Dog Bite & Animal Attack Lawyers

Dogs bite roughly 5 million individuals a year in the United States Almost half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims. Approximately 800,000 Americans every year seek medical attention for injuries from dog attacks, and 386,000 require emergency room treatment. Around 16 people die each year after being attacked by a dog. The CDC's figures 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 sustained in a dog attack is reason to hold the dog's owner accountable, and for the dog attack victim to seek compensation for all medical costs, pain and suffering and other harm resulting from the bite.

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

Serious Injuries from Dog Attacks

A serious bite is not a playful nip or even a small injury that bruises an individual who came into contact with a dog at the wrong time. A serious dog attack is one that includes biting and scratching that causes considerable traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can additionally 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 attacked by dogs-- require medical attention for their injuries.

The most common victims are:

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

Dogs usually bite an individual's arm, hand, leg, foot, head or neck, according to the CDC. Common injuries in dog attacks consist of:

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

DogsBite.org, a nonprofit, public education website about 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 roughly 27,000 dog bite victims each year undergo reconstructive surgery. This might consist of skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment. A victim might need a number of procedures over several years.

Seeking Compensation After a Dog Attack

Dog bite victims might pursue compensation to cover their:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income and decreased earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological 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.

Individuals that have been seriously wounded by an attacking dog are entitled to compensation and should not hesitate to seek it through civil legal action and contact a dog attack attorney-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The compensation 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 attacks made up more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid in 2013 and led to more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average payment for dog bite claims was $27,862.

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

Several claims can be settled through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance provider. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would prepare to pursue 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 physician.
• 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 people who observed 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 may have been damaged by the animal.
• Keep and, if possible, photograph any kind of property damaged by the animal.
• Do not interact with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance company. If you accept any kind of compensation, you may waive your right to sue for additional damages.

Get In Touch with Our Dog Attack Lawyers

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog attack injury or other animal attack that caused severe injury or scarring, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. Reach out to a Reseda dog attack lawyer at Drake Law Firm, right away and schedule a complimentary 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 concerning your legal options. Our dog bite attorneys will strive to ensure you receive the settlement 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 Animal Attacks in Reseda, 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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