Contingent representation means that we’re so confident in our ability to win your dog bite case that we won’t get paid unless we’ve secured compensation for you.
If we obtain a favorable settlement or win a verdict at trial, our attorney fees will be deducted from that monetary award. While it varies, the cost of hiring a dog bite attorney in San Bernardino is usually between 33 and 40 percent of your total recovery.
What Are Common Types of Injuries Caused by Dog Bites?
Millions of people across the United States are bitten by dogs every year. Half of these dog bite victims are children. California consistently leads the nation in dog bite claims. In 2022, State Farm paid out $32.2 million to resolve 403 separate dog bite claims in California alone.
Dog bite claims are often filed by victims who’ve suffered serious and debilitating dog bite injuries, including:
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Degloving injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Eye injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Infection and disease
- Brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
The dog’s owner and other liable parties will try to minimize the severity of your injuries and downplay how the dog attack has affected your life. These efforts will be designed to drive down your damages and limit your financial recovery.
Our San Bernardino dog bite attorneys won’t let them work. Instead, we’ll take the time and invest the resources needed to investigate your case, gather critical evidence, and build a compelling legal claim that clearly highlights your losses and who needs to pay.
What Should I Do After Being Bitten by a Dog?
As the victim of a dog bite in San Bernardino, it’s important to report the incident to the police and seek prompt medical care. Getting to the hospital can help mitigate your injuries and document the trauma.
After a serious dog bite, you should take pictures or videos of your injuries, the dog involved, and the spot where it happened. If anyone saw it, try to get their contact details. Get the dog owner’s name, address, and their insurance info. It’s important to avoid apologizing or taking any blame, even if you think you might have played a small role in the accident. Anything you say could be used against you later on.
Once you’ve been diagnosed and treated, don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney in San Bernardino, CA, to discuss your legal rights and options. Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers is available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in California?
Most dog bite lawsuits filed in the state of California have to comply with a two-year statute of limitations. There are some exceptions, often involving situations where a dog bites a child.
In child injury cases, the statute of limitations can be tolled until the child turns 18. This gives the child until their 20th birthday to pursue compensation for their dog bite injuries.
You must file your dog bite claim lawsuit before the applicable statute of limitations expires. Once the deadline passes, you will lose the ability to demand damages from the dog’s owner, their insurance company, or another responsible party.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced San Bernardino Dog Bite Lawyer
You were bitten by a dog, and the dog’s owner has to be held accountable. That’s why you’ll want to call Kenny Ramirez Law Firm. Our San Bernardino dog bite lawyers are skilled and experienced legal advocates who won’t rest until you’ve been made whole.
We’ve helped clients win over $30 million in damages. Now, we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to help you achieve the best possible results in your dog bite case, too.
Contact our law office in San Bernardino, CA, for a free case evaluation to learn more.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in San Bernardino, CA
Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers
325 W Hospitality Ln Suite 204, San Bernardino, CA 92408
(909) 515-0646