GET A FREE CONSULTATION

Preventing Dog Bite Attacks

Whenever a dog bites or attacks a person, serious injuries can result. In some instances, the bite victim may be able to hold the dog owner responsible for their injuries and damages.

If you or someone you love is the victim of a dog bite attack, you have legal options available to you. In addition to seeking prompt medical treatment after the incident, you should contact a knowledgeable Orange County dog bite lawyer in your area as soon as possible. Your attorney can review all of your legal options with you and determine your eligibility for filing a prompt claim.

Many homeowner insurance companies cover dog bite incidents. If you are eligible, your attorney can file a claim on your behalf and pursue favorable settlement compensation from the dog owner’s insurance company. If the insurer will not offer you the fair damages you deserve, your lawyer can threaten litigation, and if necessary, file a lawsuit for damages in the state court system.

Common Dog Bite Injuries 

Dangerous dogs cause serious injuries when they attack and bite people. Some dogs leave teeth marks on the victim’s body, as well as puncture wounds, deep lacerations, and scars. At other times – such as when a dog knocks an elderly person or small child to the ground – the victim may suffer soft tissue injuries and broken bones. All of these injuries may result in ongoing medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgical procedures, and physical therapy. Medical treatment can also prove costly if it continues for many weeks or months.

Ways to Prevent Dog Bites

There are some measures you can take to prevent against dog attacks. First, you should never approach a strange dog — even if the dog is on a leash. Although a passing dog may appear friendly and gentle, it may become easily angered if it feels frightened or threatened. Moreover, you should not trespass on others’ property where a dog might be present. Finally, you should never deliberately provoke or torment a dog, such as by throwing rocks at it or otherwise causing it to become angry.

Even when individuals exercise the upmost care, dog bites can still occur. When they do, you should contact a knowledgeable dog bite attorney in your area as soon as possible.

Strict Liability Law

When it comes to dog bites, California follows strict liability. This means that a dog owner may automatically become liable for dog bite incidents and injuries – even if their dog never showed vicious propensities before, and even if the dog never bit anyone previously.

Recovering Damages in a Dog Bite Claim

When a dog bite incident occurs and a victim suffers injuries, they may be able to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the dog owner for damages. The monetary damages that a bite victim recovers often depend upon the seriousness of their injuries, the extent of their medical treatment, and the cost of their treatment.

In many instances, a bite victim may require extensive medical procedures, including stitches and complicated surgeries. Moreover, the bite mark may leave severe scarring which causes the accident victim extreme humiliation or embarrassment. Fortunately, many of these damages are legally compensable.

Some of the most common damages the dog bite victims might recover include compensation for:

  • Related medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Humiliation
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Past and future pain and suffering
  • Emotional anguish
  • Loss of life enjoyment
  • Loss of use of a body part

Your attorney can help you determine which of these damages you are eligible to recover in your personal injury claim. Your lawyer will then do everything possible to help you maximize your damages and recover the highest amount of compensation available in your case.

Call an Experienced Dog Bite Attorney Today

If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a recent dog attack, it is important that you contact legal counsel right away. Your attorney can help you gather the documents necessary to file a successful personal injury claim. Those documents may include your related medical records and bills, lost wage statements, incident reports, and photographs of your injuries. Your lawyer can also file the claim on your behalf and negotiate with the insurance company adjuster for favorable settlement compensation. If the insurance company will not offer you the damages you need, your lawyer can file a lawsuit in the court system and litigate your case to a prompt conclusion. Your lawyer will do everything they can to help you maximize your damages and ensure that you become whole again, to the greatest extent possible, after a dog bite incident.