Free case Evaluation
(888) 825-1603
If You Have Suffered A Dog Bite Or Attack, We Can Help You Get The Compensation You Deserve
Each year, about 800,000 people in the United States will seek medical attention for a dog bite, and about half of these will be children. These attacks can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries. Even the best-trained dogs might attack, particularly if they feel scared or threatened. If you or a loved one has suffered from a dog bite, you should seek medical assistance right away and then reach out to an experienced Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney to help get the compensation you deserve.
Dog bite injuries can range from a minor scratch to something much more serious (even fatal) such as an infection or damage to a major artery. Since a dog’s mouth carries over 400 kinds of bacteria, even a very minor dog bite should be medically treated in order to avoid infection.
Some of the most common dog bite injuries include:
A laceration is a deep cut or tears in the skin. These go further than skin deep and also impact the muscle, blood vessels, and other tissue.
A puncture happens in a dog bite attack when one or more of the dog’s teeth pierces through the skin. While these may be less severe than lacerations, they can still be deep and have serious consequences.
An abrasion is a cut or scratch that doesn’t go deeper than the skin. These injuries likely won’t have a lot of bleeding, but can still cause scarring or potentially infection if not treated appropriately.
Most infections caused by dog bites are due to the bacteria in a dog’s mouth, but they can also be caused by germs on the skin or present elsewhere when the attack occurred or afterward when the wound is still fresh.
The most severe infection you could get from a dog bite is rabies. While most pet owners are responsible and make sure their dogs are up to date on rabies vaccinations, not everyone will keep on top of this. If a dog is not up to date on its rabies shots, or if you are unsure, you should seek emergency medical attention to prevent rabies from developing.
While not as common as rabies, tetanus can sometimes develop as a result of a dog bite. This is usually not due to the bacteria in the dog’s mouth, but usually from something present on the skin of the victim, or in the surrounding area.
Dogs, particularly large dogs, have incredibly strong jaws that have the ability to crush bones, tissue, and organs. Unfortunately dogs even have the strength to crush a skull of an infant or small child.
An avulsion is the ripping or tearing of the flesh. If a dog bites down and tears it’s head away, it could rip away skin and other tissue, causing severe damage and will generally need reconstructive surgery.
California is considered a strict liability state. This means that if someone has been attacked by a dog, they do not need to prove that the owner was negligent in order to receive compensation. A dog owner in Los Angeles assumes all responsibility for the actions of their pet, even if they are unaware that their dog might be aggressive.
If you or someone near you has been attacked by a dog, your very first priority needs to be the health and safety of whoever was bitten. There are a few steps you should take following a dog bite.
If the wound is deep, if there is a lot of blood, or if it appears a bone or organ has been damaged, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY. If the wound is less severe, be sure to thoroughly clean it and apply dressings to the wound to slow the bleeding. Take a good look at the injury and determine what type of medical assistance may be needed. Also be sure to take pictures of the injuries and of the scene of the incident.
Whether or not you personally know the dog and the owner, you should collect information about them as soon as possible. Write down the owner’s name, contact information, insurance information, etc. Also, make sure to find out about the dog’s medical history (primarily vaccination details) and whether they have a history of aggressive behavior.
Even the most minor dog bite injuries require medical attention because the risk of infection (including rabies and tetanus) are extremely high. When speaking with medical professionals, make sure to give them as many details about the attack as possible. This includes the circumstances in which it happened, the location it happened, and all of the medical information you have about the dog.
Dog attacks can leave someone dealing with expensive medical bills, scarring and disfigurement, severe pain, long-lasting medical issues, and even lost wages and earning potential. If the attack was due to someone’s actions or negligence, you might deserve compensation, and a dog bite attorney will be able to help.
Yes. A dog bite lawyer can help you report the dog attack or bite to the necessary authorities including animal control and the police if necessary. It is helpful and generally a good idea to consult with the dog bite lawyer before filing these reports because anything you put in them can be used against you in your case.
For example, if you put in the animal control report that you suffered no injuries because you’re feeling fine but you did have some physical and ongoing psychological injuries – your statement will be used against you. Sometimes people say that they don’t have injuries because of adrenaline or they are still in shock from the dog bite.
