Los Angeles 
Dog Bite Attorney

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:

Lacerations

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.

Punctures

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.

Abrasions

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. 

Infections

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.

Rabies

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.

Tetanus

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.

Crushing Injuries

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.

Avulsion

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.

Who is responsible for a dog bite injury?

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.

What should I do if I was attacked by a dog?

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.

1. Assess the Damage

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.

2. Get Information About the Dog and Owner

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.

3. Seek Medical Attention

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.

4. Contact a Dog Bite Attorney

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.

Will a Dog Bite Lawyer Report the Dog Bite?

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.

How Long Does it Take for a Dog Bite Lawyer to Get Results?

The time it takes for a dog bite lawyer to get the case resolved varies. Some of the factors include:

• The extent of the injury
• Whether the injuries have healed or have ongoing issues
• The extent of lost earnings and what that’s going happen in the future
• Whether there’s any dispute including if there’s a dispute about who owns the dog
• Whether there is a dispute about what the victim was doing at the time of the incident

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.