Dog attacks and bites can be traumatic, especially if you are enjoying a nice day at a park, like Los Angeles Bellevue Recreation Center, and did nothing to provoke such an attack.
Dog attacks can lead to a number of injuries, some of which can be serious. Injuries seen with dog attacks can include fractures, puncture wounds, face injuries, head injuries, and eye injuries, among others.
Treating dog bites promptly and professionally is important. Otherwise, a victim risks serious infection. You should always have a dog bite checked by a doctor, as infection of a wound can cause further health complications and considerable medical expenses.
Not all injuries from a dog bite are physical. Dog attacks can potentially lead to severe emotional consequences for a victim, such as a lifelong fear of dogs. Compensation may be available for all of these types of injuries, whether physical or emotional.
If you suffered any injuries from a dog attack and dog bites, a Los Angeles Bellevue Recreation Center dog bite lawyer can advise you on whether you have legal recourse. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for further information at (800) 816-0755.
Liability for Dog Attack Injuries
In California, a dog owner is, by law, generally liable if their dog attacks and bites another person. California Civil Code section 3342(a) states “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
This means that dog owners generally have to compensate a victim, especially if the attack happened in a public park, such as Bellevue Recreation Center. However, there are exceptions to the dog owner’s liability, for example, if the victim was unlawfully trespassing on private property, the dog is used for law enforcement, or the victim is partly to blame for the attack.
If you are thinking of filing a personal injury lawsuit against a dog owner, they may try to argue that you were at least in part to blame for your injuries. This could reduce the amount of compensation you could receive. Hiring a Los Angeles Bellevue Recreation Center dog bite lawyer may help you prove the liability and fault of a dog owner.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today. We can determine whether you have a case for compensation.
Compensation Recoverable in Dog Attacks
In a personal injury case such as a dog attack, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages typically intend to reimburse the victim for any expenses they have already incurred, such as:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Transportation costs
- Costs of a home help
Non-economic damages can be more subjective as there are no dollar amounts or receipts to calculate them. You could receive compensation for non-economic damages such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of use of a limb or a sense
You could also potentially receive other compensatory damages with a personal injury lawsuit, and an attorney will be able to evaluate your claim and give you an estimate of what you are entitled to.
Acting quickly after a dog bite can be pivotal for recovering any compensation. If you intend to file a suit, bear in mind the two-year deadline for personal injury cases that has been set by the California statute of limitations. The statute generally bars you from pursuing legal action if your dog bite injury is older than two years.
Also, consider that it can be less challenging to build a case immediately after an attack as any evidence is usually easier to gather, and eyewitnesses still have a fresh memory of the attack. After a year or more has passed, it may be hard to track down witnesses as well as evidence.
Psychologically, acting in a timely manner can also help you move on quicker from what may have been a traumatic and upsetting experience. The sooner you act, the sooner you could receive compensation that could help you with any expensive treatments or reconstructive surgeries. There is no benefit in waiting, so contact a law firm today and find out about your next best steps.
For a free legal consultation with a Bellevue Recreation Center Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 816-0755
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help
Standing up against a dog owner can be a lot of work, and there are many laws applying to dog attacks. While it may be tempting to represent yourself, insurance companies and the defendant can take advantage of this and try to keep any settlements low. Having a Los Angeles Bellevue Recreation Center dog bite lawyer by your side can be helpful with your personal injury or wrongful death case.
How We Can Help with Your Case
Having professional legal help can not only give you peace of mind, but also take some time-consuming, yet important research and investigative work off your hands. Some ways in which we can help are:
- Answer your questions about the legal context of your case.
- Work on your case without charging upfront attorney’s fees.
- Collect evidence needed to strengthen your case.
- Collect eye witness statements.
- Hire expert witnesses to help prove your case.
- Negotiate with and stand up to insurance companies.
- Represent your best interests and fight for you in court.
If you want to find out more about how we can help you get justice and compensation for your injuries and suffering due to a dog attack, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form