Getting bitten by a dog can bring significant losses for you or your loved ones due to the trauma inured and the medical expenses you will have to cover. In other cases, it can also be the cause of getting permanently scarred or disfigured. Getting bitten by a dog makes you eligible for settlement in the form of compensation that covers your losses. A Palm Springs dog bite lawyer can help when you have been the victim of a dog attack. More than 36% of households in the United States have at least one dog. Although they have been known to be a source of joy for many people, not all the canines’ interactions are positive. Several dog breeds have been known to have a propensity to bite or get vicious. The result is millions of dog bites across the country each year. One out of five dog bites is severe enough to require medical attention. At the Crocket Law Group, our Palm Springs personal injury attorneys are well versed in the complexities of dog bite cases. Give us a call today at (800) 900-9393 to schedule a free case review.
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What Should I Do if a Dog bit me?
The first steps following a dog bite are preventing infection and treating the injuries. It should start with washing the wound and using a clean cloth to slow the bleeding. If you have an antibiotic, clean it on the wound before wrapping it nicely using a sterile bandage. Keep the wound bandaged in this manner until you see your doctor. The dressing ensures that your wound gets a chance to heal and prevents the possibility of any further infection. In case the owner of the dog is nearby, ask for the vaccination history of the dog. Also, obtain the owner’s name, number, and contact information of their veterinarian. Ask for some ID to confirm and prove their identity. If the dog was not in someone’s company, ask any witnesses if they know where the owner lives.Who do I Report a Dog Bite to in the State of California?
California’s law requires that the victims of a dig bite and the owner of the dog report canine bites to the local county health officer. The reporting is required to ensure that the canine involved is not carrying the rabies virus.Why Should I Hire a Palm Springs Dog Bite Lawyer?
After incurring a dog bite injury, it can be hard and confusing to navigate the legal options all on your own. It is still possible to file the claim on your own, but it is much better to negotiate a fair settlement amount when you have a Palm Springs dog bite lawyer at your side. The lawyer is responsible for offering the necessary guidance that you will require following the dog bite incident. They also provide more benefits in the dog bite case, such as negotiating a proper settlement amount on your behalf. Their experience in the legal field has enabled them to know what is fair and what is not. As such, the dog bite lawyer will negotiate a better settlement amount for your case and the process will take less time compared to when you decide to pursue the claims all by yourself. Other services that an injury lawyer will provide you include:- Explain to you the dog bite laws of your state
- Guide you with the legal requirements for preparing a statement
- Gather enough evidence that will be useful in supporting your position
- Consulting animal experts and other professionals in the legal field
- Negotiating on your behalf and getting a better settlement from the dog owner’s insurance carrier
Experience
Specific experience in taking care of dog bite injury cases is essential and improves your chances of getting compensated in the claim.References from Past Clients
These are useful in offering insight into what you should expect from the attorney. A former client can vouch for the lawyer’s experience and their success in securing fair compensation for their clients.Ask for a Free Consultation
When faced with several options, consider asking for a free consultation. The consultation will provide you with an idea of the kind of services you should expect. You should have no problem with this as most law offices offer an initial free consultation.Who is Responsible for Dog Bite Injuries?
Typically, dog owners are responsible for bites and injuries that their animals cause. However, in other situations, someone else can be held liable. For instance, a situation where someone else had care or control over the dog at the time of the incident, or the dog’s owner is below 18 years old. In both cases, the dog owners will not be held responsible for the dog bite injuries. The law can get pretty complicated for some of the cases, especially when it is not the dog’s owner facing a lawsuit. Liability usually depends on the local laws and how state courts interpret them. The circumstances involved in the injury incident will also factor into who is held liable for the events. Having a lawyer protect your rights is essential, and they will be sure to explain how the law applies to you and the defenses you have.What Type of Compensation can I expect in a Dog Bite Case?
Victims of attacks by canines are eligible for several damages. The damages usually depend on the extent of the losses and the severity of the biting incident. Some of the compensations that you can expect in the event of a dog bite injury include:-
- Medical and surgical costs
- Projected medical expenses if the injuries were severe enough to warrant long-term care. Subsequent visits to the doctor should cover all the costs that you will incur
- Lost wages. Missing work resulting from the injury and the inability to work following the injury should be compensated
- Emotional distress after the canine attack should also be compensated
- Most dog bite injury claims also cover pain and suffering costs while you remember and recover from the incident
Local Results
Woman Received $300,000 Settlement After Falling, Breaking Wrist Due to Dog Attack Knocking Her Over
Case Type | Dog Bite |
Location | Palm Springs, CA |
Settlement | $300,000.00 |