Dog Bite/Animal Attack Injury Lawyers

Dogs bite roughly 5 million people a year in the United States. Practically half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. Approximately 800,000 Americans annually seek medical attention for wounds from dog attacks, 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 severe injury. A serious injury sustained in a dog attack is cause to hold the dog's owner responsible, and for the dog attack victim to seek compensation for all medical costs, pain and suffering and other harm resulted in by the bite.

If you have sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that occurred in the Reseda 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 minor 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 significant traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can also cause significant emotional and psychological injury.

According to dog bite statistics from the CDC, roughly 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. Typical 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 regarding dangerous dog breeds, reports that serious dog attacks can cause acute injuries that can require $250,000 to $1 million in specialized medical care.

The CDC specifies that about 27,000 dog bite victims each year undergo reconstructive surgery. This may include skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment. A victim may require a number of procedures over several years.

Seeking Compensation After a Dog Bite

Dog bite victims might seek reimbursement to cover their:

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

Claims can be made against the dog owner and, possibly, 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 via civil legal action and contact a dog bite attorney-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The settlement recovered 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 accounted for 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 settlement for dog attack cases was $27,862.

An experienced attorney can examine your dog bite case to determine whether the dog's owner is liable and determine the settlement you may be due for your injuries.

Several 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 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 injured by a dog bite. Below are some steps you should try to follow:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any type of dog bite should be seen by a doctor.
• Immediately report the incident to the police and acquire 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 who observed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries along with the location of the incident.
• Photograph any kind of visible injuries you have endured as a result of the incident with the animal.
• Save any clothing that may have been damaged by the animal.
• Save and, if possible, photograph any kind of property damaged by the animal.
• Do not communicate with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance company. If you accept any type of compensation, you may waive your right to sue for additional damages.

Reach Out to Our Dog Bite Attorneys

If you or a loved one has sustained a dog bite injury or other animal attack that caused serious injury or scarring, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. Reach out to a Reseda dog attack attorney at Drake Law Firm, right away and arrange a free consultation.

We will provide a team of legal professionals, medical experts and investigators that are dedicated to your case. We can help you make informed decisions about your legal options. Our dog attack attorneys will strive 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 a Dog Bite Injury 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!