Newport Beach Police Dog Bite Lawyer

Newport Beach Police Dog Bite Attorney

K-9s are a powerful yet dangerous law enforcement tool. Their intensive training allows them to help track and subdue persons of interest, detect explosives and other illegal substances, and even conduct crowd control. However, when their strength is misused, it can cause serious harm to an individual. If you have been unlawfully hurt by a K-9, a Newport Beach police dog bite lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Police Dog Bite

Call Greg Peacock Law today at
(949) 292-7478 for your Free Consultation!

Free Consultation!

Why Choose Us?

At Greg Peacock Law, years of experience are met with personalized attention and care for each client. We are solely dedicated to handling police misconduct cases and are ready to hold law enforcement accountable for K-9 misuse. In fact, in one recent case, we won $750,000 in compensation for a client who had suffered an excessive force dog bite.

The Dangers of Police Dog Bites

Injuries caused by a police dog are often more serious than a bite from a regular dog due to their training and the breeds chosen for their speed and strength. Their bite force can be over 4,000 pounds per square inch, sending over 3,500 people to the ER each year in the United States. Some common injuries include:

• Puncture wounds that can cause nerve, muscle, or bone damage
• Crush injuries from compressing skin, bone, and muscle tissue
• Infections, such as sepsis
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Anxiety, PTSD, and other psychological disorders

Filing a Police Dog Bite Claim

Filing a claim for a police dog bite can be done if the use of force was excessive for the situation, if the attack occurred due to a police officer’s negligence towards the dog, or if it violated your rights, such as if it occurred without a valid reason. Working with a knowledgeable Newport Beach police dog bite attorney is crucial to building a case that proves police misconduct.

The use of a trained K-9 is legal if its level of force is justified, but many damages still occur through unlawful attacks. By filing a police misconduct claim, you could receive compensation for the damages that the police dog attack caused, such as:

• Medical costs. Injuries sustained after a K-9 attack often require extensive treatment. Costs, including hospital visits, medications, and rehabilitation, could all be included in your compensation.
• Lost wages. The injuries and recovery from an attack often lead victims to miss work. You may be compensated for the wages lost during your recovery or for the inability to work after the attack due to permanent disability.
• Personal property. Often, personal property can be damaged during an attack, such as clothing, electronics, or glasses. The cost to repair or replace these belongings could be included in your compensation.
• Pain and emotional trauma. A K-9 attack is traumatic, leading to the pain of physical injuries and lasting psychological effects. These factors can lower your quality of life and impact your personal and professional future. The severity and extent of the pain and emotional damage are considered by your lawyer when calculating compensation.

Why Hire a Police Dog Bite Lawyer?

With 53 active K-9 teams in California, laws are designed to protect officers and their use of police dogs. This makes police dog bite cases uniquely challenging. K-9 cases require an intimate knowledge of dog bite laws and a relentless push for law enforcement liability. A police dog bite attorney can:

• Explain police dog bite laws. Building a strong police misconduct case is complex, requiring a nuanced understanding of police dog bite laws. Your lawyer can build a defense that challenges the legality of police actions to bring you compensation.
• Gather and examine evidence. Your lawyer can scrutinize evidence such as witness statements, camera footage, and the police report to prove excessive brutality or other misuse of a K-9 by an officer.
• Advocate for you. Facing law enforcement in court can be an uncomfortable and difficult experience. Your lawyer can stand up for your rights and advocate for your case. If you hire a police dog bite lawyer, they can help you navigate it can relieve your stress, and lead to better outcomes.

FAQs

Q: Can I Still File a Claim if the Bite Happened During an Arrest?

A: Yes, even if you were being arrested, unlawful use of a K-9 could warrant filing a claim. If you were not an immediate threat to an officer during the arrest but were still attacked by a police dog, you can file a claim for misuse. If the force used was excessive, that could also be used to file a claim.

Q: Who Do I File a Claim Against for a Police Dog Bite?

A: In Newport Beach, a police dog bite claim is usually filed against the police department rather than the individual officer. In many instances, this means that it will be filed against the Newport Beach Police Department, but this can vary depending on whether the attack involved county or state officers.

Q: Can I Be Compensated for Emotional Distress or PTSD From a Police Dog Bite?

A: Yes, it is possible to be compensated for emotional distress or PTSD from a police dog bite. Police dog bites often leave victims with emotional trauma and lead to psychological disorders. In many cases, these effects are included as damages. Your lawyer can work to include this type of compensation in your case.

Q: How Soon Should I Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer?

A: Contact a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer is the most important source of advice. They can guide you through the investigation to protect your rights, prevent self-incrimination, and begin gathering evidence to build a strong case. Additionally, you only have six months from the date of the attack to file a claim against law enforcement, so acting fast is essential.

Speak With a Police Dog Bite Lawyer Today

After experiencing a K-9 attack, filing a police misconduct claim can be daunting. You don’t have to act alone. With experience in K-9 bites and a passion for holding law enforcement accountable for misconduct, Greg Peacock Law is ready to pursue justice. Contact us today to learn how an experienced police dog bite attorney can get you the compensation you deserve after suffering an attack.