Experienced Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyers
We can help you get maximum compensation for your dog bite.
Why consulting a lawyer first matters.
Before talking to an insurance company, it's important to speak with a lawyer first. Insurance companies often try to pay you much less, but a lawyer will work to get you a fair amount that helps you get back on track.
- Legal Expertise: Attorneys possess extensive knowledge of dog bite laws and legal processes, guaranteeing proficient handling of your case.
- Negotiating with Insurers: They skillfully manage complex discussions with insurance companies, working to secure fair compensation for you.
- Maximizing Compensation: Lawyers accurately assess the value of your claim, including medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering, to ensure you receive the maximum compensation.
- Handling Legal Challenges:They take care of all legal aspects of your case, from filing claims to representing you in court, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
We're here to help.
"Assessing a dog bite claim is challenging. Let us answer your questions - it's free!"
- Do I have a claim?
- How much is it worth?
- What do I do next?
What to do when attacked by a dog.
The Lead-Up To A Bite
If approached by a strange dog or an unleashed dog that is unfamiliar to you, watch for signs of aggression. Do not approach the dog or run from it. Instead, remain calm. Turn to the side, away from the dog, and do not make eye contact. If the dog continues its approach or becomes more aggressive, say the word “No” in a firm voice. If the dog charges you, put any personal effects—such as a purse or a backpack—between you and the dog. Focus on getting away to a safe place as soon as possible. If you are in a public place, call for help and ask others to call 9-1-1 if you have been bitten.
Dealing With A Bite From A Familiar Dog
Many dog bites occur when you are visiting the home of a friend or family member with a dog. Never pet a dog without its owner’s permission and first allowing it to see your hands and smell them. If you have children with you, teach them about safe behavior around dogs, as well.
Call 9-1-1
In the event that you or your child is bit, call 9-1-1 for emergency medical treatment and ask the homeowner to put the dog in a sealed room where it can no longer physically access the victim. Wash the wounds with soap and water and apply pressure to the wound area with a clean cloth. When medical personnel arrive, give them any information you can about the bite, the dog, and if you have an updated rabies / tetanus vaccination.
Document The Situation
Dog bites that occur in the home are most likely covered by either homeowners or renters insurance policies. In fact, given their frequency, dog bites account for about one-third of all homeowners insurance claims. If you have been bitten by a dog in the home of a friend or family member, make sure you have their information, including name, contact information, address, and insurance provider. Take pictures of the bite and the dog, as well as any other physical evidence of the attack. If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog in a public space and that dog has an owner or responsible party present, get their contact information, as well. Have the police file a report when they arrive that reflects who the dog’s owner is and information about the bite and dog. Here, too, pictures taken with your smartphone can help to document the bite, set the scene, and corroborate certain details about the attack.
Call Us Before Talking To An Insurance Company
If covered by their homeowners or renters insurance, the owner’s insurance company will begin an investigation to determine the nature of the incident. As a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, dog owners are liable for any bite caused by a dog—whether or not they knew the dog would bite or become aggressive is irrelevant. However, this law only applies to bites. When it comes to other associated injuries—a concussion or broken wrist from falling down when a dog jumped the victim—the homeowners insurance may try to take steps to limit their liability and their compensation to you. In addition, many homeowners and renters insurance policies have a coverage cap for dog bites. If your medical costs exceed this cap, you may need to take legal action against the dog’s owner to recover compensation. Call Blair & Ramirez LLP at (213) 568-4000 if you or a loved one has been attacked by or bitten by a dog. We are an experienced dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles with a history of recovering millions in compensation for our clients.
Dog Bite Insurance Claim Process
Notice of Intent:
Your attorney will notify the dog owner's insurance company about your intention to pursue a claim for injuries. The insurer will then issue a claim number and assign an adjuster to handle the case.
Statement Recording:
The adjuster may request a recorded statement from you. Be cautious, as these professionals are trained to elicit responses that could weaken your case. Always seek legal advice before providing any statements.
Medical Treatment and Expenses:
In Los Angeles, if the dog owner is liable, their insurance should cover your medical expenses and related costs. Ensure you document all treatments and keep thorough records for your claim.
