A dog attack can be physically painful, as well as emotionally traumatizing. If you have suffered injuries and incurred medical costs due to a dog attack while visiting Delano Park in Van Nuys, you may have legal recourse and receive compensation.
Speaking to a Los Angeles Delano Park dog bite lawyer can help you get a clear idea of your legal options. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 for a free consultation with a team member.
The Consequences of Dog Bites
Dog bite injuries can be painful and could have long-term consequences for the victim. Injuries suffered in dog attacks can include:
- Injuries to the skin and soft tissues
- Head and face injuries
- Fractures
- Scars and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Infections
Infections can become a severe complication of dog bites, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If you have suffered injuries in a dog attack and did not visit a doctor that day, you should schedule a visit as soon as possible. If a medical professional does not treat a dog bite injury in a timely manner, you could end up with a severe infection that may require hospitalization and antibiotics. You might also need a rabies vaccination to avoid contracting this fatal disease.
Going to a doctor as soon as possible after a dog bite or attack has occurred also has importance if you later decide to file legal action. Medical reports and documentation of your injuries can act as relevant evidence.
Financial Impact of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites do not only have consequences for your health. They can also drain your bank accounts, depending on the severity of injuries and the medical treatment you require. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog bite insurance claim in 2019 in California was $51,265. The total value of all claims statewide that year amounted to a staggering $122.8 million.
If you recently suffered injuries due to a dog attack while visiting Delano Park and now have medical expenses and property damage, you can consult a dog bite lawyer for help on how you could get justice and compensation. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to speak with a team member about your case for free.
The Dog Owner Is Generally Liable
Under CIV § 3342, you can hold a dog owner responsible for your injuries from a dog attack, provided that:
- You were not trespassing on private property.
- You did not provoke the dog.
- The dog was not a law enforcement canine.
When there is a dispute about damages, the owner may claim that you provoked the dog or were somehow responsible for the attack. Therefore, you might find it beneficial to speak to a Los Angeles Delano Park dog bite lawyer who knows the laws and can protect your interests.
Compensation for Dog Bites
Dog bites can prove expensive as well as painful. They might require extensive medical treatment and surgeries. Victims of dog bites can also end up with considerable psychological problems after an upsetting dog attack—for example, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. In some cases, victims may end up afraid to leave their house or develop a lifelong fear of dogs.
You should not have to shoulder all the costs and worries yourself if a negligent dog owner failed to control their dog. If you file a personal injury lawsuit, you could recover compensation for economic as well as non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Counseling
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of a limb
- Loss of qualify of life
You could also receive additional compensation. If your loved one died because of a dog attack, you could file a wrongful death lawsuit and potentially receive awards for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and more.
For a free legal consultation with a Delano Park Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 816-0755
California Statute of Limitations
When you or a loved one suffered any injuries in a dog attack, you should act quickly to have the best chance of recovering any damages. CCP § 335.1 generally prevents you from filing a lawsuit after two years have passed. The two-year time limit starts on the day of your injury, although there can be exceptions.
There is no benefit to waiting with a lawsuit. It is usually easier to collect evidence and statements from eyewitnesses immediately after an attack, or as soon as possible. Witnesses may become harder to track down after months have passed, and evidence and documents can disappear over time.
While it may tempt you to wait with any legal action until you fully heal, you might benefit from contacting a Los Angeles Delano Park dog bite lawyer as soon as possible to clarify your next best steps.
Los Angeles Delano Park Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Fight for You
If you suffered injuries and damages in a recent dog attack at Los Angeles’ Delano Park, you do not have to take on the negligent dog owner by yourself. You might find it helpful to have legal representation, particularly if a dog owner argues that you have any fault in the attack. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm does not shy away from tough cases and will work to get you the compensation you might be eligible to receive.
We can help with all aspects of building your case, including gathering evidence and witness statements, consulting with expert witnesses, and negotiating with insurance companies. We can also represent you in court to fight for your rights and compensation.
You may have already incurred financial damages from the dog bite, such as medical bills or costs to replace torn clothes or other property damaged in the attack. When you work with us, you do not have to worry about any out-of-pocket expenses. We work on contingency, which means that we do not charge any upfront fees and only get paid if we win your case.
Do not face the challenge of holding a dog owner to account on your own. The laws surrounding dog bites and owner negligence can prove confusing. We can help you. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 for a free evaluation of your dog bite case with a team member.
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