Los Angeles Catastrophic Dog Bite Lawyer

Dogs are capable of causing serious injuries. Victims of dog attacks may suffer from significant bites, scratches, and more, leading to pain, suffering, and psychological distress. Sometimes, dog attacks may even cause catastrophic injuries that lead to serious infections, amputations, or even death.

As a Los Angeles catastrophic dog bite lawyer could explain, state law protects victims of dog attacks. If you or a loved one were harmed by a dog, you may be able to recover damages as part of a personal injury lawsuit. At CD Law, our attorneys have the experience needed to pursue dog bite claims.

What Is Strict Liability for Catastrophic Dog Bites?

Dog owners are held to a strict liability standard regarding dog bites. This means an owner cannot avoid responsibility by claiming ignorance of their dog’s aggressive tendencies. Consequently, the owner is liable for all damages caused by a dog bite, even if the dog has no prior history of biting. The statute applies any time the bite victim was in public or lawfully in a private place, which describes houseguests, hired workers, or people such as postal workers delivering the mail or utility workers who are permitted to be at someone’s home.

Even though the state is strict about holding owners responsible for dog bites, this statute does not necessarily cover all injuries caused by dogs. For example, if a dog jumps on a person and knocks them down, breaking their hip, the dog bite statute does not apply. However, if a bite is involved at any time during the confrontation with the dog, your Los Angeles attorney could claim that the statute should apply, even if the bite did not break your skin or was not what caused your most catastrophic injuries.

Filing a Lawsuit After a Catastrophic Dog Bite

Dog bite claims, like other personal injury cases, must be filed within a two-year statute of limitations. This means, in most cases, you have to file your complaint in the appropriate court within two years of being bitten. This is one reason why you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible after you are injured.

Contacting a personal injury attorney right away could also help preserve evidence while the incident is still recent. Important evidence in any personal injury lawsuit includes photographs or videos, eyewitness statements, written descriptions of what occurred, and medical evidence. Since you may be unable to gather this information on your own after you have suffered a serious dog bite injury, your Los Angeles lawyer could obtain it for you.

After a dog bite, you should immediately seek medical attention so that records are established early. These records will eventually be an essential part of establishing the damages owed to you. These may include monetary damages for expenses such as doctor bills and lost wages as well as non-monetary damages for pain, suffering, scarring, and anxiety.

Contact a Los Angeles Attorney To Discuss Your Catastrophic Dog Bite Case

If you or someone in your family suffered a serious injury because of a dog bite, a Los Angeles catastrophic dog bite lawyer from our firm could help you obtain the compensation you deserve. We could listen to the details of your situation and advise you about whether filing a lawsuit makes sense, given the strength of your case and the amount of your damages. Contact our personal injury team at CD Law today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how state law applies to dogs and their owners.