Los Angeles Dog Bite lawyer
After a terrifying and painful dog bite, you deserve to have an experienced Los Angeles dog bite lawyer representing your case.
Unfortunately, under certain circumstances, dogs and people can have frightening interactions. An overprotective, confused, or frightened pet may lash out and bite someone to cause a serious injury.
After a severe dog bite attack in Los Angeles, the victim will likely face thousands of dollars in emergency medical care and perhaps weeks of expensive rehabilitation therapy. Los Angeles dog bite victims shouldn’t be responsible for paying for their own recovery. California law mandates that dog owners take responsibility for any damage that their dog causes after an attack.
However, filing a lawsuit after a dog bite in Los Angeles can be complicated. Speaking with heated dog owners and stingy insurance companies is dangerous and futile without the help of an experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney.
Free Consultation for Los Angeles Dog Bite Victims
Los Angeles dog bite victims can call Maison Law for a free, no-obligation consultation today. You deserve to have an experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney inform you of your legal options.
After a dog bite in Los Angeles, you may be entitled to financial support. There are times when it is best for victims to have a lawyer on their side, and other cases where victims can handle the matter on their own.
We will happily discuss the details of your case and help you understand your options to move forward.
Compensation Available for Los Angeles Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite wounds are unique from other types of accident injuries. Infection is a serious concern when animals bite and an infected wound takes longer to heal and can leave lasting scars. Surgery to correct a disfigurement is another real possibility.
Dog teeth generally puncture the skin and cause tearing in tissue, muscle and can even cause damage to bones. Victims might suffer tendon and nerve damage in a hand or ankle and require specialist surgery to restore full control in a limb. Physical therapy to learn how to use a damaged hand or fingers could also add to the already astronomical medical expenses.
In some of the worst cases, victims suffer a permanent disability from their injury. This can require lifelong financial support for the victim, especially if they are unable to return to work to support their families. This includes compensation for any medical equipment needed over a lifetime and training for a new career.
Victims deserve to be financially supported for as long as they need. That compensation is provided through insurance settlements or court judgments.
These are some of the damages dog bite victims face that factor into the amount of a settlement or award:
- The totals on all hospital and rehabilitation expenses including expected future costs.
- The totals in lost wages while the victim has missed work.
- The amount of emotional distress the victim has experienced including PTSD symptoms and depression.
- Loss of enjoyment of life and the inability to participate in family life.
- Damage or destruction of property.
What Our Clients Say
Los Angeles Dog Bite Laws
States differ in how the responsibility in dog bite cases is handled. Fortunately, California law sides with bite victims in most instances.
California follows the legal concept of “strict liability” where dog bites are concerned. This means dog owners are liable for injuries and damages caused by bites, even if a dog doesn’t have a history of aggression or biting.
Dog owners or in some cases property owners of the location where a dog is kept may face full liability for injuries and hardships caused by a bite.
Victims can file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the owner as long as they can prove they were actually bitten and it happened on public property or on private land they were legally visiting. An injury that doesn’t break the skin could still be considered a bite if the damage is serious enough.
Victims can’t have been illegally trespassing or be shown to have provoked the dog. There are also some self-defense laws that might negate the victim’s right to seek compensation if the pet was acting to protect its owner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Dog Bites
Unfortunately, people are often bitten at a friend’s house or a family member’s house. People may feel conflicted about filing a claim against the dog owner. However, a claim generally secures money from the insurance company and not the dog owner’s own bank account. And cases are usually settled without a lawsuit and without having to enter a courtroom.
Children are entitled to compensation after a dog bite in California so long as they did not intentionally provoke the dog.
Minors are more likely to be the victims of a dog bite because of their curious and playful nature. They also aren’t able to recognize potentially harmful situations and see to their own safety like an adult can.
Parents or guardians in California can file a claim for damages to ensure their children get the best medical care available. The responsible party should provide enough funding to ensure the child can have regular check-ups to prevent complications from the dog bite as they get older.
Yes – California families are allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit if a supporting family member dies due to a dog attack.
In the worst instances, wounds can be severe enough to threaten the life of a younger or older victim. Close relatives who tragically lose a loved one in a dog attack do have options to help protect the remaining family members from financial difficulties.
A spouse, domestic partner, or children of the victim are allowed to file a wrongful death claim. This civil lawsuit seeks money from the dog owner’s insurance coverage to pay for burial costs and any lingering medical and emergency response bills left from the accident.
A wrongful death claim also demands financial support for the years ahead, when a family will be without the love, guidance, and support through employment the deceased had always provided.
Contact a Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If a dog bites you or a loved one to cause a serious injury, make sure your family is not left to cover the costs of the recovery. Holding a negligent dog owner responsible is vital when you want to ensure you don’t lose everything while trying to pay medical expenses.
The dog owner’s insurance company may try to get you to take some of the blame for the dog bite, but don’t fall for this “bad faith” tactic. They simply want to reduce the amount of money they’ll have to provide as you recover.
After a bite, contact an experienced Dog Bite Lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free and confidential case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case and works to help victims get their lives back on track as quickly as possible without the worry of financial burdens.
