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Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer – MKP Law Group Will Help You Win

Our attorneys exclusively represent injury victims.
For years we have fought on behalf of clients who were hurt in accidents due to the negligence of another party.

Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer

Did you know that there are about 89.7 million dogs as pets in the US? As for California, nearly 40% of households have at least one dog.

Unsurprisingly, your chances of having an interaction with a dog are high, and subsequently, the potential for a negative encounter is even higher. Despite the large amount of love we have for dogs, the truth is that injuries are still likely to occur, especially with dogs you don't know.

If you've been injured following an incident with a dog or dog attack, you may need help to navigate the next steps, not to mention the maze of paperwork required to file a case.

Dog bites fall under the umbrella of personal injury cases. At MKP Law Group, LLP, our attorneys exclusively work with injury victims, helping them to protect their rights, and assisting with navigating the legal maze that stands between the client and fair compensation for damages.

When you need the assistance of our Orange County dog bite attorney, there will be no up-front costs to you. We do not ask our clients to pay out-of-pocket when they are struggling to cope with recent injuries. On the contrary, we work with a team made up of medical experts who ensure that you get the care you need to make a full and speedy recovery.

In the meantime, we work on the legal end to seek compensation for your losses.

testimonial

MKP provided outstanding legal representation for our case involving a dog attack incident.

Candice W.

Local Orange County Entities to Consult After a Dog Bite

Local Medical Facilities:

Animal Control Services:

  • OC Animal Care is an important resource for reporting dog bites and requesting incident reports.

Local Legal Resources:

Community Resources:

  • Find community support groups to discuss your experience and get additional advice.

MKP Law serves dog bite victims across Orange County. Whether you live in Orange itself, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Anaheim, or Santa Ana, our compassionate team can help you. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you go through the legal process of protecting your rights after a dog bite incident. We understand the unique local laws and can assist you in securing compensation for your injuries while you focus on your recovery.

Why Hire a Orange County Dog Bite Attorney?

What happens after a dog bites you? Did you know that you, as the victim, still have the obligation to report the attack? While it is true that the dog’s owner and any witnesses also have to do so, do not make the mistake of forgetting about reporting your side.

An Orange County dog bite lawyer gives you the space to breathe. They know the ins and outs of Orange County dog laws, so that an insurer cannot hide.

You need this kind of help to sort your damages by medical, financial, and emotional losses.

Orange County dog law requires the animal’s owner to give you their information and the dog’s license number.

  • What are you supposed to do with them? An attorney will guide you through the information collection process and handle your end of the legal requirements.
  • What should you do if the dog’s owner protests? Would you know how to make a dog bite case for the state’s strict liability standard? When you are hurt, worried, and still trying to get back on your feet, there is a good chance that you are not able to take it all in and do what you need to file a case in a timely manner.

Therefore, hiring an attorney is the best decision you can make in your case. The lawyer evaluates your case. They help you define a strategy that lets you work through the situation at a pace that is comfortable for you. Also, they do the heavy lifting of filing documents, negotiating with insurance companies, and dealing with obstinate dog owners who might try to blame you for the bite attack.

Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts

Settlement amounts for dog bite cases can vary widely. Factors like injury severity, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, make each case unique and will determine how much a Los Angeles dog bite injury victim may receive as compenation.

Location/Measure Settlement Amount 
United States $58,545
California  $68,125
Average range  $10,000 - $100,000
Median range $75,000 - $80,000

 

Working with a local dog bite attorney ensures you're equipped to navigate the complexities of your claim, maximizing your settlement by countering low-ball offers and advocating for the compensation you deserve.

Medical attention for dog bites

Stats on Dog Bites in the United States, California, and Orange County

Orange County dog bite stats:

  • 41% of OC dangerous dog owners didn't complete the "Responsible Pet Ownership Class."  Orange County Animal Services Audit
  • OC Animal Care underreported dog bites by 78% in 2022. VoiceofOC.org
  • Severe dog bites in Orange County increased in 2022-2023, including a life-threatening incident, despite OCAC claiming improved safety. VoiceofOC.org

Despite our love for dogs, the number of attacks by these beloved animals continues to increase both in Orange County, California, and nationwide.

  • 4.7 million dog bite incidents were reported in the United States in 1994. Cdc.gov.
  • 885,000 dog bite victims annually need medical attention for related injuries. PubMed.
  • 70% increase in California dog bite injuries from 2005 to 2022, 125 visits per 100,000 residents. Data.chhs.ca.gov
  • California was the top state for dog-related injury claims in 2017. The insurance company paid out $18.7 million for 468 dog-related injury claims for incidents that occurred in California. Overall, including all dog-related injury claims across the country, State Farm paid a total of $132 million for the 3,600 cases.  Statefarm.com.
  • 66% of reported canine deaths were from pit bulls (311 of 471). Pit bulls and rottweilers together account for 76% of the total recorded deaths reported. DogsBite.org.

