Burbank Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
Dog attacks and dog bite injuries cause serious pain and suffering for victims. In some cases, the injuries caused by dog bites can result in permanent impairments, scarring, and disfigurement. Victims of Burbank, California dog bites have legal rights. In many cases, the dog owner can be held liable for damages from a dog attack. In some cases, a property owner, landlord, or other party is also partially liable for a dog bite injury.
At the Law Office of Alisa Goukasian are here to help. Call 818-242-4601 to schedule your free consultation with a Burbank, CA dog bite attorney.
Common Dog Bite Injuries and How To Treat Injuries Caused by a Dog Bite
Dog bite injuries vary depending on the severity of the attack, the dog breed, and other factors. However, common dog bite injuries include:
Puncture wounds and tearing
Nerve damage
Head and brain injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Scarring and disfigurement
Neck and facial injuries
Emotional trauma, including anxiety, PTSD, fear, and depression
Dog bites can result in serious conditions and infections, including rabies, tetanus, Capnocytophaga, MRSA (Staph), and Pasteurella. Signs of dog bite infections include fever, redness, pain, chills, pus, swelling, and difficulty moving the area where the bite occurred. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any symptoms of infection after a dog bite.
It is also important to know how to treat dog bites at home and when to go to the hospital or doctor. If in doubt, see a doctor.
Seeking immediate medical treatment after a dog bite or dog attack is crucial to preventing further injuries. It is also important to document your injuries for a dog bite claim. You must have proof of injuries to recover compensation from the liable party.
Who is Liable for a Dog Bite or Dog Attack in Burbank, CA?
In many cases, a dog owner can be held strictly liable for dog bite damages under Burbank, California Civil Code §3342. Even if the dog did not show any signs of previous aggression or never bit another person or animal, the dog owner is responsible for the injuries and damages caused by a dog attack or dog bite.
Negligence is another cause of action used to prove liability in dog bite cases. Negligence is often used when another party might be liable or partially liable for the damages, such as a landlord or property owner. Also, negligence might be a factor if the dog’s owner was violating local animal ordinances or regulations for dogs and other animals.
A Burbank, CA dog bite lawyer investigates the incident to determine how the dog bite occurred and who might be liable for damages. It is crucial to gather evidence as soon as possible after a dog bite or dog attack to prove that a dog owner or another party is liable by law for your damages.
What Damages Are Recoverable For a Dog Bite Claim?
Homeowners insurance companies paid $675 million in liability claims related to dog-related injuries in 2018. The average cost per claim increased in 2018 to $39,017.
The damages recoverable for a dog bite claim vary by case. However, some common damages in a dog bite case include (but are not limited to the following):
Medical bills and expenses
Loss of income
Personal care
Disfigurement and scarring
Disabilities and impairments
Emotional and mental suffering
Physical pain and suffering
Loss of quality of life
Future damages for ongoing medical treatment, future loss of income, and diminished earning capacity
To increase the chance, you can recover maximum compensation for your dog bite claim, carefully document your damages with the help of our Burbank, CA dog bite legal team.
Are Certain Types of Dogs More Likely to Attack Than Other Types of Dogs?
One study of dog bite injuries revealed that dog bites and injuries by pit bulls and mixed breed dogs were more frequent and severe compared to other dog breeds. German shepherds, terriers, and Rottweilers were among the top six dog breeds that cause more dog bite injuries. Pointers, Dalmatians, Pekingese, and Great Danes were in the bottom five for bite risk.
The fact is that any dog, even a family pet, can bite a person without warning and without a previous history of aggression. Dogs are animals. Adults and children need to be aware of the risk of dog bites and how to prevent dog bites.
Dog Bite Statistics and What to Do After a Dog Bite or Dog Attack?
Approximately 4.5 million people are victims of dog bites or dog attacks each year in the United States. Young children have the highest risk of being bitten by a dog. According to the IIHS, Burbank, CA has the largest number of insurance claims related to dog bites in 2018 with 2,166 claims. Burbank, CA also had the highest average cost per claim at $45,543. The value of all insurance claims for dog-related injuries in Burbank, California in 2018 was $89.6 million.
If a dog bites you or your child, you need to take steps to protect your legal rights. Steps to take after a dog attack include:
First and foremost, seek medical attention. If the bite is severe immediately contact 911 and make sure to visit the emergency room. Even if the bite is minor, seek medical attention because dog bites can lead to many complications and infections. If the owner of the dog is hostile, or the bite is severe, make sure a police officer visits the scene. A police officer may be able to decide if the dog needs to be impounded immediately and prepare a report that will list important information concerning the identification of the dog, the dog owner and information concerning insurance.
If the bite is a minor scratch call the non-emergency number and state that all parties are at the scene.
Get the incident report number from the police and keep that in your records. Everyone will need that when referring to the case.
Ask for the owner’s name, address, and phone number. Ask for the dog’s name, age, breed, in order to identify the dog.
Ask for their homeowner or renter’s insurance information.
Ask bystanders and witnesses for their contact information.
Take pictures of the dog-related injuries as soon as possible and throughout your recovery.
Keep copies of all documents related to the dog bite or dog attack, including police reports, invoices, medical bills, receipts, and medical records.
Call your local animal control and report the bite.
Contact a Burbank, California dog bite injury attorney.
Contact the Law Office of Alisa Goukasian for a Free Case Review – No Fee Unless We Win
The Burbank dog bite attorneys of the Law Office of Alisa Goukasian handles claims related to dog attacks and dog bites. Call 818-242-4601 to schedule your free consultation with a Burbank, CA dog bite injury attorney.