Dog Bite Lawyer in San Francisco County, CA

If you are bitten as the result of an unprovoked dog attack, you may be entitled to compensation. In most cases, dog owners are bound by a strict liability standard, which means that they are assumed to be liable for your injuries regardless of the circumstances of the attack. The team at Silverthorne Attorneys may be able to review your case, determine who the liable party or parties may be and take other steps to preserve your rights.

A dog bite victim may incur a number of injuries such as broken bones, nerve damage or an infection. For instance, a bite may become infected if the dog’s teeth pierce the skin or if a surface wound occurs in an area that is hard to clean. In such a scenario, the bacteria from the dog’s mouth could seep into the bloodstream through an existing cut or open wound on your body. Injuries may require surgery, medication or other serious interventions, and the party responsible for the attack may be required to pay existing and long-term costs relating to your dog bite injuries.

Your dog bite attorney may be able to talk more about how it might impact your ability to work or otherwise engage in activities that you enjoyed prior to the incident. A dog bite lawyer may be able to help you obtain compensation for lost wages or lost future earnings if you’re unable to work after an attack. You may also experience mental anguish or loss of consortium as a result of your injuries, and a settlement or jury award may compensate you for this as well.

There are steps that dog owners can take to minimize the risk of a dog bite lawsuit. For instance, they should keep their dogs on a leash to make them easier to control while on a walk. It may also be a good idea to keep them inside or in a fenced area if they must be outside while unsupervised. Studying a dog’s body language may allow you to prevent an attack before one starts. For instance, dogs that have their ears pinned back, are yawning or expose their teeth may be stressed, startled or otherwise ready to defend themselves or their territory.

If you are injured by a dog, you’re encouraged to contact a dog attack attorney such as those at Silverthorne Attorneys. Our team can review your case, help you gather evidence and enable you to determine whether you want to settle the matter or take it to trial. Your attorney will likely file a lawsuit on your behalf even if you decide to settle outside of court in an effort to comply with the statute of limitations in personal injury cases. In California, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim, and our team can explain this and more in detail during a consultation.