Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys, APC can help you if you’re injured after being bitten by a dog in Thousand Oaks. Everyone is vulnerable to injuries in a dog bite situation, but certain people are even more susceptible–none more so than people with disabilities. No matter what the circumstances are, our team will be there to help you and your family through the process. Set up a free consultation today.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
In California, people with disabilities have the same legal protections as anyone else when it comes to dog bite injuries. But making your way through that process can feel overwhelming–especially when the victim is someone that needs additional support or accommodations. You don’t have to hire a lawyer to file a claim, but having someone in your corner can take a lot of the pressure off by:
- Taking the time to really listen and understand what your loved one is going through
- Looking at where the system failed—whether it’s a careless dog owner, landlord, or someone else
- Explaining the legal process in plain language so you always know what’s next
- Gathering proof that strengthens the claim—medical documentation, photos, witness statements, anything that helps paint a clear picture
- Handling the back-and-forth with the insurance company so you don’t have to
When someone you care about is hurt—and already living with the challenges of a disability—you shouldn’t have to take on a legal battle alone. We’ll take care of the legal side so you can focus on recovery, safety, and support.
What Kinds of Injuries Can Happen When a Person with a Disability Is Bitten by a Dog?
For people living with disabilities–whether it’s physical, cognitive, sensory, or developmental–a dog bite isn’t just an injury. It can throw off routines, delay progress in therapy or rehabilitation, and make an already difficult living situation even harder to manage. Given the challenges of these cases in particular, injuries are often more serious and can be more complicated to treat:
- Bites to the face, arms, hands, or legs
- Infections or untreated wounds due to delayed recognition
- Broken bones, torn muscles, or nerve damage
- Scarring, vision loss, or disfigurement
- Emotional trauma that disrupts daily routines or progress in therapy
- In some tragic cases, fatal injuries
These injuries don’t happen in a vacuum. A bite injury could mean someone loses access to the care or independence they’ve worked hard to build. That’s what makes strong documentation—and a strong legal claim—so important. And that’s all about taking the right steps after the bite happens.
What Can You Do to Strengthen a Dog Bite Claim Involving a Person with a Disability?
If you or a loved one with a disability has been bitten by a dog in Thousand Oaks, the law is on your side—but it doesn’t work automatically. You’ll need to show not just that the bite happened, but how it affected the injured person’s life in the context of their disability. Here’s what can help strengthen the claim:
- Getting medical care immediately – Whether or not the injuries seem severe, make sure you or the person gets medical attention right away. Let providers know about any existing conditions or limitations. That context matters, both for treatment and for your claim.
- Finding the dog and its owner – Always try to get the owner’s name, address, and insurance info. If they refuse or leave the scene, report that too—it could become an important part of your case.
- Reporting the bite to authorities – Reporting the bite Ventura County Animal Services or the Thousand Oaks Police Department can be very important. An official report documents what happened and opens the door to a proper investigation.
- Save everything – Like any injury situation, visual evidence is incredibly important. Get photos of injuries, the location where the bite happened, and any torn clothing or assistive devices. Hold onto medical records, incident reports, therapy notes, or anything else that shows how the injury disrupted daily life.
- Track how life changes after the bite – Did the injury set back your physical recovery? Did it interfere with care routines, mobility, or communication? Whether it’s missed work, lost independence, or an increased need for caregiver support, these impacts matter legally and personally.
Dog bites can often be prevented, especially with a few simple precautions. People with disabilities–especially children–may need extra support to understand how to safely interact with dogs. Giving dogs space, avoiding them while they eat or sleep, and having supervision nearby can make a big difference. But again, once the bite happens and there’s injuries, the legal process becomes vital.
What Does the Legal Process Look Like When a Dog Bites Someone With a Disability?
When a dog bites someone in California–no matter who it is–the law is fairly straightforward in terms of who’s responsible: dog owners are strictly liable when their dog bites someone. That means they’re responsible even if the dog has never shown signs of aggression before. So, if you have a disability and you’re bitten or If you’re filing a claim on behalf of yourself or a loved one with a disability, the steps are generally the same:
- File an insurance claim against the dog owner’s homeowners or renters policy
- If that’s not enough—or the claim is denied—you can file a personal injury lawsuit
From there, the claim is focused on recovering “damages,” which might include:
- Medical bills, including specialized care or therapy
- Mobility equipment or assistive device replacements
- Lost income, including lost caregiving or work time
- Pain and emotional distress, especially where trauma affects mental health or routines
- Permanent disfigurement or disability-related setbacks
- Loss of independence or quality of life
- If the bite results in death, surviving family members may also recover for funeral costs and emotional loss.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the bite to file a claim. With that said, though if their disability makes it hard—or impossible—for them to understand or manage legal matters, the two-year deadline may be put on hold. That pause lasts as long as they’re legally considered unable to handle their own affairs.
But this isn’t automatic. You may need to show medical records or other proof of their condition, and insurance companies might challenge it. That’s why it’s important to get legal advice early from our experienced team.
Legal Help for Dog Bite Victims with Disabilities in Thousand Oaks
Living with a disability already requires strength, patience, and daily problem-solving. A dog bite shouldn’t undo that progress or add new barriers. Whether the injury happened at a park, in a neighborhood, or even in a care facility, Quirk Accident and Injury Attorneys is here to help make sure your rights are protected—and your recovery is put in the best possible position to succeed. Set up a free consultation today and get the process started.