Los Angeles is home to many dog owners and unfortunately some of those dogs are dangerous breeds. Sometimes the owner has a lack of control over their pet. When a dog attacks a person or a child, it can cause serious permanent injuries including scarring, disfigurement and nerve damage. These injuries can be life changing and expensive to treat. The law recognizes it’s unfair to put the burden on the victim. Letting them handle their medical bills on their own would not be in line with American justice. For this reason, dog owners are liable for their dog’s bites or attacks.
Oftentimes dog owners will try to escape liability, even blaming the victim. A good lawyer will collect evidence early including witness statements, medical records, video, images, and records from Animal Control. A lawyer will also look for sources of payment for those medical bills and compensation for how the victim’s life has changed.
Often the source of recovery is the homeowner insurance of the dog owner. Sometimes the homeowner insurance tries to get out of paying by citing an ambiguous or vague exclusions. A good attorney knows how to get around those exclusions or fight directly with the insurance company. I have also seen insurance companies intentionally delay the case to the victim’s detriment. A dog bite attorney knows about these traps and avoid them.
The court system itself is also rigged with traps to prevent justice to victims particularly in civil cases. Unexpected deadlines and unusual filing requirements can quickly derail your case. A good dog bite attorney knows how to avoid all these traps and get you the money you deserve.