De Garmo Park in Sun Valley and other Los Angeles County parks are a great place for people and pets to get together. However, some dog owners do not exercise proper care to prevent others from injury.
Your first action after any dog bite should be to seek medical care. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need surgery, antibiotics, and other treatment. Be sure to keep all receipts and bills, because you can hold dog owners accountable for your injuries and damages.
Once your situation allows, you might want to speak to a Los Angeles De Garmo Park dog bite lawyer who can help you recover damages. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to speak with a member of our firm about your legal rights and options and receive a free, no-obligation case review.
What a Dog Bite Lawyer Does
A dog bite lawyer lifts the burden of pursuing compensation off your shoulders so you can rest and recover from your injuries. They can preserve your rights and seek compensation on your behalf.
The lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm investigate dog bite cases to uncover valuable information, including:
- The extent of your injuries and if you need future medical treatment.
- Proof of negligence by the dog’s owner.
- Your prognosis for returning to work and daily life.
We can serve as your legal advocate throughout this process.
How to Recover Compensation
You may qualify for compensation for damages after getting bitten by a dog at De Garmo Park under CIV § 3342.
This statute states that “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…” If you were bitten at De Garmo Park or any other public or private place where you had the right to be, you could recover compensation for medical bills and other losses.
There are a few options for recovering compensation:
- File a claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s or liability insurance.
- File a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner and any other parties who contributed to your injuries.
A lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can represent you in negotiations with the insurance company or argue your case in court.
For a free legal consultation with a De Garmo Park Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 816-0755
Proving Negligence in a Dog Bite Case
California applies strict liability when it comes to dog bites. Unlike some states, you do not have to prove that the dog had an aggressive history or bit other people prior to attacking you at De Garmo Park.
However, if the dog did not bite you during the attack, you may have still suffered scratches or other injuries. A lawyer familiar with state and county statutes can evaluate your case to determine that required elements for a personal injury lawsuit exist, including:
- Establish that the dog’s owner owed you a duty of care to use reasonable measures to prevent you from being attacked.
- Show how the dog owner breached this duty of care.
- This negligence caused you to suffer injury from the attack.
- You now have damages, both financial and emotional, because of this negligence.
Los Angeles De Garmo Park Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
Liability in a Dog Bite Case
A Los Angeles De Garmo Park dog bite lawyer can help you identify the dog’s legal owner, but there may be other liable parties for your injuries.
These include:
- Dog walkers
- Dog handlers
- Dog trainers
Other Factors in a Dog Bite Case
Other factors in a dog bite case that may affect compensation include:
- CIV § 3342 only applies to dog bites and not to scratches or being knocked down in an attack.
- The code applies to dogs only and not for any other type of domesticated pet.
- The dog that bit you cannot be a police or military dog performing its duty for law enforcement or other official business.
You also must file a personal injury lawsuit within the statute of limitations per CCP § 335.1, which is two years from the date you were injured.
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Recoverable Damages in a Dog Bite Case
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.7 million dog bites happen in the United States in an average year. Nearly 800,000 of these bites need medical attention.
If you have medical bills and other expenses after a dog bit you at De Garmo Park, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm might be able to help you recover damages that might include:
- Ambulance ride
- Urgent or emergency care
- Doctor’s visits
- Prescriptions
- Medical equipment (e.g., a sling)
- Lost time from work due to the injury
- Property damage or loss
- Pain and suffering
Some dog bites result in injuries severe enough to cause disfigurement, disability, or both. If this applies to your situation, our lawyers will also pursue damages for long-term medical care and lost earning capacity.
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Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can lead to many types of injuries and can vary in levels of severity. Typical dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds
- Facial lacerations or cuts
- Eye injuries, including blunt trauma, bleeding, or loss of an eye
- Concussions
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Hand and finger injuries
Significant emotional injuries, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia, can also result from a dog attack.
Risk of Infection Is High
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), between 10% to 15% of dog bites become infected. The Cleveland Clinic reports that nearly half of all dog bites introduce dangerous and sometimes life-threatening bacteria and other foreign elements into your system, including:
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- Pasteurella
- Capnocytophaga
You may also face exposure to rabies, a rare but fatal disease. You may need vaccinations if you do not know the dog’s rabies vaccination history and a tetanus shot to prevent infection.
Call Today for a Free Case Review
You could qualify for damages after suffering from dog bite injuries. A Los Angeles De Garmo Park dog bite lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation with a member of our team, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form