Dog bites are not uncommon, and nearly one in five people bitten by dogs need medical attention according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means that dog bite injuries, which can require expensive emergency treatment, can cost Americans millions of dollars in medical bills annually.
Whether you are a dog owner or a dog bite victim, there are legal options for you to consider. A Los Angeles Carthay Circle Park dog bite Lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you understand and explore all of your legal options. Call our offices now for a free case consultation: (800) 816-0755
About Dog Bite Risks and Complications
When dogs bite, there can be many different reasons why. Any dog can bite, regardless of age, sex, size, or temperament. For dogs, biting is an instinctive reaction to being scared, startled, or threatened. Although dogs may share some characteristics as a species, the way a dog behaves in stressful situations varies by individual factors like genetics, training, and environment.
Cost of Treating Dog Bites
The potential harm caused by a dog bite is well understood. When someone suffers an injury from a dog bite and seeks medical attention for it, the injuries range in severity, and may include any of the following:
- Puncture wounds
- Nerve injuries
- Broken bones
- Disease transmission
- Emotional damage
The list of injuries above is not exhaustive of all the reasons someone may need to seek medical treatment after a dog bite. Whether a dog bite victim only needs medical treatment once, over a short-term period, or long-term care for a chronic condition, this will certainly contribute to the overall cost. Based on data from the Insurance Information Institute, the cost of claims related to treatment for dog bite injuries is on the rise. “The average cost paid out for dog bite claims nationwide was $44, 760 in 2019 up from $39, 017 in 2018.” From 2003 to 2019, “the average cost per claim nationally has risen 134 percent.”
You will find the experience of working with a Los Angeles Carthay Circle Park dog bite lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm valuable for their obligation to protect and defend your rights as a victim or dog owner after a dog bite accident. Call our offices today for a free consultation with a member of our team.
Liability in a Dog Bite Accident
After a dog bite accident, dog owners and dog bite victims will have different experiences, based on where it happened, what caused the dog to bite, and the extent of injuries or damage. California is known for being one of the most strict states for dog bite legislation, since dogs do not get any chances to bite someone before an owner is liable for the injuries.
According to California Civil Code §3342, dog owners are “liable for damages suffered regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness.” This means that dog owners can be held liable for the full cost of injuries caused by their dogs from the first incident.
There are only a few exceptions to this rule, if, for example, the dog was assisting police or military work, or the victim was trespassing on private property. This rarely seems to be the case in dog bite lawsuits, with the Insurance Information Institute reporting $797 million paid out by homeowners insurance companies for dog bite injuries in 2019.
Reporting a Dog Bite Injury
You can report all dog bite injuries to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, which requires the dog to be quarantined and monitored for signs of bite-transmittable diseases like rabies, which all dogs in the county are required to be vaccinated against. Simply reporting a dog bite does not deem it as dangerous, since bites can be out of playfulness or in defense from being provoked by a victim. To report any animal as dangerous by the county, you must contact the local Animal Control for evaluation and assistance.
While the laws on dog bite injuries are straightforward, navigating the nuances of your unique case could be difficult. A lawyer can investigate on your behalf, keeping you informed in order to advise your best legal options.
For a free legal consultation with a Carthay Circle Park Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 816-0755
Get Legal Help for a Dog Bite Accident
After a dog bite accident, you should be more concerned with making a full recovery than holding liable parties accountable. You only have to worry about healing. A lawyer can fight on your behalf for a compensatory settlement, or in court if the case escalates beyond negotiations. Your potential financial award may cover damages like pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, rehabilitation, disfigurement, mental anguish, and more.
Consider working with a Los Angeles Carthay Circle Park dog bite lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a fighting chance at getting a fair compensation for your injuries, or a robust defense against a dog bite claim. Our lawyers can be your first point of contact, to help secure your quick and total recovery. You do not have to handle your case alone and should not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses for injuries you did not cause. A negligent party should pay for any necessary treatment you need. Let us do all the heavy lifting. Give us a call now for a free consultation about the potential of your legal case: (800) 816-0755.
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