DOG BITE INJURY/ANIMAL ATTACK LAWYER

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

It is a basic 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 severe injury. A severe injury suffered in a dog attack is reason to hold the dog's owner responsible, and for the dog bite victim to seek reimbursement for all medical costs, pain and suffering and other harm resulting from the bite.

If you have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that happened in the Panorama City area or anywhere else in California, the personal injury lawyers 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 includes biting and scratching that causes significant traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can also result in significant 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:

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

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

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

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

The CDC states that approximately 27,000 dog bite victims each year undergo reconstructive surgery. This might consist of 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 pursue compensation to cover their:

• Past and future medical costs
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological distress
• Other related losses

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

People who have been seriously injured by an attacking dog are entitled to compensation and should not hesitate to seek it via civil legal action and contact a dog attack lawyer-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The payment recovered in a dog attack claim usually 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 made up more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2013 and resulted in more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average payment for dog attack claims was $27,862.

An experienced attorney can examine your dog bite case to establish whether the dog's owner is responsible and calculate the compensation you might be due for your injuries.

Many claims can be resolved through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance provider. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would prepare 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 that has been wounded by a dog bite. Below are some steps you should attempt to follow:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any type of dog bite should be seen by a medical professional.
• Immediately report the injury to the police and obtain a copy of the police accident report.
• Get the name and contact information of the dog owner if possible.
• Obtain the name and contact information of any individuals that witnessed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries as well as 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, if possible, photograph any property damaged by the animal.
• Do not communicate with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance provider. If you accept any type of compensation, you may waive your right to sue for additional damages.

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR DOG BITE ATTORNEYS

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury or other animal attack that caused severe injury or scarring, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. Contact a Panorama City dog bite lawyer at Drake Law Firm, without delay and schedule a complimentary consultation.

We will offer a team of legal professionals, medical professionals and investigators that are dedicated to your case. We can help you make informed decisions concerning your legal options. Our dog bite attorneys will work hard to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

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 a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Panorama City, 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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