Phillips Personal Injury, local Nevada County Dog Bite lawyer
AVVO Rated "10" Superb & "Clients' Choice" / Better Business Bureau A+ Rating / National Trial Lawyers Top 100
It’s not uncommon for people to hesitate before deciding to call an injury lawyer after being bitten by a dog. Maybe they don’t know if their injuries are serious enough, or maybe worries about their relationship with the animal owner who happens to be a neighbor. But speaking to a dog bite attorney can help you evaluate your options and understand your rights. Since every case has unique facts and circumstances, we’d be glad to discuss the specific details of your dog bite case and any specific questions you have. We invite you to give us a call at 530-265-0186 for a no charge consultation.
Why You Need a Nevada County Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bite attorney Michael Phillips and the legal team at the Phillips Law Offices are committed to helping Northern Californians injured by dangerous dogs. Our committed advocacy on behalf of clients to obtain full and fair compensation have helped our clients move forward after serious injuries.
Lets be real, insurance companies are not on your side. The less money they hand you, the more money they make. If an adjuster betrays your trust, if they shortchange you, if they rub salt in your wounds, they don't get reprimanded. They get rewarded.
No matter what the commercials say, and no matter how endearing the adjuster on the phone may appear, it is their job to shortchange you. I've never met an adjuster or insurance defense lawyer who wears a white apron and a name tag. There is no such device as a "name your price tool." Their real tools are weapons: databases, delay tactics, lies & confusion.
At the Phillips Law Offices we’re on your side and we treat our clients like family, not claim numbers. We are experienced and knowledgeable in fighting for our clients injured in dog attacks. Right from the start we will review the details of your injuries from a dog attack and discuss your legal options free of charge. When you retain us, we will put our attorneys, investigators and medical experts to work to understand how the dog attack occurred and the full extent of your injuries. We will submit a dog injury claim to the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurer or commercial insurer and negotiate for maximum compensation for your injuries, for full and fair compensation.
At the Phillips Law Offices, we handle your dog bite claim on a contingent fee basis. That means there is no upfront cost to you unless we win your case by settlement or jury verdict. We are aggressive and proactive, preparing each case as if it were going to trial. This gives us the best opportunity to obtain full and fair compensation. The law is clear: if you have sustained a serious dog bite injury from a dangerous dog, you may have legal options to seek compensation. Call us today at 530-265-0186 to learn how we may help you and your family.
We are proud of our law firm’s record of seeking justice for Californians who have been injured through no fault of their own. Our dog bite injury attorneys at the Phillips Law Offices represent clients in the Sierra Foothills, greater Sacramento area and throughout Northern California.
What Makes Us Different...Your Internet Connection Is All You Need
We Are Your Internet Based Personal Injury Firm. Is it inconvenient for you to drive to a law firm? Meet Michael Phillips, personal injury attorney and founder of Phillips Law Offices. We serve clients in northern California, including all of Nevada County. By leveraging technology, our clients can work seamlessly with their attorney from anywhere when it is convenient to them. Now, a great personal injury attorney is never more than a mouse-click away. Start by consulting with us by Zoom to get your questions answered fast!
Since our founding, we have operated as a remote, web-based networked team, so that is nothing new for us. We are your online personal injury web based law firm. We serve clients in the “Gold Country” and greater Sacramento region to the Oregon border:
-Unlimited Video Access to Your Attorney from Your Home or Office
-24/7 Secure Access to Your File Online
-“Bank Grade” Secure Message Center ( safer than email!)
-Seamless Online Experience
-Direct Attorney Contact (not staff)
-Responsive Injury Lawyer (same day contact)
-Self Schedule Appointments
-Fee Transparency
Not sure if you have a case? Are friends and family telling you to call a lawyer? Are you starting to be suspicious about the insurance adjuster you’re dealing with? We offer free, no obligation consultations. Have questions? We are happy to talk with you about your situation and your concerns, and how we can help you though this challenging process. It’s easy. Just give us a call.
Actions to Take Immediately After a Nevada County Dog Bite Or Attack
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, there are several important steps you must take to ensure your physical recovery as well as protect your future legal claims. These steps include: Identify the dog, seek medical attention, report the bite, identify the owner, take photos, call Michael Phillips, dog bite injury attorney 530-265-0186
Identify the Dog
The most important first step you can take after a dog bite is to identify the dog. Find out who owns the dog or where the animal lives. Try your best to take a mental picture of the dog. If the dog bit and ran away it is very likely a stray.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention. Even if the bite appears minor it is important to get it checked out. When skin is broken by a dog bite it is very likely to become infected. Depending on the severity of the bite, contact 911 or have someone drive you to an emergency room.
Treat the Wound
If you do treat the wound at home immediately wash the wound with mild soap and clean water. There are various bacteria in the mouths of dogs, which can cause harmful infections. Washing the dog bite is the best way to get rid of dog saliva and harmful bacteria from near the wound.
The Cleveland Clinic recommends these 7 steps: Press on the wound gently to cause some bleeding to help flush out as much bacteria as possible. Wash the wound with mild soap and water. Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth. Apply over-the counter antibiotic cream if you have it. Wrap the wound in a sterile bandage. Keep the wound bandaged and see your doctor. Change the bandage several times a day once your doctor has examined the wound. Watch for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, increased pain and fever.
Report the Bite
Report the bite to your local health department. If the dog is a stray and you cannot identify it, you may be forced to undergo a series of rabies shots, which are expensive and painful. Report the dog bite to your local animal control office and the police.
Identify the Owner
Identify the owner by gathering information. Obtain the name and address of the dog owner, in addition to the dog license information. Find out if the has a past history or record or any other bites. If the owner is identified then you are very likely entitled to compensation because of the dog bite law. Identification of the owner will also protect you in testing the dog for rabies so that you do not have to endure the rabies vaccine. A rabies vaccination can be expensive, time consuming, and painful. If you can get the dog tested for rabies, you can avoid treatment.
Take Photographs
Take photographs of the injuries caused by the dog bite as soon as you can. You will also want to document the extent of your injuries. It is also a good idea to write down word for word how the accident occurred. This preserves a record of events that can be forgotten or clouded over time.
Phillips Law Offices - Dog Bite Injury Attorney
Consult a Nevada County dog bite lawyer at the Phillips Law Offices as soon as possible. Dog bite laws are complex and hard to understand. We can will help you sort out the complexities of your case and get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and other out of pocket expenses relating to the injury. Time is of the essence and we can immediately assist in identifying the owner and the dog involved.
Dog Bite Frequently-Asked Questions
Dog bites often happen very quickly and are unexpected. Most dog bites happen unexpectedly because many people are unaware of the dog’s body language. The Center for Disease Control reports that every year approximately 4.7 million people are bit in the United States. If you have questions about dog bites and injury claims we invite you to contact us. We are dog bite injury lawyers serving all of Northern CA. We do not charge for the initial consultation and are happy to answer any dog bite questions you may have. 530-265-0186