San Fernando Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Dogs are often referred to as man’s best friend. No wonder, considering that millions of dogs around the country serve as lovable, loyal home companions, aid disabled people with their daily life activities, and even serve as members of law enforcement agencies and in branches of the military. Though generally friendly, a dog that decides to bite can cause an innocent, unsuspecting individual catastrophic injuries or even end their life. The experienced San Fernando dog bite injury attorneys at the Walch Law Group understand that these incidents can result in trauma, pain, and extensive financial expenses; that’s why you need us to deliver results. We start fighting as soon as you hire us to get you the check and the closure you need with no unnecessary delays so you can begin moving on with your life. Contact us today to learn how Robert and Gary’s 40 plus years of experience giving clients success in over 95 percent of their cases make them the team you want in your corner.

San Fernando is a small town of just over 24,000 located northwest of downtown Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley. The city is home to a number of residents with homes and yards, making it a popular area for dog owners. The area in and around San Fernando has numerous areas that welcome dogs and non-dog owners alike, such as:

• Pioneer Park
• Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Park
• Rudy Ortega Park
• San Fernando Recreation Park
• Las Palmas Park
• Laurel Canyon

This means if you venture out in San Fernando, you’re likely to encounter a four-legged stranger. Most are friendly, but even the friendliest dogs can turn in an instant if they feel threatened, startled, or become possessive over water, toys, food, or their owners. Close to 4.5 million bites occur every year in the United States, and a large portion of those happen in Los Angeles and the surrounding area including San Fernando. This means whenever you encounter a dog, you need to be aware that you are at risk for bites and injuries.

If you’ve been injured by a dog bite or in an animal attack, it’s understandable that you want the party whose dog is responsible for your injuries held liable for your damages. Dog owners in California are generally held liable for injuries inflicted by their animals. To hold an owner strictly liable for your injuries you only need to prove to a court that:

• The defendant owns the animal in question
• You were bitten either while lawfully present on private property or were bitten on public property
• The bite injured you

In most cases, strict liability will attach to a dog owner. However, there are a few cases where you will need to establish negligence – the owner breached a legal duty of care to you and that breach resulted in your injuries. The exceptions to strict liability include circumstances where:

• You provoked the dog in some way
• You were trespassing on private property at the time you were bitten
• You were bitten by a military or law enforcement dog during the time it was performing official duties

If you can establish that strict liability or negligence apply, you may be able to hold the owner liable and recover for damages suffered including medical expenses, lost future earning potential, pain and suffering, and permanent disability or disfigurement.

Dog bites and other animal attacks are surprise events that can easily leave a victim reeling from the physical, emotional, and financial effects long after a dog is finished destroying your peace of mind. If you’re feeling overwhelmed in the aftermath and are unsure what steps to take next, the skilled San Fernando dog bite injury attorneys at Walch Law are here to help. We know that the strain of paying for expensive medical treatment and other after-effects can throw a wrench in your plans for the future; they can also give you the idea that you can’t afford to hire a lawyer to help you pursue the compensation you deserve; we disagree, which is why all our cases are taken on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t need to pay us anything until after you’ve already gotten paid. Get in touch with us today to learn more about the lawsuit and recovery process, see how our knowledge, experience, and extensive local resources can help, and get started today.