Animal Attack/Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Dogs attack approximately 5 million individuals a year in the U.S. Almost half of those injured are kids, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims. Approximately 800,000 Americans each year seek medical attention for injuries from dog bites, and 386,000 need emergency room treatment. Around 16 people 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 cause to hold the dog's owner responsible, and for the dog attack victim to seek reimbursement for all medical expenses, pain and suffering and other harm caused by the bite.

If you have sustained 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 results in considerable traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can additionally cause significant emotional and psychological injury.

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

The most common victims are:

• Children ages 5-9
• Elderly individuals
• Mail 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 cause severe injuries that can require $250,000 to $1 million in specialized medical care.

The CDC specifies that about 27,000 dog bite victims every year undergo reconstructive surgery. This might include skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment. A victim may need a number of operations over many years.

Seeking Compensation After a Dog Bite

Dog bite victims may pursue reimbursement to cover their:

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

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

Individuals who have been seriously injured by an attacking dog deserve compensation and should not hesitate to seek it through civil legal action and contact a dog bite lawyer-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The compensation recuperated in a dog attack case 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 cases was $27,862.

An experienced attorney can investigate your dog attack claim to determine whether the dog's owner is responsible and calculate the settlement you might be due for your injuries.

Many cases can be resolved through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance company. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would be ready to seek appropriate 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 injured by a dog bite. Below are some steps you should attempt to follow:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any dog bite should be seen by a physician.
• Immediately report the injury to the police and secure 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 individuals who 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.
• Save any kind of clothing that might have been damaged by the animal.
• Keep and, ideally, photograph any property damaged by the animal.
• Do not interact with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance company. If you accept any form of compensation, you may forgo your right to sue for additional damages.

Reach Out to Our Dog Bite Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury or other animal attack that resulted in serious injury or scarring, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. Get in touch with a Panorama City dog bite attorney at Drake Law Firm, without delay and arrange a complimentary consultation.

We will provide a team of legal professionals, medical professionals and investigators who are dedicated to your case. We can help you make informed decisions regarding your legal options. Our dog bite attorneys will strive to ensure you receive the settlement 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 Animal Attack 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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