If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, you do not need to cover all of the related medical expenses on your own. You can hold the person or the organization responsible for the dog accountable for not providing adequate supervision and containment or for bringing a dangerous dog to a dog park where it could injure someone. Filing a civil personal injury lawsuit is the most common way to seek compensation against the person who owned the dog or that had a responsibility to secure it.
If you want to schedule a free consultation with a Los Angeles Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park dog bite lawyer, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444. You do not have to file a civil personal injury lawsuit if you call to learn about your options, but you can discuss the details of what happened with a member of our legal team. The first call is free and completely confidential, and you can get your questions answered by our legal team before deciding what makes the most sense to do going forward.
Dog Bite Injuries
The injuries that you could suffer from a dog bite vary in severity based on the location of the dog bite and the type of dog that bites you. Some dog bite injuries that emergency room doctors treat are:
- Cuts
- Broken bones
- Scars
- Disfigurement
- Infections
- Nerve damage
Many other dog bite injuries are possible aside from those highlighted on this list. No matter what kind of injury you suffered from a dog bite, you have the right to hold the owner of the dog accountable for your medical expenses, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.
Prevalence of Dog Bites
Approximately one in 73 Americans is bitten by a dog each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that dogs tied up outside are more likely to bite than fenced dogs. This means that while it is possible to suffer a dog bite at a fenced-in dog park, you may be more likely to get bitten by a dog on your daily walk around your neighborhood if someone ties their dog to a tree to ensure it does not run off.
About a sixth of these dog bites require medical care. Even if dog bites are a major problem in the United States, you should not expect a dog to bite you. Dog owners have an obligation to protect other people from getting hurt by their dogs. According to the Scientific World Journal, dog bites, especially to your hand, are a major problem in this country that often require secondary medical treatment to overcome infections and other complications.
For a free legal consultation with a Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
The first thing to do after a dog bites you is to get the contact information of the dog’s owner, document the scene, if possible, and to seek medical treatment. This is especially important if the incident occurred at a dog park with a stranger’s dog. If you do not get their contact information and you do not know who they are, you may not be able to figure out who owned which dog later.
Calling the police or notifying a park and recreation staff member about the incident is another option that you can consider. For serious dog bites, it is what you should do. The police can document the scene and gather the needed information to start an investigation. Furthermore, the police dispatch can also send an ambulance to your location to immediately address your medical concerns and rush you to the hospital, if needed. For some dog bite injuries, this can make a big difference in the outcome.
Next, you should consider speaking with a Los Angeles Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park dog bite lawyer to discuss your case and any compensation for the injuries you suffered. Contact a representative of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.
Los Angeles Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer
Many dog bite victims decide to hire a lawyer to help them with the civil court process. Some reasons they hire a lawyer are:
- Access to someone with experience filing other dog bite cases in civil court.
- Having a lawyer work on building a case and filing motions while they focus on their recovery.
- Guidance about their legal options.
- Connections to community resources for victims and referrals.
These are just some of the reasons why you may want to consider working with a dog bite lawyer to represent you in your personal injury lawsuit. There are many other reasons why victims choose to work with a lawyer.
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Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for dog bite injuries in the state of California is the same as with other types of personal injuries. According to California Statute § 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the incident. While you could wait until the end of the time period to start the process, it is generally a better idea to start the process soon after the incident occurred. It is often easier to gather evidence, reliable witness testimony, and potential video surveillance the closer it is to when the event occurred. People are less likely to have moved and more likely to remember what happened.
Plus, there are potential delays within the legal system. It can take time to file the motions and to secure a court date. If something impacts the court’s schedule, your court date could be pushed back.
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Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a loved one is injured by someone’s dog, you could be entitled to compensation to cover the expenses of your injuries. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to speak with a member of our legal team. There is no cost for this initial consultation, and you can have all of your questions answered by a Los Angeles Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park dog bite lawyer before making any decisions on what to do next.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form