Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog can be a beloved family pet, but even a normally friendly animal can become aggressive and cause serious injuries. A dog bite can happen unexpectedly while you are walking through a neighborhood, visiting someone's home, delivering a package, working at a property, or simply going about your day in West Sacramento. When a dog attacks, the physical injuries can be painful and frightening, and the emotional effects may continue long after the wounds have healed.



Dog bites can cause puncture wounds, lacerations, infections, nerve damage, scarring, and other injuries. Children can be particularly vulnerable because of their size and proximity to dogs. In severe attacks, a victim may require emergency treatment, surgery, reconstructive procedures, or ongoing medical care.

If you or your child was injured by a dog in West Sacramento, it is important to understand your legal options. At the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika, we represent personal injury victims throughout Northern California. Founding attorney Brian P. Azemika has more than 20 years of experience in personal injury law and can help you understand the circumstances surrounding your injury.

California Dog Bite Law

California has specific laws addressing dog-related injuries. In many circumstances, California follows a strict liability approach to dog bites. This means a dog owner may be responsible for certain injuries caused by their dog even if the dog has never bitten anyone or shown aggressive behavior.

California Civil Code Section 3342 generally applies when a person is bitten while in a public place or lawfully on private property. The law can apply regardless of whether the dog had previously demonstrated a tendency to bite.

This is important because victims sometimes hear that they cannot have a claim because the dog had "never bitten anyone before." A previous bite is not necessarily required under California's dog-bite statute.

However, every situation is different, and the facts surrounding the incident still matter. Where the bite occurred, why the victim was on the property, the nature of the injury, and other circumstances may affect the legal analysis.

Dog Attacks Are Not Always Simple Bites

A dog does not necessarily have to leave a traditional bite wound for an animal attack to cause serious harm. A person can be knocked to the ground, scratched, chased into traffic, or otherwise injured while attempting to escape an aggressive dog.

For example, someone walking through a West Sacramento neighborhood may encounter an unleashed dog that suddenly runs toward them. The person may fall while trying to get away and suffer a broken wrist or head injury without actually being bitten.

The circumstances of an injury like this can be different from a traditional dog-bite case. You may need to carefully evaluate the cause of the injury and the dog's and owner's conduct.

Common Places Dog Bite Injuries Occur

Dog attacks can happen almost anywhere people and animals come into contact. A person may be bitten while visiting a friend's home or walking through a residential neighborhood. Delivery drivers, contractors, postal workers, and other professionals may encounter dogs while performing their jobs. Children may be attacked while playing at a neighbor's house or approaching a dog they believe is friendly.

Dog bites can also happen in apartment complexes, parks, public areas, and other locations where dogs are regularly present.

The location of the attack can become important when determining the circumstances surrounding the incident and identifying the appropriate parties.

What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?

Your first priority after a dog attack should be getting medical attention. Dog bites can cause damage beneath the surface of the skin, and even relatively small wounds can become infected.

After receiving appropriate medical care, document the incident as thoroughly as possible. If you can safely do so, photograph your injuries and the location where the attack occurred. Keep records of your medical treatment and any expenses associated with the injury.

If possible, identify the dog's owner. Obtain their contact information and information about the dog. If witnesses saw the attack, their contact information may be valuable, too. Do not put yourself at additional risk by attempting to approach or restrain an aggressive animal.

Children and Dog Bite Injuries

Children are especially vulnerable to dog attacks. They may be closer to a dog's face and may not understand warning signs that an animal is uncomfortable, frightened, or aggressive. A child's injuries may also be more serious because of the child's smaller size. A bite that might affect an adult's arm, for example, can cause severe injuries to a child's face or neck.

If your child was bitten by a dog, seek medical attention promptly and preserve information about the incident. Photographs, witness information, medical records, and information about the dog's owner can all be important.

Parents may also have questions about their child's recovery, future medical needs, scarring, and emotional well-being. An attorney can review the circumstances and explain the legal options available to the family.

What If the Dog Owner Says It Was an Accident?

Dog owners may describe an attack as unusual or claim that their dog was provoked. They may also say that the dog had never behaved aggressively before.

Those statements do not necessarily resolve whether a victim has a legal claim.

California's dog-bite law can impose liability even if a dog has never bitten anyone before. At the same time, not every animal-related injury falls into the same legal category.

The circumstances surrounding the attack matter. Where it happened, whether the victim was lawfully present, how the injury occurred, and other facts should be considered before reaching conclusions about responsibility.

What If You Were Bitten While Working?

Certain occupations involve frequent interaction with dogs. Delivery workers, postal employees, utility workers, home-service professionals, caregivers, and other workers may encounter dogs while performing their jobs.

If you were bitten or otherwise injured by a dog while working, there may be additional considerations involving your employment and potential workers' compensation benefits. There may also be questions about whether another party can be held responsible for the injury.

Because multiple areas of law can potentially be involved, it can be helpful to discuss the specific circumstances with an attorney rather than assuming that only one type of claim is available.

Contact Brian Azemika Today

If you or your child was injured by a dog in West Sacramento, do not assume that you have to deal with the medical, financial, and emotional consequences on your own. California dog-bite law can be different from what many people expect, and the circumstances of your particular injury matter.

Contact the Law Office of Brian P. Azemika today to schedule your free, fully confidential case evaluation. We can listen to what happened, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options after a dog bite or other animal-related injury.