This is bad for basic; it can lead to severe physical injuries and emotional trauma and thus involve huge expenses. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Los Angeles, it is crucial to know how to go about it in terms of compensation. A Los Angeles dog bite lawyer will enable you to understand the legal processes and get the proper compensation.
At The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg, we focus on representing victims of dog bites to ensure they get the compensation they deserve. Here are the essential things to know about what to do and what to expect after a dog bite injury.
Understanding Your Legal Rights as a Dog Bite Victim
If you are a victim of a dog bite in LA, you must have adequate knowledge of your legal rights. In California, the dog owner is deemed entirely responsible for any bite on any person, no matter the dog’s previous behavior or vicious propensity. This is called “strict liability,” where California Civil Code Section 3342 applies.
Even if a bite occurred on the land belonging to the tortfeasor, you have the right to file for compensation. It would help if you spoke to a Los Angeles dog bite attorney to help you determine your legal rights and entitlements, given the effect the injury has on your life.
How a Dog Bite Attorney Can Maximize Your Compensation
Various concerns may influence the damages received after a dog bite. California’s Los Angeles personal injury attorney, who generally handles dog bites, understands the multiple elements involved in this case and can thus boost the chances of success.
An experienced dog bite attorney will work to:
Investigate the incident: An investigation involving appearance, speakers, doctors’ reports, and photographs is crucial in arguing your case.
Assess your damages: This encompasses estimates of medical costs now and in the future, lost earnings, future care needs, and the effect of injury on the victim’s functioning.
Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurance adjusters are expected to avoid awarding claims for as much as possible. Negotiation is another power tool in the hands of a professional lawyer who will fight for a reasonable amount that will correlate to your losses.
Pursue a lawsuit if necessary: If an out-of-court settlement is impossible, a dog bite lawyer can file a lawsuit for you to get the compensation needed.
Los Angeles dog bite lawyer helps you ensure that all possible ways of bringing justice are taken and that every measure is covered.
What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite Injury
The measures to be taken after a dog bite are very important because they help determine the prospects of the victim seeking compensation. Here’s what to do right after the injury:
Seek medical attention: No matter the severity of the wound, one needs to undergo medical treatment. A dog bite can cause serious health problems, including skin infection, deep tissue infection, and nerve injury, which do not show initial symptoms.
Document the incident: Report the injury and the scene of the attack through photographs. Also, it is essential to know where the attack occurred, who witnessed it, and the dog’s reaction.
Report the bite: Contact police or animal regulation agencies. Informing a third party can be crucial in building a documented case of the attack that can save lives in the future.
Gather information about the dog and owner: Whenever possible, ask for the owner’s identification with the necessary contact information, breed of the dog, vaccination history, and history of previous incidents of aggression on the part of the dog.
These actions immediately help establish legal grounds for compensation; therefore, contacting a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer is essential.
Proving Liability: Who Is Responsible for Your Dog Bite Injury?
Assessing responsibility is a valuable stage in getting compensation. In most situations, the dog’s owner is usually responsible for the incident, mainly if reckless with the animal. However, establishing negligence may sometimes be challenging, especially when issues have to do with the dog’s behavior, or the incident that led to the injury occurred in another person’s compound.
To establish liability, your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will need to demonstrate:
- The dog’s owner was negligent. This could have included not muzzling the dog, releasing the dog off the leash, or not acting on signs of aggression in regions where they find them.
- The dog’s history of aggression: This can be particularly true if the dog had been involved in earlier cases where it showed aggression and biting; the owner would thus be to blame for failing to handle the animal as should be expected.
- The incident occurred in a public or private place where the dog should have been controlled: In addition to work compensation, if the injury occurred on the property owned by somebody else, then the property owner may also be held legally responsible.
A dog bite attorney in Los Angeles will gather all circumstances and evidence that supports an incident and strengthens your case.
Conclusion
If you have been an unfortunate victim of a savage dog attack, you must sue within a certain period to avoid being locked out of any compensation. Speaking with a seasoned Los Angeles dog bite lawyer is the best because it helps you deal with the assurance that you have competent lawyers fighting for your compensation.
If you are a dog bite victim in Los Angeles, there is no better legal representation than the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg. They fully grasp California’s dog bite laws, and these attorneys have been practicing and winning cases accordingly; they can guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the highest settlement possible.
Do not lose your right to seek legal help and compensation any longer—call the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg to schedule a meeting now.
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