Dog bites and animal attacks can inflict excruciating pain, causing grave injuries, and resulting in permanent disfigurement, scarring, and even extreme emotional trauma. Often it requires serious medical treatment for possible infections such as rabies, and medical care can be expensive If you or a loved one suffers injury from a dog bite or attack, contact the LA Injury Group at (818) 240-1800 to know what are your options. Our Los Angeles expert dog bite injury lawyers will provide you with the best coverage of representation to ensure you’ll get maximum compensation and protected rights.
A dog regardless of its size, age, breed, and sex will bite under different circumstances. Even the cutest, sweetest, and cuddliest pets will attack or bite if provoked.
Dogs will bite as a reaction to something that makes them uncomfortable. If it finds itself in a stressful situation, it will retaliate and bite as a defense.
They will bite because something or someone’s presence frightens them. It’s their reaction to protect something that’s important such as food or toy, especially their young ones or territory.
Another reason why dogs bite is because they don’t feel well. They could be sick or in pain due to injury or illness and want to be left alone.
Dogs might also gnaw and bite while at play. While it’s fun for dogs to gnaw, this behavior can be dangerous for people, especially children. It would be best not to play tug-of-war or wrestle with your dog. Activities such as these can make your pet canine too much excited, which can result in gnawing or even biting.
Additionally, the animal will behave badly if the owner isn’t responsible enough to provide proper care for his pet, such as lack of medical care, abuse, or maltreatment that results in a dangerous dog.
According to Civil Code section 3342, dog owners are responsible for dog bite injuries that happen in public or on private property where the victim has the legal right to be. The state strictly holds pet owners to be liable for dog bites.
Generally, these animal owners should compensate dog bite victims even if their pets didn’t demonstrate previous signs of hostility. However, there are a few exceptions to a pet owner’s accountability based on the California dog bite law. It includes:
If you’re a dog bite victim and seeking compensation, you need to be in public or lawfully on private property to use California dog bite law. A public place is anywhere that the general public can access, including sidewalks, parks, stores, markets, and malls during business hours.
Likewise, you can also seek damages even if you’re on private property if you received an invitation from the property owner. Also, you can file a claim if you’re doing a legal duty instructed by state or federal law, like if you’re a:
Moreover, invitations to come over can be implied or expressed, and restricted to some sections of the house or property. Those who strayed beyond the confines of the invitation can become a trespasser.
The financial aspect is the number one reason why you must file a claim against the pet owner for the dog bite injuries you or your loved one suffers. In a personal injury case, the law states that dog owners can’t dispute that:
Moreover, the pet owner is only strictly responsible if:
A dog bite can inflict wounds and may cause complications from the injuries. It includes:
A dog bite injury can cause a lot of damage to the victim. Here are some to name a few:
Medical Bills. Initially, when you suffer dog bites, immediate treatment is crucial for your injury and recovery, which is costly. You might get higher compensation if you don’t have a pre-existing condition. Our Los Angeles expert dog bite injury attorneys can help maximize your compensation and ensure that you’ll get the amount you deserve.
Loss of Income. You will lose income if you need to miss work. If you don’t have an income, you won't have money to pay for your overheads.
Property Damage. This pertains to personal property such as eyeglasses, a phone, a watch, or a bicycle due to a dog attack or bite.
Pain and Suffering. A dog bite can cause extreme pain not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. It’s a traumatic experience that can cause anxiety, insomnia, or even fear of dogs (cynophobia.)
Multiple or Punitive Damages. The court awards this damage to the victim when the dog owner is extremely careless and irresponsible for his dog’s behavior.
Don’t hesitate to call our skilled Los Angeles dog bite injury lawyer for help. We’re always here for you.
An attack or bite from animals such as dogs is a traumatic experience — physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Our compassionate Los Angeles animal attack and dog bite injury attorneys will help rectify this.
We work harder and more efficiently to ensure that we will establish a successful case The LA Injury Group works on a contingency fee basis meaning you don’t have to pay us unless we win a settlement for you.
We’re just a phone call away to help you seek justice and recover damages. Call (818) 240-1800 to schedule a free case consultation.