If a police dog bites you in California, it is critical to take action properly. First, prioritize getting care for your wounds and getting out of further harm’s way. In these situations, it is imperative not to continue to flee as these dogs are highly trained to cause harm. Instead, follow the police officer’s directions. A San Diego dog bite lawyer can assist with your claim.
Know Your Rights After a Dog Bite in California
After a dog bite by a police dog in California, it is imperative that you take steps to protect your rights. No matter if the dog was acting in a work capacity or not, what you do next can be critical to protecting your rights.
- Seek medical attention immediately. These injuries can be severe. They often include torn muscles and tissues, infection risks, and puncture wounds.
- Document your injuries and the accident scene. This includes taking photos of what happened, documenting your injuries, and photographing the surrounding area to show where the incident occurred.
- Ask witnesses to provide you with information about what they saw and experienced. Ask for their contact information.
- File a police report. This police report should provide facts about what happened, what led up to the bite, and what happened after. You have the right to have your injuries and the incident properly recorded.
Because of the complexity of these cases, it is always wise to work directly with a California dog bite attorney. Your attorney will help you to seek legal action against all parties at fault to the level allowed under the law. These are far more challenging cases.
Understanding Your Rights to Sue for a Police Dog Bite in California
There are situations that allow you to seek a claim against the police in situations where you suffer injuries from the negligent behavior of the police. Under California’s laws, you can seek damages, and you must prove one of the following occurred:
- The police used excessive force. The dog was not appropriate for the situation. The police dog’s attack on you was unnecessary.
- Negligence occurred. The dog’s handler did not properly control the dog. This led to the dog bite.
- Your rights were violated in the accident. This may be related to an unlawful arrest or an unreasonable seizure, for example.
With the help of a dog bite attorney in California, you will have a better opportunity to demonstrate that excessive force or unreasonable actions led to this dog bite. It is always wise to consult an attorney to discuss your legal strategy.
Filing a claim against a police officer for the use of excessive force falls under Section 1983 of the U.S. Code, the federal statute that governs your civil rights. It may be possible to gather evidence that demonstrates that your rights were violated and, as a result, to seek compensation against those at fault for your losses.
Getting Legal Guidance Matters
The details of your case will ultimately determine if you can seek a legal claim if a police dog bites you in California. While these are challenging cases, if we can prove that your rights were violated or negligence occurred, you may be able to seek financial compensation for the losses you suffered that were unfair to you. Request a free consultation from an attorney to learn more.