When planning a day out in Devonshire Arleta Park in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles, the last thing on your mind is that the day could end at the emergency room or the doctor’s office. However, dog attacks and bites present an ever-increasing problem in Los Angeles County. California hit a record high in fatal dog attacks in 2019.
California law holds negligent dog owners liable for their dog’s actions. Under California Civil Code § 3342, the owner of a dog is responsible for the damages suffered by a person bitten by their dog, unless the person was trespassing or in the process of committing a crime. Dog bites can cause serious injuries and may require comprehensive medical attention, resulting in costly bills for a victim.
You might be entitled to compensation if you suffered injuries from an aggressive dog at Devonshire Arleta Park—whether physical, emotional, or both. You might want to contact a Los Angeles Devonshire Arleta Park dog bite lawyer to learn more about your legal options. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 816-0755 and discuss with a team member whether you have a case and could get compensation for your injuries.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause several types of injuries, such as puncture wounds, lacerations, face and head injuries, scars, disfigurement, and nerve damage. Dog bites are also prone to serious infections, which is why you should visit a medical professional after a dog attack. A doctor can adequately clean and disinfect any wounds, which can help to prevent infections. A doctor may also recommend tetanus or rabies shots, depending on your circumstances.
However, dog bites are not the only way you can get hurt in dog attacks. Some victims suffer serious injuries while trying to escape from an aggressive dog. It is also possible to suffer injuries when getting knocked down by a dog, such as a traumatic brain injury if you hit your head while falling to the ground. Some victims end up with severe psychological trauma. Any injuries, both physical and emotional, may require costly and ongoing treatment.
Compensation You Could Receive in a Dog Attack Case
In a personal injury or wrongful death case, you could potentially recover economic and non-economic damages if you can prove the dog owner is at fault. Economic awards can include compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Medical transportation costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage (e.g., torn clothes or broken phone)
- Costs for household assistance
- Out-of-pocket costs associated with the dog attack
Non-economic awards you might receive from a dog bite lawsuit can include physical and emotional pain and suffering resulting from:
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
- Loss of use of a limb
- Loss of a sense
You could also receive compensation if your loved one died as the result of a dog attack. From a wrongful death lawsuit, you could receive funeral costs and awards for loss of companionship, as well as other damages. If the dog owner acted particularly recklessly in your attack, you may also receive punitive damages.
If you would like to find out which types of compensation you could receive in your dog bite case, you might want to talk to a Los Angeles Devonshire Arleta Park dog bite lawyer who can advise you on your legal options. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to discuss your case for free with a team member.
For a free legal consultation with a Devonshire Arleta Park Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 816-0755
Do Not Wait to Take Legal Action
It is understandable, especially if you suffered extensive injuries, that you may want to wait until you are fully healed to inquire about legal action that you could take. However, be aware that California does set a time limit for personal injury and wrongful death cases. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, if you do not initiate a lawsuit within two years of the incident, you may be barred from filing a claim altogether.
Receiving timely compensation for your financial losses and emotional suffering can also potentially help you move on faster and put a traumatic and painful experience behind you.
Los Angeles Devonshire Arleta Park Lawyer Near Me (800) 816-0755
Collecting Evidence
When you file your claim against the dog owner, you may deal first with their insurance company, as not all personal injury or wrongful death cases go to court. To receive a settlement and compensation for your losses, you will have to provide evidence to the insurance company such as:
- Medical reports detailing your injuries.
- Photographs of your injuries and damaged property.
- Eyewitness statements.
- Paystubs detailing your lost income.
- Police reports, if available.
A dog bite lawyer can help with gathering the required evidence, eyewitness statements, and expert witnesses for your case.
If the dog owner has adequate insurance coverage, you may not necessarily need to file a lawsuit. However, you might find it challenging to negotiate a fair settlement by yourself. Insurance companies fight to keep payouts as low as possible.
A Los Angeles Devonshire Arleta Park dog bite lawyer will work for you and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf to protect you from any present and future financial losses connected with the dog attack.
Click to contact our Devonshire Arleta Park Lawyers today
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help You
Fighting for your rights and securing fair compensation in a dog bite case can prove challenging. A dog owner, their insurance company, and their attorney can give you a hard time when you simply want to recover what is due to you. You do not have to struggle on your own. An attorney can help you with all aspects of your case, such as gathering all the evidence needed to prove your case.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 816-0755 today and speak to one of our team members about how we can help you get justice and compensation for dog bite injuries suffered at Devonshire Arleta Park.
During your initial free consultation, we can answer any questions you have. If you decide to work with us, we will not charge any upfront attorney’s fees, so there is no need to worry about any out-of-pocket costs.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form