People living in or around Hollywood know that De Longpre Park is an everyday destination for children and families, pet owners, and other individuals. With all of these different lifestyle types frequently crossing paths in a place like De Longpre Park, it is important to know how to handle any difficult situations that may arise. One example of this is knowing what to do in the event of a dog bite or attack, which happens more often with children than adults, according to the American Humane Society.
When a dog bites, there are ways to protect and defend yourself against any injuries, damages, and losses incurred from it. Talking to a Los Angeles De Longpre Park dog bite lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be helpful for knowing what to do after a dog bite, whether you are an owner or a victim. Call our offices now for a free consultation at (800) 816-0755.
Problems After a Dog Bite Accident
The American Humane Society says that dogs can bite for a number of reasons, “especially when eating, sleeping, or caring for their puppies.” However, the reason that a dog is provoked to bite is not always predictable or clear, and the severity of any given bite will vary on each individual case. However, understanding why dogs bite is useful for determining liability for injuries and damage after the accident happens.
American Animal Hospital Association determined that the majority of dog bite cases do not contain information about the specific type of breed, or the breed is not clearly known. Some breeds are notoriously pinned with the prey-hunting behavior related to biting. Pit bulls and German shepherds are often legislated out of county lines with things like breed-specific laws that ban people from owning them.
Treating Dog Bites Is Costly
A dog bite can cause serious damage that may require emergency medical treatment and come with extremely high costs. Costs for surgery, medical equipment, and continuous follow-up care can be a result of treating the following dog bite injuries:
- Deep puncture wounds that require antibiotics, stitches, and further examination
- Nerve damage in severe wounds around highly sensitive areas of the body
- Broken or fractured bones
- Transmission of Rabies or other blood-transmitted diseases
- Emotional trauma and mistrust of dogs
The treatment for any dog injury will vary in that individual case. No two dog bite incidents will be exactly alike, whether or not a dog was previously known to bite people or animals. The cost of treating dog bite injuries has “risen 134 percent” nationally, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). This means the current cost of treating dog bites can be upwards of $20,000 or more in an average case. Your exact costs and treatment options will vary, and should be evaluated by medical professionals as soon as possible after the accident.
The lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm want to protect and defend your rights as a victim or owner who experiences a dog bite accident. Contact us for valuable information on how to approach your particular case. You can call our offices now to consult with a member of our team about your case.
Holding Liable Parties Accountable
In California, dog owners are assumed fully responsible for the medical bills and compensatory damages that a victim can incur after they are bitten by a dog. California Civil Code Section §3342 stipulates that dog owners are “liable for damages suffered regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” This is fairly unusual for the United States, where many states give dog owners a sort of “free pass” when it comes to legal settlements and dog bites. In California, dog owners are responsible for any bodily or property harm caused by their dog’s attacking someone else.
In some cases, a dog owner might not be liable for harm caused by the dog, if for example the bite happened on private property where someone was trespassing, or not reasonably expected to be an invitee. On city-owned and public property, like in parks and stores for example, most of the general public can reasonably be expected to show up and have their rights as an invitee protected.
Also, in cases where a person is bit by a working dog from law enforcement or military personnel, the owners may not be held liable for any damage. When you work with a Los Angeles De Longpre Park dog bite lawyer to seek compensation for any of the new expenses incurred, you will receive all of the information and advice you need to pursue a settlement, whether or not the facts appear to work in your favor.
Reporting a Dog Bite Injury
All dog bite injuries should be immediately reported to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, which upholds that all dogs in the county must be registered and vaccinated according to their requirements. You do not have a limited amount of time to report a dog bite injury, but it is better to report the dog as soon as you can do so safely. The protocol for the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health after a dog bite is to have the animal quarantined to monitor for signs of development of symptoms of rabies.
It is crucial to report dog bites when they happen, especially if they result in significant bodily injury, or if the animal seems otherwise uncontrolled. The Los Angeles Animal Control can work to capture the dog and keep it from hurting other animals and people in the same way.
For a free legal consultation with a De Longpre Park Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 816-0755
Seeking Legal Help for a Dog Bite Accident
After a dog bite accident, you might not understand your best options for getting your expensive medical treatment bills compensated by the liable party. A lawyer is a resourceful person to have on your team to help you get the results you want out of this uncertain scenario.
A lawyer cannot undo the harm you experienced from a dog bite accident, but they can help you fight for fair compensation after it happens. Consult with a Los Angeles De Longpre Park dog bite lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to understand your legal options, and to have a legal team work in your defense as soon as possible. Call (800) 816-0755 for a free consultation.
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