Dog Bite & Animal Attack Lawyers

Dogs attack approximately 5 million people a year in the U.S. Practically half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. About 800,000 Americans annually seek medical attention for wounds from dog attacks, and 386,000 need emergency room treatment. Around 16 people 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 harm resulted in by the bite.

If you have sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that took place in the Topanga area or anywhere else in California, the personal injury lawyers at Drake Law Firm, want to help you.

Serious Injuries from Dog Bites

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 consists of biting and scratching that results in considerable traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can also cause considerable 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 individuals
• Mail 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 serious dog attacks can cause 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 consist of 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 expenses
• Lost income and reduced 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.

People who have been seriously wounded by an attacking dog deserve compensation and should not hesitate to seek it through 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 claim 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 attacks made up more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2013 and led to more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average payment for dog attack cases was $27,862.

An experienced lawyer can examine your dog attack claim to establish 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 prepare to seek suitable compensation for you in court.

Taking Action After a Bite

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

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any kind of 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.
• Get the name and contact information of any individuals who observed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries as well as the location of the incident.
• Photograph any kind of visible injuries you have suffered 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 form of compensation, you may forgo your right to sue for additional damages.

Contact Our Dog Bite Attorneys

If you or a loved one has sustained a dog attack injury or other animal attack that resulted in severe injury or scarring, you have rights that deserve to be protected. Get in touch with a Topanga dog bite lawyer at Drake Law Firm, without delay and arrange a free consultation.

We will offer 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 attack lawyers 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 Dog Bite Injury in Topanga, 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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