Initial Settlement Offer:
You might receive an early offer to settle from the adjuster, who aims to resolve the case quickly for a low amount. It's wise to delay any settlement discussions until you have fully completed your medical treatments.
Commencing Negotiations:
After completing your medical treatment, begin the negotiation process by submitting a demand letter along with pertinent documents to the dog owner's insurance company.
Achieving Final Settlement:
Following negotiations, a settlement is often reached. Once the settlement agreement is signed, the payment should be issued to you within a few weeks.
Alternative to Failed Negotiations:
Should negotiations fail, you have options such as arbitration or filing a lawsuit against the dog owner for personal injury.
Calculating Compensation for a Dog Bite
Calculating compensation for a dog bite involves several factors, including:
- Medical Expenses: The cost of immediate and ongoing medical treatment.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for any income lost due to the injury.
- Pain and Suffering: Monetary value assigned to physical and emotional distress.
- Property Damage: Costs for any damaged property during the incident.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or malicious intent by the dog owner.
- Legal Fees: Costs associated with pursuing legal action.
Key Factors Affecting Compensation in a Dog Bite
- Severity of the Injury: The more severe the bite, the higher the compensation. This includes deep wounds, multiple bites, and injuries to sensitive areas.
- Medical Treatment Costs: Immediate medical costs such as emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, and follow-up treatments.
- Long-term Medical Care: Costs for ongoing treatment, including physical therapy, psychological counseling, and any required future surgeries.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement resulting from the bite.
- Infections and Complications: Any additional medical issues arising from the bite, such as infections or the need for extensive wound care.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical and emotional distress caused by the injury and its treatment.
- Recovery Time: The duration of recovery and the impact on the victim's daily life and activities.
Each of these factors is assessed to determine the total medical compensation for a dog bite.
Understanding Your Case
In Los Angeles, common types of dog bite cases include:
- Unprovoked Attacks: When a dog bites a person without any apparent reason or provocation, often leading to significant injuries.
- Children Victims: Dog bites involving children, who are more vulnerable and often sustain severe injuries due to their smaller size and inability to defend themselves.
- Pit Bull Attacks: Incidents involving breeds like pit bulls, which are sometimes associated with more severe bites due to their strength and bite force.
- Off-leash Incidents: Cases where a dog was off-leash in a public area, leading to an unprovoked bite.
- Owner Negligence: Bites that occur due to the owner's failure to control or restrain their dog, including failure to adhere to leash laws or secure their property.
- Trespassing Bites: When a person is bitten while unlawfully on the dog owner's property. Liability may vary depending on the circumstances.
- Service Dog Bites: Incidents involving service animals that bite, which can complicate liability issues due to their specific training and purpose.
- Dog Park Incidents: Bites occurring in dog parks where dogs are off-leash, often involving disputes between dog owners over responsibility.
- Mail Carrier Attacks: Bites involving postal workers or delivery personnel who are frequently at risk due to their job duties.
- Neighbor's Dog: Bites from a neighbor's dog, which can lead to disputes and potential legal action if the dog was known to be aggressive.
Each type of case has unique circumstances that affect liability and potential compensation.
Establishing Liability In Dog Bite Cases
Trespassing
A victim who was trespassing on private property at the time of the bite or attack would not be able to hold the dog’s owner liable. This is intended to protect dog owners from situations in which a home invader is attacked by a dog while unlawfully on the dog owner’s property.
However, there are potential gray areas here: not all private property is fenced off, and some unfenced private property abuts up against public space, such as sidewalks or hiking trails. Where the attack occurred and where the victim was at the time could establish the liability of the dog’s owner.
Dogs At Work
Police and military dogs are also typically exempted from the strict liability statutes. A police dog that bites an individual pursued by police may not be subject to the same rules as a privately owned dog that bites a victim.
There are two rules that apply here. First, when the bite occurs, the dog must be “on duty” carrying out a specific task it was trained to do. Second, the department or government entity with ownership over the dog needs to have specific policies that govern how their dogs work and are trained.
Choose Us To Represent Your Dog Bite Case
Call Us 24/7
(213) 568-4000