English 
Spanish If you or a loved one required medical treatment and care after a dog bite injury, you may have a case against the dog’s owner. A San Bernardino dog bite lawyer from our team can help you build a case and hold the owner accountable.
With over 10 years of experience, our team handles a wide range of injury cases, including dog bites. A San Bernardino personal injury lawyer from KJT Law Group can help you get justice. Contact us today for a free consultation with our team.
Let Our San Bernardino Dog Bite Team Manage Your Injury Case
When you choose KJT Law Group, you are choosing a team that will fight for you. We are committed to our clients, and each one works directly with their attorney. We limit our caseload to ensure each case and person gets the attention they deserve. No case is too small or too challenging. We are ready to go to work on your case—and win.
Our track record of success, along with our ratings and reviews, helps you see how our team fights for the best interests of our clients. We provide personalized support and develop a legal strategy specifically designed to meet your needs and address your concerns. Consider this recent review:
“Professional, pleasant, and true advocacy all the way. They really helped me and supported my claim. I highly recommend it to everyone.” – R.M.
We work based on contingency fees. Our team does not expect injured clients to pay upfront fees or costs. We work for a percentage of the money we recover. We only get paid when you get paid. You can learn more during your free initial consultation with our team.
Common Injuries and Recoverable Damages in San Bernardino Dog Bite Cases
Dog bites can cause serious injuries and have a high risk of infections. Even minor bites could require medical treatment, prescription medications, and follow-up. Serious attacks could require surgery, hospitalization, and future care.
Some types of possible dog bite injuries include:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Lacerations and tears
- Amputations, particularly of fingers or hands
- Bruises and contusions
- Broken bones
- Infections
- Nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma, possibly including PTSD
When you have dog bite injuries, the necessary medical care and healing could require time away from work and thousands of dollars (or more) in expenses. Our attorneys understand how to document the expenses and losses—both economic and non-economic—that victims incur and seek compensation to pay for them. This could include:
- Medical care costs, such as treatment, surgeries, and medications
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Future medical care expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity for new disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability or impairment
California Law Holds Dog Owners Liable for the Injuries They Cause
Dog owners in California are strictly liable for injuries their pets cause under California Civil Code § 3342. With a few exceptions, when dog bites occur on public or private property, and the victim is on that property legally, the owner will be legally responsible. This means:
- The owner is liable for the damages the victim suffered in most cases.
- The owner can be held responsible regardless of the dog’s past behavior or if the owner is aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies.
- Trespassers may not be able to hold the dog’s owner legally liable, although there are exceptions.
- The dog’s owner may not be liable if the victim was provoking the dog in some way.
The dog owner’s insurance company may provide coverage for these incidents. This is most commonly covered by a homeowners or renters insurance policy. However, these companies could push back and say you were provoking the dog or trespassing. This makes it more difficult to prove your case, but we will present strong evidence and fight for the compensation you need to cover your expenses and losses.
We Must Have Strong Evidence to Bolster Your Dog Bite Claim
When you work with an attorney from our firm, we will investigate the dog bite incident and gather evidence to support the payout you deserve. Each case has different evidence available, but we know how to seek documentation and proof of what happened.
Some common evidence to support a dog bite case includes:
- Medical records showing the injuries that occurred
- Photographs of the injuries and related items, such as torn clothing
- Witness statements from those who saw the attack
- Animal control or police reports filed by San Bernardino Animal Control or San Bernardino Police Department
- Evidence of the dog’s prior aggressive behavior, when available
- Statements from neighbors or others about the dog’s temperament
- Expert testimony from veterinarians, trainers, medical professionals, and others
- Videos of the incident, when available
- Documentation of emotional or psychological harm
- Paperwork and other documentation of other damages
Our lawyers will use the evidence we gather and the damages we document to compel the insurance carrier to provide a fair settlement offer. We can often settle these cases through negotiations with the insurer. They rarely want to go to court unless they feel certain they can win.
However, in some cases, we may need to sue the dog’s owner. This could occur if we cannot reach a fair agreement, there are disputed case facts, or there is another reason why your lawyer believes litigation is necessary. If we do need to sue, there is a limited time to do so. Under CCP § 335.1, there are generally only two years to file a lawsuit based on injuries.
Discuss Your San Bernardino Dog Bite Injuries With Our Team
KJT Law Group provides free case reviews for victims hurt by someone else’s dog. You can trust our team with your case and rely on a dog bite lawyer from our firm to pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.