Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer
Currently in the United States, industry experts estimate there are 74.8 million dogs owned throughout the United States. With so many dogs in close contact with humans every day, dog bites are inevitably going to occur. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a dog bite injury is not something that simply goes away with time. In fact, the costs associated with dog bite attacks in the United States annually round out to more than one billion dollars a year. Additionally, dog bites can cause serious medical trauma to victims, and in some instances, dog bites and dog attacks can cause death. In the United States in 2007, 32 individuals were fatally attacked by dogs, as well as an estimated 4.7 million other dog bite injuries incurred by victims that year as well. These injuries can cause serious medical trauma, including rehabilitative and corrective surgeries to minimize the disfigurement and scarring in victims. The sad reality of dog bite attacks is that many breeds of dogs will bite in the face or neck areas out of instinct, which in turn can cause permanent and painful scarring in victims that will last the rest of their lives. This pain and suffering, not to mention the costs associated with addressing these medical emergencies, should never be a burden bore solely by victims or their loved ones. An alarming number of dog bite injuries require immediate medical attention in the emergency room for injuries and wounds. An estimated one in every six dog bites will require prolonged medical attention and hospital stays for victims. For owners of dogs that have attacked victims, a varying level of fault and liability may be assessed in the civil courts that can result in damage awards to victims and their loved ones. In some of the more grievous cases, criminal charges can prove applicable to owners that allowed a menacing or dangerous dog to be in contact with humans as well. Some of the types of insurance coverage that will cover damage awards to victims of dog bite attacks may include: - Homeowners insurance
- Commercial general liability insurance
- Landlord and tenant insurance
- Pet owners insurance
- Employment insurance
All of these insurance types, as well as personal assets of pet owners, can be subject to providing compensation to victims of dog bites. In many cases, victims tend to be elderly individuals and children, whom cannot generally be held at fault for dog bite injuries. The civil courts will recognize this limited level of fault and generally do award damages accordingly. A Los Angeles dog bites lawyer will assist victims and their family members in retaining the financial compensation they rightfully deserve following a dog bite attack in Southern California. |
