Dog bites can be a serious threat to your safety and your health. Even if the bite, itself, did not produce severe injuries, it can lead to dangerous infections or diseases. In addition, many dog bite injuries require medical attention, which can lead to costly medical bills. Many dog bite victims also experience scarring that can impact their quality of life, especially if the bite is on their face.
If you or a loved one recently suffered a dog bite injury while in Alvarado Terrace Park, you have the right to hold the dog owner responsible for your losses, and you do not have to figure it out on your own.
A Los Angeles Alvarado Terrace Park dog bite lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to build a strong case and pursue a fair settlement for your injuries.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has worked on many cases like these, and we are proud of our results. Our clients understand that they get immediate access to our network of experts and that they never have to pay out-of-pocket for our services. We get paid if we succeed with your case, which means we take on all the risk. You have nothing to lose; contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Some common types of injuries that can occur after a dog bite or dog attack include:
- Lacerations and puncture wounds: Deep cuts and skin tearing are common injuries caused by the dog’s strong jaw and teeth. These injuries often cause severe bleeding and extensive scarring. Puncture wounds can also occur. Though these wounds bleed less, they can damage underlying tissue, muscle, and even internal organs.
- Infection and disease: Even if the bite does not cause serious wounds, the bacteria in the dog’s mouth can lead to dangerous, life-threatening infections or disease. It is important to see a medical professional after a bite, as they may want to give you a tetanus shot or another type of treatment to prevent disease and infection.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: The mental trauma that accompanies dog attacks can also have long-lasting repercussions, causing the victim to relive the experience in vivid detail during waking hours or be fearful of dogs for years or decades to come.
Understanding How California Law Impacts Dog Bite Claims
When dealing with dog bite injuries, the California statute of limitations and the dog bite liability statute are two laws that you should know.
According to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years from the date of the injury to pursue compensation for your losses. If you do not file your claim within two years, the courts typically bar you from recovery.
Acting fast ensures you never have to worry about the statute of limitations. It also makes it easier to collect evidence for your case, since the memories of eyewitnesses can fade.
Under California’s dog bite liability statute, California Civil Code § 3342, the dog owner is automatically liable for any injuries that the dog causes, as long as:
- The victim was in a public place at the time of the injury or lawfully on private property
- The victim did not in any way provoke the animal
Sometimes defense lawyers try to claim that a victim taunted or teased the dog into biting. You may need to gather statements from others who were in Alvarado Terrace Park, who can confirm that you did not provoke the animal in any way. A Los Angeles Alvarado Terrace Park dog bite lawyer can help you with this process and defend you against underhanded defense tactics like these.
For a free legal consultation with a Alvarado Terrace Park Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 816-0755
Common Types of Awards Victims Recover After Dog Bite Injuries
The types of awards that victims recover depend entirely on the severity of their injuries and the extent of their financial losses. While we cannot estimate your awards without first reviewing your case, some common types of recoverable awards include, but are not limited to:
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Future wages, if your earning potential is lost or diminished
- Hospitalization
- Medication
- Surgical procedures
- Doctor’s examinations
While dog bite victims can usually recover from their injuries, sadly, the dog attack or complications stemming from the bite can be fatal. If this happened to your family, you may recover awards in a wrongful death lawsuit. Some types of recoverable awards for this type of claim include:
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs related to caring for the victim before their death
- Loss of consortium
- Wages and benefits the deceased once provided
- Loss of support and protection
Los Angeles Alvarado Terrace Park Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
How a Los Angeles Alvarado Terrace Park Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm knows how overwhelming pursuing awards after a dog bite or dog attack can be. You may just want to put the entire experience behind you and go on with your life. However, if you suffered financial losses or physical or emotional injuries as a result of a dog attack, you have the right to hold the dog owner responsible for those losses.
Some specific ways we can help are:
- Gathering evidence related to your case, including eyewitness statements and police reports, if they are available
- Collecting bills, receipts, and statements from medical professionals to calculate the full value of your case, including the cost of your pain and suffering
- Negotiate with the insurance company or defendant’s lawyer pursuing a fair settlement for your case
For a free, no-risk review of your case to find out what your options are after a dog bite or dog attack, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form