DOG BITE INJURY/ANIMAL ATTACK LAWYER 

Dogs bite roughly 5 million individuals a year in the U.S. Almost half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. Approximately 800,000 Americans every year seek medical attention for injuries from dog bites, and 386,000 require emergency room treatment. Around 16 individuals die annually after being attacked by a dog. The CDC's figures do not consider the psychological trauma of experiencing an animal attack.

It is a simple fact of life that dogs bite. This includes any dog of any breed. A dog bite can be anything from a nip to a traumatic attack that leaves a serious injury. A serious injury sustained in a dog attack is cause to hold the dog's owner responsible, and for the dog bite victim to seek compensation for all medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damage caused by the bite.

If you have sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that happened in the Burbank area or anywhere else in California, the personal injury attorneys at Drake Law Firm, want to assist you.

SERIOUS INJURIES FROM DOG ATTACKS

A serious bite is not a playful nip or even a small injury that bruises someone who came into contact with a dog at the wrong time. A serious dog attack is one that consists of biting and scratching that causes considerable traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can additionally cause considerable emotional and psychological injury.

According to dog bite statistics from the CDC, approximately 885,000 dog bite victims every year-- or 20 percent of all of those who are bitten by dogs-- require medical attention for their injuries.

The most common victims are:

• Kids ages 5-9
• Elderly people
• Post letter carriers

Dogs most often bite an individual's arm, hand, leg, foot, head or neck, according to the CDC. Typical injuries in dog attacks include:

• Cuts, bruises and scratches
• Puncture wounds
• Tearing (avulsion)
• Dislocations
• Fractures
• Amputations
• Crushing (head/ skull injuries)

DogsBite.org, a nonprofit, public education website concerning dangerous dog breeds, reports that serious dog attacks can result in acute injuries that can require $250,000 to $1 million in specialized medical care.

The CDC states that roughly 27,000 dog bite victims each year undergo reconstructive surgery. This might include skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment. A victim might require a number of operations over many years.

SEEKING COMPENSATION AFTER A DOG BITE

Dog bite victims might seek compensation to cover their:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income and decreased earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Other related losses

Claims can be made against the dog owner and, potentially, a third party if that party's negligence resulted in the injury.

People who have been seriously wounded by an attacking dog are entitled to compensation and should not be reluctant to seek it via civil legal action and contact a dog attack attorney-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The payment recouped in a dog bite case almost always comes from the dog owner's insurance, such as homeowners' insurance or business liability insurance.

The Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance report that dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid in 2013 and resulted in more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average settlement for dog attack claims was $27,862.

An experienced lawyer can investigate your dog attack case to determine whether the dog's owner is liable and calculate the settlement you may be due for your injuries.

Many claims can be settled through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance provider. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would be ready to seek suitable compensation for you in court.

TAKING ACTION AFTER AN ATTACK

You can act to help yourself, a loved one or a friend who has been wounded by a dog bite. Here are some steps you should attempt to follow:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any dog bite should be seen by a medical professional.
• Immediately report the injury to the police and acquire a copy of the police accident report.
• Obtain the name and contact information of the dog owner if possible.
• Obtain the name and contact information of any people who witnessed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries along with the location of the incident.
• Photograph any visible injuries you have endured as a result of the incident with the animal.
• Keep any clothing that might have been damaged by the animal.
• Keep and, ideally, photograph any kind of property damaged by the animal.
• Do not communicate with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance provider. If you accept any kind of reimbursement, you may waive your right to sue for additional damages.

CONTACT OUR DOG ATTACK LAWYERS

If you or a loved one has sustained a dog attack injury or other animal attack that caused serious injury or scarring, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. Get in touch with a Burbank dog bite attorney at Drake Law Firm, without delay and schedule a free consultation.

We will provide a team of legal professionals, medical professionals and investigators who are committed to your case. We can help you make informed decisions about your legal options. Our dog attack lawyers will work hard to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

At Drake Law Firm, we've assisted numerous personal injury clients to get the compensation they require to recover. We won't let you accept unfair treatment from other law firms and we will defend you from beginning to end. If you need help with an Animal Attack Lawyer in Burbank, California, give us a call at (844) 513-7253 for a FREE consultation or visit our website at DrakeLawGroup.com to get started on your case today! 

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