Contact a Westminster dog bite lawyer at 949-203-3814 if a dog bite seriously injures you. Recovery can be expensive, and there is no better way to ensure a better recovery than finding the best legal representation for your dog bite case.
With a 99% success rate, our injury lawyers have won countless awards and over $900 million in compensation for victims of personal injuries in Westminster. Do not settle for an attorney whose sole interest is to cash out.
At Bisnar Chase’s law firm, we want to offer top-notch legal guidance and provide you with an excellent attorney-client relationship.
Our mission statement is “To provide superior client representation compassionately and professionally while making our world a safer place.”
When you call our law offices today, you will receive a free consultation with a legal team member.
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Dog Bite Lawyers in Westminster
What To Do After a Dog Attack
If a dog has bitten you, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your legal rights.
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Identify the dog and the owner
- Ask for the dog’s vaccination history
- Report the attack to the local animal control
- Gather witness statements
- Preserve evidence and medical bills
- Follow up on all medical care
- Consult a personal injury attorney
Psychological Issues After a Dog Attack
Being attacked by a dog, especially a large breed dog, can have a lasting impact on your mental health. It’s essential to speak with someone if you are experiencing fear, trauma, or anxiety that is affecting your daily life.
Types of Mental Injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Phobias and fear of dogs
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Trust issues
- Sleep disturbances
Children are particularly vulnerable to long-term psychological effects, as they may lack the coping mechanisms to process the trauma effectively. Professional counseling or therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is often recommended to help victims recover.
Dog Bite Laws in Westminster, California
California enforces a strict liability policy regarding dog bites. This policy implies that the dog’s owner or the person responsible for its supervision bears direct responsibility for any harm caused by the dog attack.
Dog owners are responsible for the injuries their dogs cause and for the property damage they cause. It is common for a dog to chase after someone on a bicycle and rip the wheel off the bike. Owners are held liable for injuries and must compensate the victim for all the damages during the dog attack.
Contact a Westminster dog bite lawyer at 949-203-3814 today.
Can I Claim Compensation for a Dog Attack?
Animal attacks can leave a victim physically and emotionally wounded. It can take months for a person to heal from a dog bite. The toll can include lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
These kinds of damages that can be compensated for are known as punitive damages. The courts can determine punitive damages so the dog bite victim can receive compensation.
Hiring a Westminster dog bite attorney can increase your chances of recovery from the damages you have accumulated from your injuries.
How much money can I get for a dog bite?
Every dog bite case is different, and the injury’s severity weighs heavily on the compensation you will receive. The more severe the injuries, the higher the value of your claim is.
What proof is needed for my dog bite claim?
You will need to provide your medical bills and other documents related to the dog attack, the dog owner’s information, the dog’s vaccine history, and even the clothing you wore if damaged. Pictures of your injuries or video evidence of the attack can also be helpful.
Can I sue for a minor dog bite?
Yes. However, if the animal bite was minor, settling the matter with the dog owner may be worthwhile.
Who is responsible if I live in a HOA?
Typically, the dog’s owner is responsible for the dog bite; however, if the dog was roaming freely, such as a stray, you can investigate whether the HOA was negligent in security.
For 46 years, the law firm of Bisnar Chase has taken on the toughest of injury cases. Our lawyers have the expertise you need to fight against dog bite owners and insurance companies, and we believe that you are entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact us at 949-203-3814.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite injuries can be severe and detrimental to your health. If a dog has bitten you, seeking treatment right away is critical. Otherwise, infection and further serious complications can occur.
One common injury that many dog bite victims suffer from is punctured skin. After the skin is torn, the objective is to prevent any infection. Many dogs, especially stray dogs, do not have all the necessary vaccinations for illnesses such as rabies and Lyme disease.
Dog bite victims may also have to repair damaged skin with plastic surgery. Serious deformities can result from a dog mauling someone on the arm or even the face. Newport Beach, California Plastic surgeon Dr.Daines says that it’s not an easy fix to repair facial trauma from a dog bite.
“Some parts of the face heal quite well and do not require the immediate attention of a specialist. However, areas such as the nose, eyelids, or lips can be difficult to repair and require a specialized skill set. Lost tissue, such as in the event of a dog bite, also requires advanced reconstructive techniques to achieve positive long-term results,” shares Daines.
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a canine, call our Westminster dog bite attorneys today for a free case evaluation. Call 949-203-3814.
5 Ways You Can Protect Your Child From a Dog Bite
In Westminster, there are approximately 90,000 people and around 18,000 dogs. With a high percentage of pedestrian traffic from mail carriers to children walking home from school, these statistics foreshadow a high possibility of many dog attacks.
The majority of populations who experience animal attacks are children. Research has indicated that there are over 333,687 children bitten every year by dogs.
You can take precautions to keep a dog from biting your child.
- Please do not leave your child alone with a dog, specifically a dog she/he doesn’t know.
- Inform your child on how to engage with a dog safely.
- Teach your child to never go up to a dog they do not know.
- If your child is interacting with a dog, leave them in a space where they can escape, just in case the dog has a sudden outburst.
- Pay attention to the dog’s behavior throughout time with your child.
If you’ve been bitten, contact a Westminster dog bite law firm for a free consultation. Call 949-203-3814.
Why Do Dogs Attack?
Dogs of any size can pose a threat to people. Numerous dangerous dog breeds can strike at any moment, but why do dogs attack? Below are the top causes of dog bites.
Reasons why a dog would attack
Sick: Dogs experiencing bruising or soreness in a certain part of their body may attack you or someone who even knew the dog because they do not feel good. The signs that your dog may be sick are if it suddenly becomes vicious, if it pants very hard, or if it constantly urinates.
Afraid: If a dog is not used to socializing with strangers, this can lead to a dog attacking out of fear. It is important to socialize your dog when they are puppies so they will not be aggressive in later years around strangers.
Territorial: When a dog attempts to defend what it believes to be its territory and a stranger approaches, this can have dangerous repercussions. Certain dog breeds known to be very territorial are Rottweilers, pit bulls, and Siberian huskies. The way to avoid your dog attacking someone who is in “its territory” is to train it at an early age that space is to be shared.
Call our Westminster dog bite attorneys at 949-203-3814 if a canine has attacked you. The consultation is free.
Local Resources For a Dog Bite in Westminster
2025 Best Rated Westminster Dog Bite Lawyer
The experienced Westminster dog bite lawyers at Bisnar Chase have dedicated their practice to making sure that dog bite victims can recover from their injuries.
Our legal representation has sustained a 99% success rate, and we have won compensation for our clients who have paid off hefty medical expenses and lost wages from taking time off of work.
Please feel free to get in touch with our Westminster dog bite attorneys at our law firm for more details about your situation if a dog bite has severely injured you.
Get a free consultation today at 949-203-3814.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered nearly $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $900M for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.