Maison Law represents Bell CA victims who have been seriously injured by a dog bite. Our dog bite attorneys assist victims in getting the support they’ll require to make a full recovery. This means seeking full compensation from dog owners and making sure a settlement covers every current and future need the victim has.
Please contact us after a bite that causes a serious injury for a free, no-obligation consultation for you and your family. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out what your case may be worth and how to hold dog owners responsible.
Do I Need to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer to Represent Me?
If your dog bite wound leaves only minor scrapes or bruising, you probably won’t need a lawyer’s help with your case. But if your injuries are more serious, such as broken fingers or a deep bite wound, you should speak with a Bell Dog Bite lawyer.
When the cost of care grows with a serious injury, homeowners insurance providers are instructed to find ways to avoid accepting blame for a dog bite accident. They could seek ways to blame you for what happened. They may find doctors who will say that the bite wound isn’t that serious.
A lawyer can be a powerful defense against this unfair treatment and can also increase the amount you see on a settlement check.
These are just a few of the safeguards and value Maison Law provides:
- Fully investigate the dog bite incident, the dog’s history, and the dog owner’s history
- Collect all evidence, including witness testimony, damaged clothing, and any security footage
- Work with your doctors to fully document the injury
- Handle your case and file it with as little disruption to your family as possible
- Handle frustrating negotiations with insurance representatives
- Often secures much more for your case than you could have by taking on the dog owner’s insurance provider by yourself
- Ready to file a lawsuit if an insurance company won’t accept full responsibility for your wellbeing
Your lawyer prepares a strong case in order to fight back against unfair insurance companies. Your lawyer holds them fully accountable and then demands the maximum in compensation available for you and your family.
Are California Dog Owners Responsible When Their Dog Bite?
Yes. California makes it easier for blame to be assigned in a dog bite incident and for victims to get help paying for recovery.
The state follows the legal concept of “strict liability” when it comes to dog bites. It means that dog owners are held liable for the consequences of a bite. A dog doesn’t have to have a history of biting or aggressive behavior for a dog owner to be held financially responsible.
Dog owners are held accountable as long as victims can prove a few things were true:
- A bite occurred. A bite counts even if it doesn’t break the skin, but still causes damage.
- Victims were on public property or legally on private property. Victims weren’t trespassing.
- Victims didn’t provoke the dog.
As long as these factors are shown to be true, a dog bite victim can expect to win settlement money from a dog owner to help with recovery costs.
The pet owner’s homeowners insurance policy or renters’ insurance policy could be called upon to provide compensation. Dog owners who don’t have these insurance policies could be forced to provide support out of their own pockets.
Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims
A dog bite might occur in someone’s backyard in a Bell neighborhood after a dog owner is negligent in keeping a dog in a secure enclosure. It might occur when a dog owner allows a pet too much leash while visiting Adolph Treder Park.
Victims can be left with hand injuries that make it impossible for them to do their jobs for weeks or months. A serious attack might leave a victim with a broken bone or a permanent disfigurement. These factors must be considered when deciding the size of a dog bite settlement check. The money provided must last as long as the victim takes to recover, and in some cases, for a whole lifetime of consequences.
Your lawyer will ask for economic and non-economic damages, including a few things you may not have realized can earn victims additional support:
- Full coverage of hospital bills and emergency response fees.
- Physical therapy costs to learn to regain the use of affected limbs.
- The estimated costs of living a life with a permanent disability or long-term disfigurement.
- Physical pain the victim has endured.
- Emotional trauma the victim has suffered through, including PTSD symptoms and anxiety.
- Loss of enjoyment of life and the inability to participate in family activities. Hobbies, like running, may no longer be an option.
- Travel costs for doctor and specialist visits.
- Forfeited paychecks while the victim has missed time at work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What special compensation will child dog bite victims need?
A child’s less developed and smaller body is much more vulnerable in a bite incident. It’s critical they get support to pay for the best medical care now and in the future. The future is important with young victims, because a seemingly healed dog bite wound can give them trouble as they continue to grow and develop. An old injury that suddenly reappears can affect their maturation process, and they may require surgery and physical therapy to undo the damage. A skilled lawyer would demand everything necessary to make sure children had the money to take care of themselves if they had medical issues in the years ahead.
Can my family ask for support if a loved one is killed in a dog bite incident?
Yes. Families are encouraged to file wrongful death claims so they can avoid financial difficulties in the years to come. That should include money to pay for a burial and to pay off remaining medical bills. Families should also get support if the victim had supported loved ones with a weekly income that’s no longer available. Families would receive support for the love and guidance they can no longer turn to. In the case of a lost child, parents could also sue for the loss of companionship and love they’ll never get to experience in the future.
How long do I have to file a dog bite accident claim in California?
Two years. California has a statute of limitations of two years on dog bite cases. Victims should never wait this long to file, though. Act quickly. Evidence can be lost, and witnesses and dog owners might become hard to find the longer you wait.
Contact a Bell Dog Bite Attorney
After you or a loved one has suffered a serious dog bite, reach out to a Bell Dog Bite Lawyer to discuss your case, free of charge. It’s a no-risk opportunity to find out about all the benefits available to you and how to hold an insurance company fully responsible. We are happy to meet with victims from Bell or from anywhere in Los Angeles County.
There’s no obligation, but if you feel we can help you earn a bigger settlement check from an insurance company, you won’t need any upfront money. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for your family. Then our fee comes out of the dog bite settlement you receive.
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