Experienced and Trusted Dog Bite Law Firm

Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in Chula Vista

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but even the most loyal four-legged companion has the ability to inflict serious, and even fatal, injuries. Under California law, as is applicable in Chula Vista and surrounding areas, dog owners are legally obligated to keep their dogs under control at all times, including being securely enclosed within the property while at home, and on a leash elsewhere. Did you know that California had two fatal dog bite accidents in 2017, leading to the state ranking joint #3, along with Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Virginia? The only states to see more fatal dog bite injuries were Ohio, with 4 deaths, and Texas and Georgia, with 3 fatal dog bite injuries apiece.

If you, or a loved one, have been bitten by a dog, a skilled Chula Vista personal injury attorney from Eugene Bruno & Associates could ensure you recover the maximum amount of compensation available to you, while holding the dog’s owner accountable for their actions.

Dog Bites in Chula Vista and Beyond – The Statistics

Dog bites happen far more frequently than you may think, with some of the following statistics making for very sobering reading:

• Around 4.5 million dog bites happen across the United States each year
• Approximately 28,000 of these dog injury victims require reconstructive surgery
• Hospital stays after dog bite injuries increased by 86% between 1993 and 2008
• Over 1,000 people seek emergency hospital treatment after a dog bite every day
• A dog injury occurs somewhere in the United States every 75 seconds
• Pit bulls are responsible both for the highest number of dog bites, and the most severe injuries. Pit bulls are significantly more likely to bite a victim more than once
• 71% of fatal dog bite injuries are inflicted by pit bulls, according to statistics covering 2011-2017
• 53% of dog injuries are inflicted on a member of the family the dog is owned by

If you are interested in dog injuries which occur closer to home, the San Diego County Department of Animal Services report:

• Investigating over 2,500 dog bite injuries every year
• An increase in serious dog injury of 28% in a one year period alone
• The three breeds responsible for most San Diego County bite injuries are pit bulls, German Shepherds, and chihuahuas

How Can a Chula Vista Dog Attack Attorney Help Me?

As California imposes strict liability on a dog owner whose dog inflicts injury on any person, it is not considered an adequate defense to state that they owner was unaware that the dog had aggressive tendencies. The only exception to this is injuries caused to a person who was trespassing onto the dog owner’s property. Otherwise, if you have been bitten by a dog, a Chula Vista dog bite attorney could ensure you recover monetary damages in respect of:

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost earnings
• Other associated damages and expenses

If you were seriously hurt in a dog attack, contact a Chula Vista dog bite lawyer at Eugene Bruno & Associates today to discuss your claim.

Additional Information

• Steps to Take Following a Chula Vista Dog Bite Attack