While most people think of dogs as being friendly, the truth is that there are times when a dog’s bite can cause severe injuries. Whether a dog is aggressive or a bite is simply an accident, these injuries can cause significant disabilities and disfigurement. At Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, we are here to help if you need a Hayward dog bite attorney. Let our team investigate what happened and secure the compensation you need.
Why choose Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger for this case?
When dealing with a complicated case involving insurance carriers, turn to the trusted team at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger to ensure maximum compensation.
- We have an unmatched record of success, and our attorneys are amongst the most awarded in Northern California.
- We have a full-time physician on our staff who can help us understand your medical issues and prove your injuries in court.
- We understand how insurance carriers operate when it comes to Hayward dog bite cases, and we are ready to take them on.
We understand that dog bite victims may not have the finances to pay for an attorney upfront. That is why we take all Hayward dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. This means our clients pay no legal fees until after we secure the compensation they deserve.
Dog bite accidents can cause severe injuries
Studies indicate that there may be around 4.5 million dog bite incidents each year across the country. Not every one of these dog bites requires medical care, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that around 20% of all dog bite cases do require treatment at the hospital.
Injuries from these incidents can be severe, and the Hayward dog bite attorneys at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger regularly help clients who have sustained the following:
- Significant soft tissue damage
- Severe puncture wounds or lacerations
- Severed arteries or veins
- Damaged tendons, muscles, and ligaments
- Amputations of fingers
Dog bite victims often regularly sustain significant scarring or disfigurement, and it is not uncommon for victims in these situations to suffer from emotional and psychological damage.
Is California a strict liability dog bite state?
When we turn to Section 3342 of the Civil Code in California, we can see that this state follows what is considered a “strict liability” statute concerning dog bites. This means that a dog’s owner can be held liable for damages caused by the dog bite so long as the incident happened in a public place or where the victim had a lawful right to be. Unlike other states, the victim does not have to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent or that the dog had a history of biting or aggression.
How much compensation is available for this case?
Personal injury laws do not define a set amount of money that should be awarded to victims of dog bite injuries. Rather, the total amount of money in victim receives will depend on the facts of their particular case. At Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, we are regularly able to help victims in these cases recovered the following:
- Coverage of all medical expenses related to the dog bite
- Lost income if a victim cannot work while they recover
- Loss of personal enjoyment damages
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages against the dog’s owner
We have extensive experience recovery millions of dollars in compensation for clients in these cases, including a $1.5 settlement in a dog bite and police misconduct case. If you need Hayward dog bite attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling (415) 981-7210.
