Dog Bite At Work Lawyers
A dog bite at work can be very upsetting and traumatic. And the first priority is always to seek medical attention for your dog bite injuries. There is never any reason to risk your health and safety. Please seek medical attention if you have not already. The expert dog bite at work lawyers at Kenmore Law Group are available 24/7 to answer any questions about a dog bite case after you have gotten the medical care you need for your injuries.
Ideally, you have seen a medical professional and have your dog bite injuries evaluated and treated. This step is essential because of all the bacteria and germs in a dog’s mouth that can cause rabies, cellulitis, staph and strep infections, and even blood and bone infections. But now you also know that extensive medical care can be required to treat dog bites. So you could start worrying about how you will pay the bills for your essential medical treatment and maybe even your living expenses if you cannot return to work immediately.
Getting the answers to those questions and viable solutions to the issues is where the Kenmore Law Group steps in. Our team of expert dog bite at work lawyers and worker’s comp lawyers are here to answer your questions, provide legal guidance, and help protect your rights and financial future. It begins with a free consultation to discuss your injuries and the details surrounding your dog bite at work. So don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Kenmore Law Group office today to request your appointment for a free consultation and to begin planning how to move past this challenging event in your life.
$465,000
Slip & Fall
$500,000
Premises Liability
$525,000
Head Trauma
$500,000
Back Injury
$599,000
Slip And Fall Accident
$600,000
Shoulder Injury
The Dog Bite Laws In California
If you happen to be a dog owner, you could already know that California is considered a strict liability state regarding dog bites. That means dog owners are responsible for their dogs’ actions when in public and in most private settings. So if your dog bites a person while walking on the beach or in a park, you are typically responsible for the victim’s injuries unless they have provoked or abused your dog. The same is valid for private property as long as the victim is on the property legally. A common exception is a person trespassing or on the property without the owner’s permission, such as a burglar.
While all of this might make your dog bite issues seem easy to understand and sort out, the fact that you were working at the time of the dog bite adds significant complications to the case. However, the expert dog bite at work lawyers at Kenmore Law Group are here to help you sort out the details and determine whom to hold responsible for your injuries. In addition, we will help you get the money you deserve for the dog bite and any losses it has caused.
If The Dog Is Owned By Your Employer
All business owners in California with employees must have worker’s compensation insurance. The program provides added security for the employees and employer when an accident or injury occurs. For example, when an employee is hurt at work, the worker’s comp program pays for the medical bills and part of the lost wages for the injury victim. The program also protects the employer from being sued by the injured employee for more money.
So when you are bit by a dog your employer owns, you have the right to file a claim with worker’s comp to have your medical bills paid and receive compensation for a part of your lost wages if you cannot work due to the injuries. But in most cases, you cannot sue your employer for additional money. The process to open a workers comp claim should be started by your employer. However, if they are not cooperating, the worker’s comp experts at Kenmore Law Group can assist you in this matter.
In addition, some extenuating circumstances might allow you to seek added compensation from the dog owner. As you discuss your case with the Kenmore Law Group team, they will explain any situation that might apply to you and how it would benefit you.
Do You Provide Dog Care Services?
Another challenge arises if part or all of your job description involves the care of dogs, specifically the one that bit you while on the job. When you take a job that requires you to work with dogs, there is an inherent possibility of being bit. But because you knowingly took the position and are being paid to do the job, you have assumed the risk of a dog bite. Basically, you have implied that you know it could happen and took responsibility for it in most cases.
The rule is generally called the veterinarian’s rule and applies to vets, dog groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, pet store employees, and other paying jobs that involve caring for dogs. In addition, this rule could apply to you if a part of your job involved caring for a dog. For example, if you work in a warehouse but part of your job is feeding and walking the guard dog on the property, you could fall into the veterinarian’s rule. But again, there are some exceptions that the Kenmore Law Group will explain if they apply to your situation.
You Might Qualify For Two Claims
If the dog does not belong to your employer and you are not tasked with dog care duties, you might be able to file two claims. The first would be a worker’s comp claim to pay for your medical bills and part of your lost wages if you cannot work. The second claim would be against the dog owner for additional losses you suffered due to the dog bite.
An example of this scenario is a delivery person who is bit while placing a package at someone’s door. The homeowner forgot to secure the dog door, and a large dog came bounding out and bit you. You were working at the time of the dog bite, so worker’s comp covers you for some of the expenses., However, the dog owner might also be sued for added costs, such as damage to personal belongings like a cell phone or watch, clothing, or other items. You might also pursue the part of your lost wages not compensated by worker’s comp. The staff at Kenmore Law Group will help you understand how these two claims can work in your favor to ensure you are fully compensated for your losses.
Understanding The Time Limits On Your Claims
When filing a personal injury lawsuit, such as a dog bite, in California, you have two years from the date of the injury to have the claim filed with the court system. If you wait longer than two years, you will have lost your right to make any claim on the injuries. However, in the case of a worker’s comp claim, you have only 30 days from the date of the injury to make a claim.
However, the pros at Kenmore Law Group recommend seeking legal advice and beginning any claim as soon as possible. All claims take time to process. And there is no way to know how long it will take to complete a lawsuit against the dog owner. So the sooner you move forward, the faster you can have the compensation you need to pay bills and living expenses related to your dog bite injury at work.
How Much Is A Dog Bite Case Worth?
Each injury lawsuit is calculated based on the losses of the injury victim. The staff at Kenmore Law Group will assist you in compiling the documents needed to determine the losses you have suffered due to the dog bite injury. The amounts can include:
- All of your medical bills for treatment and therapy related to the dog bite injuries
- Any future medical expenses required for the care of the injuries
- Any lost wages if you cannot return to work while healing
- The lost wages for work missed to attend medical appointments
- Your legal fees for representation and filing the lawsuit
- A dollar amount for the pain and suffering you endured
Why Choose The Kenmore Law Group
At the Kenmore Law Group, we focus on our client’s best interests. We work diligently to see that their immediate needs are met and those for the future. We want to get them the most compensation possible to ensure they can move forward from their dog bite at work with no added debt or financial challenges. So we pledge never to get paid for our services until we get our clients paid for their losses.
You owe us nothing until you get a settlement or verdict for your dog bite lawsuit. And if we lose the case, you never see a bill from Kenmore Law Group. Our goal is to help dog bite at work victims fully recover financially, emotionally, and physically from the traumatic event they have endured. Contact Kenmore Law Group today to learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve for your dog bit injuries.