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California Reports Record Dog Bite Claims

Dog bites and attacks from dogs are becoming more common in California, and unfortunately California takes the lead for the number of total dog bites in the nation. In 2018 California recorded a total of 2,166 claims with the highest average cost of $64,555 which equates to over $139.8 million dollars. (updated 1/18/24)

Nationally, homeowners’ insurers paid out $854 million in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog related injuries in 2020. Source: https://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-quick-statistics.php#dogbite-statistics

People who’ve been bitten severely by a dog not only suffer the trauma of the attack, but could face acute tissue damage that can cost the victim between $250,000 to $1,000,000 in specialized medical care depending on the severity of the attack and bite.  Other monetary losses may be from missing work and/or emotional stress and PTSD can affect the total amount of the settlement.

This is why if you are bitten, you need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney from the Schmidt National Law Group that can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Don’t be bullied by any insurance company –talk to an attorney first! Insurance companies are not looking out for YOUR best interests.

California injury law is very specific and offers victims extensive protection from dog bites. California Civil Code section 3342 imposes strict liability on the dog owners.  

Here’s the excerpt from the Code:

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.

In legal speak, this means that you don’t have to prove the owner was negligent or even if the dog had a history of biting to recover from your damages. You simply have to prove is that the dog injured you either in a public place or while you were visiting a friend’s or neighbors property, you should be able to recover your damages.

Statute of limitations in California for dog bite victims.

In California for personal injuries, the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite injury claim is 2 years from the date of the injury, and if it’s a minor that was bitten the statute is 2 years from the date of the minor turning 18 years of age.  It’s important to first seek medical treatment for your dog bite, and then contact us for a 100% free legal case review of the bite incident.

The Dangers of Dog bites.

Dog saliva contains a type of bacteria known as Pasteurelle multocida that if not treated immediately can lead to a number of diseases and possible amputations of the arm or leg of the victim.  

• Nearly 1 out of 5 bites will lead to an infection.

Pasteurelle multocida is the most common bacterial infection after a dog bite. Immediate surgical drainage at the bite area and penicillin therapy is usually the treatment of choice. However in more extreme cases the bite victim may have to have a surgically attached draining-bag system attached to the leg or arm.

Other dog bite related injuries are fractures of upper limbs, infective arthritis and osteomyelitis, septicemia, crushing injury or internal injury, and fracture of lower limbs.

Average Settlements for Homeowners

In legal terms a settlement is reached when both parties negotiate and come to an agreement.  It should be noted that all dog bite injury cases are unique, so estimating a settlement can be difficult without knowing the facts of what happened at the time of the attack or bite.  

Take Action Today if you or someone you know was attacked or bitten by a dog.

If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog, contact us today using the 100% secure form on this page, or simply call us toll free at 1-800-631-5656 and talk to an injury advocate today.

Sources:

https://www.iii.org/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7061808/

https://www.dogsbite.org/

https://topdogtips.com/statistics-on-dog-bites/