We've rounded up all the most important data in our Important Dog Bite Statistics & Bites by Breed for 2024 page.

Do I Need an Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer to File a Lawsuit?

The good news is that the majority of dog bites are not fatal.

Even still, it's important to note that according to Orange County Codified Ordinance 4-1-62 it is required to report any dog bites that occur, however minor.

Any person having knowledge of the location of an animal suspected of having rabies, or of any person having been bitten or scratched by any warm-blooded mammal, or of any signs of disease or unusual behavior in any animal under quarantine, shall immediately report such facts to the Director."

Here's a direct link to the form to report a dog bite in Orange County: Animal Bite to Human Reporting Form.

Orange County dog attacks are more likely to happen when friends and family members enter the animal’s space. Fortunately, many attacks are so minor that they do not typically call for medical attention. The dog’s teeth may not entirely puncture the skin or do so only slightly.

However, you may benefit from consulting with an Orange County dog bite attorney if:

  • The attack was serious. For example, you might not just have puncture wounds but also have lacerations and open wounds. If the dog is bigger, it may cause organ damage, bone fractures, and even nerve damage.
  • An infection causes a build-up of scar tissue, which might lead to permanent disfigurement.
  • Extreme cases when the injury can be so severe that you lose the full use of a hand or arm.

As you might imagine, the increasing seriousness of the potential injuries leads to the need for extensive medical care. You may undergo surgery to repair torn muscles. After you heal, you might require plastic surgery to repair areas with extreme scarring.

An Orange County dog bite lawyer can file a lawsuit that helps you get fair reimbursement for the financial losses you suffer. Working with a lawyer can ensure that proper steps are taken in order to prove your case. Lawyers often collect surveillance footage that a neighbor’s camera might have recorded. Since motion-activated cameras are now very popular in the area, there is a chance that the attack was caught on video. Lastly, because of Orange County's rules about vicious dogs, it is critical to also research the animal’s history and see if the owner has added liability for negligence.

Finding the Right Law Firm for Your Orange County Dog Bite Case

For Orange County residents dealing with serious injuries from a dog bite, partnering with experienced personal injury attorneys is crucial to ensuring fair compensation.

Whether the attack occurred in a public place like a park or on private property, a skilled legal team can help you navigate the complexities of California dog bite laws and hold the owner of the dog accountable.

Understanding the statute of limitations is essential. In California, you typically have two years to file a dog bite lawsuit, so acting quickly is critical to preserving your rights. A law firm with years of experience in dog bite and car accident cases can guide you through the process, offering sound legal advice and ensuring every detail is addressed.

A strong attorney-client relationship is the cornerstone of effective representation. The legal team at MKP Law Group takes extra care to prioritize communication, help our clients understand the nuances of local laws, and provide expert legal advice tailored to your situation. From evaluating your case to negotiating with homeowner’s insurance or litigating in court, our law firm is ready to handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on recovery. If your injuries require extensive medical treatment, we will work with you to ensure these costs—along with emotional distress and lost wages—are fully accounted for.

At our firm, we offer a free case evaluation to assess your claim and provide peace of mind. With a proven track record, our attorneys have helped clients in Irvine and across Orange County achieve justice. Whether dealing with attacks involving dangerous dog breeds or incidents on private places, we are here to help. Reach out today for expert guidance and compassionate support.

FAQ's

Free Consultation

We Make the Process Easy to Get the Results You Deserve

323-524-9619

info@mkplawgroup.com

3701 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 870
Los Angeles, CA 90010

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Meet Attorney Jordan W.Peagler

Jordan W. Peagler is a partner and co-founder of MKP Law Group, LLP who was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Jordan is a trial attorney who handles complex civil litigation matters in personal injury, medical malpractice and insurance bad faith. Jordan has handled all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation through mediation, arbitration, and trial.

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Meet Attorney Matt Meyer

Matt Meyer is a founding partner of MKP Law Group, LLP and has worked on both sides of personal injury cases. He began his career defending Fortune 500 and insurance companies in high-stakes litigation. Unfortunately, he discovered that years of representing corporations--instead of people--was not good for the soul.

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Meet Attorney Adam Kim

Adam D. Kim is a native of Chicago, Illinois and a co-founding partner of MKP Law Group, LLP. Adam has focused his litigation practice on all types of personal injury matters, including wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall, and dog bites. With the realization that many clients view litigation and legal matters to be an unpleasant and confusing experience.

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Free Consultation

We Make the Process Easy to Get the Results You Deserve

323-524-9619

info@mkplawgroup.com

3701 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 870
Los Angeles, CA 90010

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Reviewed by

Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Updated December 12, 2024

Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Jordan W. Peagler, Esq.
Updated December 12, 2024