San Diego Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Last Friday, a violent dog attack in Solano County left two Fairfield women with injuries ranging from moderate to serious, Mercury News reported. A 52-year-old woman had been jogging down Pavillion Drive at about 6 a.m. when she was attacked by a bull mastiff, a pit-bull mastiff mix, and an American Bulldog. Neighbors heard cries from the woman and called police, but also took matters into their own hands and shot one of the dogs. The other two dogs went and attacked a 34-year-old woman jogging nearby. The 52-year-old woman was taken by ambulance to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Valley, and the 34-year-old woman was taken to NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield. Animal Services rounded up the dogs, who were to be euthanized.

The September 10th Fairfield incident is a reminder of the seriousness of dog attacks. While the vast majority of dogs are sweet and loving companions, some dogs are inherently aggressive, or are trained by their owners to be vicious. In California, in every situation, the owner of the dog is responsible for injuries sustained when a dog attacks. California Civil Code Section 3342(a) makes the owner of a dog strictly liable for damages suffered by a person who is bitten by that dog in a public place or lawfully in a private place.

What to Do After a Dog Bite Attack

The San Diego dog bite lawyers at Estey Bomberger are frequently contacted by victims of dog bites in San Diego County and throughout California. We have handled numerous dog bite claims, many of which involved young children who were victims. We have also represented joggers, couriers, and postal workers who have been attacked and sustained serious injury. When victims and their families contact us shortly after an accident, we are able to help the victims gather information, and preserve evidence valuable to a personal injury claim, so that ultimately we can recover the maximum compensation our clients are entitled to for their medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Many prospective clients ask us - what should they do after a dog attack? Below are the steps you should take if you or your child has been bitten by a dog.

Get medical attention as soon as possible. Even if a dog's bite does not appear life-threatening, dog bites may carry diseases that could cause an infection. Do not waste any time in going to an emergency room or urgent care center. If the bite causes severe bleeding, call 911. Seeking medical treatment is recommended both for your own well-being as well as documenting the extent of your injuries, should you wish to pursue a claim.

Identify the Dog (And its Owner). If you are able to, or if you are not ask someone to help you, write down the name, age, breed, and gender of the dog. Also get the contact information of their owner: their name, address, telephone number and their home owner's insurance policy information. If the dog's owner cannot be located, note the date, time, and exact location of the accident, and a general description of the dog.

Contact Police / Animal Control.
It is important that any serious dog attack or mauling be reported to your local police, sheriff or animal control agency. This creates a legal record of the event.

Document Your Injuries.
If possible, take photographs of all injuries and damage caused by the attack. Keep records of your medical treatment and how your injuries have affected you. How has your life changed because of your injuries? What future medical treatments (i.e., plastic surgeries) does your doctor recommend?

At Estey Bomberger, we understand the many concerns of dog bite victims. If you or someone in your family has suffered serious injuries because of a dog bite, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our San Diego dog bite injury attorneys available to discuss your case 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit our website to see our dog bite video testimonials and dog bite video questions.