Dog bite injuries can be serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five people bitten by a dog will require medical treatment. If you or someone you love is bitten by a dog, it is important to clean the wound immediately, apply antibacterial ointment, and bandage the injury. The risk of infection or illness after a dog bite is significant because dogs sometimes carry germs that can make people sick. You should seek medical attention if:
- You are unsure how severe your bite wound is.
- Your wound is deep or a deep puncture.
- Your wound shows signs of infections, such as redness, swelling, pain, and oozing.
- The wound is bleeding significantly, or the skin around the wound is crushed or torn.
- The dog that bit you may have rabies, or you are unsure if the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations.
- You have not had a tetanus shot in ten years (five years if the wound is deep or particularly dirty).
It is estimated 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). People may think only “dangerous” breeds of dogs, like pit bulls or Rottweilers, pose a threat, but even puppies can bite. Over half of all dog bite victims are familiar with the animal that bites them. Dogs are more likely to bite when they are sick, scared, nervous, eating, or protecting a toy. Children are more likely than adults to be bitten, and their injuries can be more severe.
If you are bitten by a dog, it is important to report the injury to your local animal control agency and police department. They can help you learn if the dog has been vaccinated and can make sure the animal receives any necessary shots. They also will work with the dog’s owner to make sure measures are taken to prevent the dog from biting another person. Contacting these agencies provides you with documentation of your dog bite incident should you choose to seek compensation for your injuries.
If you were bitten by a dog at Pershing Square dog park in downtown Los Angeles, a Los Angeles Pershing Square dog bite lawyer may be able to help you seek damages to cover expenses resulting from your injury. To find out more, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 816-0755 for a free consultation.
Strict Liability
When it comes to dog bite injuries, California is a strict liability state. This means that a dog owner is responsible if their dog bites someone, regardless of whether they were acting negligently. For example, Pershing Square requires all dogs to be on a leash in the park. If you were bitten by a dog, it does not matter whether or not the owner was following the park’s rules, they are liable. Your dog bite claim is just as valid if the dog was on or off a leash.
This is different from some states that follow a “one bite” rule. In these states, dog owners are liable only if their dog has bitten someone before, giving them prior knowledge that the dog may bite.
According to California Civil Code 3342, there are a few exceptions to strict liability:
- Dog owners are not liable for injuries if the dog bite occurred while the animal was working as a police or military dog.
- Dog owners are not liable if the person bitten was trespassing on private property. However, the law does recognize some individuals who may be “lawfully in a private place.” This includes anyone whose job duties mandate they be on private property, such as mail carriers.
- Dog owners are not liable in some cases where the person bitten was provoking the animal.
- Dog owners are not liable if their dog was protecting them from harm, and therefore acting in their defense.
If you were bitten in Pershing Square, the dog’s owner may be liable for your injuries. You may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, including medications, surgeries, doctor visits, ongoing therapies, and any other medical costs associated with your dog bite. You may be able to seek damages for pain and suffering, permanent scarring, and loss of a finger or limb. You may also be entitled to awards for lost wages if your injury caused you to miss work or has left you unable to work in the future.
A Los Angeles Pershing Square dog bite lawyer can help you identify any damages for which you may be compensated. An attorney can help you negotiate a settlement with the dog owner’s insurance company, if possible, or help you pursue awards in court. California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The statute of limitations begins at the time the dog bite occurred. If you believe you may want to pursue your claim in court, you may want to speak to an attorney before the statute of limitations expires.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today for a Free Evaluation
Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience, especially if your injuries are severe enough to require medical treatment. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we believe those responsible for your injuries should share in the costs of your recovery. We can help you seek compensation so you can focus on healing.
Our Los Angeles Pershing Square dog bite lawyers may be able to negotiate a settlement with the dog owner’s insurance company, or we can take your dog bite claim all the way to court, if necessary. We can help you gather evidence to support your claim, such as medical records, official reports, and eyewitness testimony.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm provides risk-free consultations. Our services cost you nothing out of pocket and nothing up front. Any fees we collect are paid from any settlement you may receive. To learn more about how our team can help, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 816-0755 to discuss your case.
Call or text (800) 816-0755 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form