Dog attacks can be a traumatic experience. Moreover, dog bite injuries can also leave a victim with crippling medical bills and other expenses, especially after severe attacks. In some instances, dog bites can cause horrific physical wounds and scar a victim psychologically for the rest of their lives.
Long term effects from serious dog bites can include permanent disability, disfigurement and scarring, and a fear of dogs. Other injuries from dog bites can include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Bruising and abrasions
- Bone fractures
- Wound infections
- Infectious diseases such as rabies
If you or a family member suffered the tragic consequences of a dog attack, you might now be stuck with the costs. You probably had to pay for medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses by yourself. Not to mention any other costs that victims invariable have.
Fortunately, the law is generally on the side of victims in California. California Civil Code (CIV) §3342 provides that the owner of a dog is liable for damages suffered “by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place.”
Therefore, you may have the option of holding a dog owner to account for your injuries and other damages. Dog owners in California are generally on the hook for a victim’s injuries unless the victim was trespassing or committing a crime at the time.
A Montebello dog bite lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm might be able to help you determine whether you have a claim and could sue a negligent dog owner. Call us for a free consultation at (800) 816-0755.
Compensation in Dog Bite Claims
The compensation you could recover with a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner will depend on the extent of your injuries and other factors of your claim. You could potentially receive awards for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages could include:
- Medical expenses including future medical costs
- Transportation costs
- Loss of income if you are unable to work
- Cosmetic surgery to treat scarring
- Counseling for emotional distress
- Property damage
If you suffered significant injuries, your non-economic damages may be considerable and can include awards for:
- Disfigurement
- Physical pain and anguish
- Emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of a limb or a sense
You could also receive other types of compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. However, the exact details of any compensation you might receive will depend on your specific case. You can consult with a lawyer for more information.
Your Montebello Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
California law generally favors the victim of dog bites. However, not all dog bite claims are straightforward, and dog owners may try to fight any claims with the help of a lawyer. The defendant’s strategy could be to argue that you have some fault in the attack.
Insurance
If a dog owner has homeowners’ insurance in California, you could recover damages under the policy. However, this is not always possible. If the dog’s owner rents property, for example, they may not have homeowners’ insurance in the first place.
Consider that insurance companies might put up a fight before paying out any claims. Some insurance policies may not even cover owners of some dog breeds for dog bite claims at all.
A lawyer can help to protect your rights and fight for compensation. Consider that a lawyer typically works on a contingency basis on dog attack cases, which means you pay no upfront attorney’s fees. There are a number of other ways in which a dog bite lawyer can progress your claim, including:
Identifying All Potentially Liable Parties
While at first glance, a dog attack seems clear-cut, and that the dog owner is responsible, this is not always the case. Other liable parties could potentially be a property owner, landlord, caretaker of the dog, and others. Your dog bite attorney will assess your case thoroughly in order to uncover all potential avenues for compensation.
Assessing and Proving Your Damages
You may not know what types of medical treatment you could need due to a dog attack injury in the future. However, your dog bite lawyer knows how to calculate your damages and any expected future damages. Dog bite injuries can potentially develop into serious infections and other complications down the road, which may require further treatments in the future. Your attorney will take this into account when calculating your damages.
Negotiating for a Fair Settlement
Not all dog bite cases end up in court, per the American Bar Association (ABA). In fact, in many cases, an out-of-court settlement can be preferable to all parties involved. However, victims of dog attacks risk leaving money on the table when they try to negotiate a settlement directly with an insurance company or dog owner.
Having a lawyer fighting for you can signal that you are serious about pursuing justice. Moreover, a lawyer knows what your case is worth and when to walk away and fight for a fair settlement in court.
Representing You in Court
While you can potentially represent yourself, consider that a defendant and their lawyer will fight your claim and may try to shift the blame for the dog attack on you. A dog bite lawyer knows the laws and can represent you in order to fight for your rights.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bite Lawyer serving Montebello, call (800) 794-0444
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Fight for You
If you or a loved one got hurt in a dog attack, do not hesitate to contact us for advice and guidance. A Montebello dog bite lawyer might be able to help you hold a dog owner accountable and recover compensation. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free review of your dog bite case at (800) 816-0755.
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