The time it takes for a dog bite lawyer to get the case resolved varies. Some of the factors include:
For example, the case can take longer if the dog owner claims that the victim was taunting or doing something to provoke the dog. A dog bite lawyer will want to take the owner’s deposition to find out out the basis for their claim.
Usually, it takes a few months before a case is settled because the bog bite lawyer wants to make sure that all your treatment has been properly evaluated and understood before negotiating. It also takes some time to negotiate with the insurance company. On the other hand, a dog bite lawsuit can take a year and a half to two years or more if there are a lot of issues in the case that need to be litigated or investigated.
A dog bite injury can be devastating to you and your loved ones. If you are out of work and have medical bills piling up, a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney can help you get the relief you need and the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite, contact me right away. I help clients all throughout the city of Los Angeles. I can help you too.
Start with a free
consultation.
The other party will accept,
reject or counteroffer.
Each party submits evidence
that will be used in trial.
If a settlement cannot be
reached, we go to trial.
Gather all evidence needed to
substantiate your claim.
If the other party lowballs or
refuses to pay, we go to court.
An informal proceeding to see if
parties can settle before trial.
Start with a free
consultation.
Gather all evidence needed to
substantiate your claim.
The other party will accept,
reject or counteroffer.
If the other party lowballs or
refuses to pay, we go to court.
Each party submits evidence
that will be used in trial.
An informal proceeding to see if
parties can settle before trial.
If a settlement cannot be
reached, we go to trial.
Car
Accidents
Child
Injuries
Dog
Bites
Motorcycle
Accidents
Nursing
Home Abuse
Personal
Injury
Permises
Liability Claims
Truck
Accidents
Wrongful
Death
settlement for spinal injuries due to car collision.
settlement for spinal injuries after car collision.
jury award for car accident collision case in Los Angeles, CA.
You should always seek medical attention if you have been attacked or bitten by a dog. Even if the injury seems minor, infections are some of the most serious implications of a dog bite, and a doctor will be able to make sure you are protected.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, there are some things you should keep an eye out for. If the wound will not stop bleeding, if there is redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, these are all signs of infection and mean that you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
It is always worth it to contact a dog bite attorney if you have been attacked by a dog. An experienced lawyer will be able to assess your case and help you determine if you deserve compensation, as well as advise you on the steps you need to take to get that compensation.
A dog bite lawyer is a lawyer with education and experience in handling animal attacks. A dog bite lawyer also has an understanding of animal attack common injuries and which medical providers can best help. You want to make sure that the lawyer is licensed in the state where the attack occurred. The law can be a little bit complicated on that issue but again best to consult with a lawyer.
Yes. Even if you have health insurance you’ll likely have to pay some co-pays, deductible or other money out of pocket. The dog bite lawyer can ensure that you get those medical bills paid recovery for your co-pays and money for future medical treatment. For example, if you need a future reconstructive surgery you want to make sure any settlement considers that future expense.
Yes. Ideally, you would start by getting medical treatment. Your medical provider should give you a note confirming that you should not go to work. Then your dog bite lawyer would use the doctor’s note when negotiating your case. Also, your dog bite lawyer would use your employment records to confirm the amount of money you’re making and the days missed. This would then be submitted to the dog owner or the dog owner’s insurance. If this evidence would be presented at trial.
Yes, if the case is not able to be resolved before filing a lawsuit through negotiation then the next step would be that the Dog Bite lawyer file a lawsuit against the dog owner. Even if the dog owner has insurance the lawsuit is directly against the dog owner and the insurance company steps in to hire lawyers and defend the dog owner.
It’s advisable to hire or at least consult with a dog bite lawyer because there are traps and pitfalls that you want to avoid. For example, there are deadlines to file cases and it changes depending on who the defendant is. Also, a dog bite lawyer knows common defense arguments and how to avoid them. For example, if you delay in getting treatment or fail to report the dog bite, the defense attorney will use that against you. What you put in a dog bite report can be used against you.
For these reasons, it’s better to have a dog bite lawyer involved early on and taking the steps necessary to maximize the recovery in your case.
Finally, most dog bite lawyers work on a contingency basis which means you don’t have to pay them any money up front and they get a percentage at the end. In other words, there’s really no downside in at least consulting with the dog bite attorney.
If you’ve been involved in a serious accident, you are likely feeling overwhelmed. You may be unsure of what to do. We can help you understand your options and determine your next steps.
