Dogs are loving companions to most folks who have them, but that does not mean that they cannot pose a risk to certain parties. Dogs that have been abused, in particular, or that have been trained to respond negatively to unfamiliar stimuli – whether intentionally or unintentionally – can cause serious harm to those parties who do not know how to interact with them.
If you or a loved one suffered from a dog bite injury and you did not antagonize the dog with the intention of harming it, you may seek a settlement for the losses that you face. To discuss a civil case involving a dog bite, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 816-0755.
What to Do When a Dog Bites You
It can be overwhelming to respond to a dog bite in the moment and in the immediate aftermath. If you have the time, though, it is best to try and take the following steps:
Get Away from the Dog
First and foremost, do not try to calm the dog attacking you down. Instead, get away from the attacking dog as soon as you can. Try not to run, as that might provoke the dog into chasing you. However, the faster you can disentangle yourself from the dog and get yourself to a safe location, the sooner you can weigh your options without facing the threat of another bite.
Write Down the Owner’s Contact Information
If you have the name of the dog’s owner, you will want to write it down along with any other applicable contact information soon after your attack, so you don’t forget it while seeking out medical treatment. If the dog’s owner will not provide you with their name, get their physical description, instead, as well as the names of any bystanders in the immediate area. You can also write down the address of the property on which the attack happened for later reference.
Determine the Severity of Your Wound
Again, only once you are safe should you try and take into account the severity of the injuries you have suffered due to the dog bite. If at all possible, engage in immediate first aid or request that someone nearby do so.
Get to the Hospital
Regardless of the severity of your injury, you will want to go to the hospital after a dog bite. Dogs, after all, can carry diseases, and you will want to seek out treatment for such conditions before they have a chance to properly develop in your system. Talk with an attending medical professional about the incident as it occurred and, in turn, request information about your wound. Make sure to request shots for rabies and other transmittable conditions before leaving a medical practitioner’s care.
Determine What Kind of Property Damage You Might Have to Deal With
With your wounds treated, take into account any property damage that you may have suffered during your accident. This can include damage done to important rings, phones, or anything else you may have had on you at the time of the incident.
Reach Out to a Manhattan Beach Dog Bite Lawyer
With your injuries tended to and the consequences of the attack cataloged, you can reach out to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to better understand what legal paths may be available to you, based on the circumstances that led to your accident.
What a Manhattan Beach Dog Bite Lawyer Can Do for You
If you choose to work with a Manhattan Beach dog bite lawyer, you can untangle the legal complexities surrounding your case while also focusing on recovering as you need to from the attack. A Manhattan Beach dog bite lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you bring together what documents you might need to take legal action with your losses in mind.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bite Lawyer serving Manhattan, call (800) 794-0444
Breaking Down Your Bite’s Cause
Before you have the chance to file the documents you might need to fight for compensation, you must first prove that the dog owner’s or another applicable party, as described in California Civil Code (CIV) §3342, owed you a duty of care. In doing so, you can establish that the duty was violated when the dog attacked and that, in turn, the damages you suffered were in fact the fault of the party you wish to bring to justice.
In establishing the above, you can prove to any judge who looks over your case that your case has precedent, thereby allowing you the right to fight for compensation.
Manhattan Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Exploring Potential Routes Towards Compensation
After a dog bite accident, you have several avenues through which you can pursue compensation for your losses. These include:
- Writing a demand letter – To handle compensation negotiations without input from a judge, you can write a demand letter. You deliver these documents to the party you believe to be liable for your losses and, assuming that you receive a response, take the opportunity to negotiate for compensation based on a losses-estimate.
- Writing a complaint – If you would rather let a legal professional take on the responsibility for your case, then you can draft a complaint instead of a demand letter. You deliver complaints to local justices in your area and, so long as you have delivered the document within California’s statute of limitations, it goes before a judge for consideration. A judge will then determine whether or not your case should move forward.
If you receive a settlement offer from the party you believe to be liable for your losses, you can work with a Manhattan Beach dog bite lawyer to determine whether or not the settlement will help you recover fully from your accident.
Click to contact our Dog Bite Lawyers today
Learn More with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm
Dog bites can leave you or a loved one with significant emotional trauma as well as long-lasting injuries. These situations can not only cause significant physical damage but also lost opportunities for employment or general day-to-day pleasure while undergoing recovery.
You do not have to take these losses sitting down. Instead, you can work with a Manhattan Beach dog bite lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to determine what manner of legal action may suit you best.
To fight for compensation after a dog bite accident, call (800) 816-0755.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
