Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney
Most of the time, when encountering a domesticated animal, you will have a pleasant experience; however, this is not always the case and you may find yourself in a search for the best dog attack lawyer in Los Angeles. Farshad Dehbozorgi will get to the bottom of this animal attack and work with you to get the compensation that is owed to you.
Dog Bite Attorney Los Angeles
If you take a look at the statistics surrounding dog bites, you will find an alarming number of attacks with several ending in fatality. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates that approximately 85 million domesticated canines live in United States households and that millions of people --mostly children-- are bitten each year.
These frightening experiences can not only leave you with physical damage, but also mental trauma. E5quire Law, on top of fighting for you in court, can help you find the best medical professionals for your body and mind.
Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage
Many United States homeowners are required to carry homeowners insurance to cover them for unexpected damage to the home, theft or loss of possessions, and liability for harm caused on the property. In some cases, the insurance will cover harm caused by domestic animals to individuals who do not reside in the home.
It is unfortunate, however, that the frequency of dog bites in the home has led to insurance companies removing this specific liability coverage from homeowner’s insurance policies. The alternative is to require that owners of pets that have potential to do harm sign a waiver that requires them to take full liability for domestic animal attacks that occur on their property.
According to an analysis by the Insurance Information Institute, 29 states hold homeowners liable for dog bites, 17 do not assign liability immediately, and 4 have no liability laws regarding dog attacks.
In any of these situations, it is important that you speak with an attorney regarding the proper steps forward.
Dog Bites in California
The statute covering dog bites in Los Angeles, California is Civil Code 3342. Stated within the statute are all of the circumstances regarding liability of the owner of a dog that causes harm to a person in a public space or legally residing on private property.
If a dog bites you and does not break the skin or physically hits you by jumping or running into you, so long as it is the result of negligence by the owner, it still can be considered an attack and can potentially leave you eligible for compensation.
California Law also states that there is no need for a history of aggression, unlike many other states. Unfortunately, often the owner of the canine may try to prove that you were trespassing or threatening the dog or owner, if they can prove this it may result in lower compensation.
If the dog attack happens to be by a trained military or law enforcement canine, the only time it is considered eligible for compensation under this statute is when the dog is not on duty. However, if the law enforcement officer seems to have been negligent in their use of the canine, it would be worth contacting our office to discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first course of action after any injury is to assess the damage done to you and tend to any immediate medical intervention needed. The second recommended action should be to write down the course of events while they are fresh in your mind. The final immediate action should be to consult with your attorney about what to do next.
Some injuries are not present on the surface and sometimes the harm can be psychological. Tissue damage under the surface of your skin and damage to ligaments and bone can occur without damaging your epidermis. Also, you may find that this attack imposed a negative impact upon you mental health, such as PTSD. It is still advisable to speak with your attorney before writing off the incident.
It is never advisable to settle outside of court without legal guidance on the issue beforehand from your attorney. Farshad knows all of the tricks that individuals try to pull to stay out of trouble and avoid legal responsibility and can help you navigate the situation.