Dog Bites
There currently are 74.8 million dogs in the USA. (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey.) We are a nation of dog owners and our pets bring us joy, unconditional love and years of companionship. Unfortunately, about 1 in every 60 people is also seriously bitten by a dog each year in the United States. Young children are among the most frequent victims.
A dog bite can cause serious permanent injuries. Unfortunately, these attacks often involve small children. As soon as possible, report the incident to the local animal control and/or police department or any other proper legal authority. As long as you are on either public property or legally on private property, the dog owner could be held responsible. It doesn't matter whether the dog has former vicious incidents. If you were bitten, and you were the first person ever bitten by the dog, you can still proceed with a claim. As long as you did not provoke the dog, then you would possibly be entitled to damages.
Injuries from dog bites can be extremely serious, and can cost the victim large sums of money due to medical bills. In addition, dog bites may cause strong emotional trauma to young children and adults. Children and adults who have been bitten by a dog may experience loss of sleep, fear of dogs, and general trepidation. As stated previously, it is important for anyone who has suffered from a serious dog bite injury to seek an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney is invaluable in sorting through state laws regarding dogs, gathering and evaluating medical information and negotiating with dog owners or insurance companies. In addition, an experienced trial lawyer may be able to obtain a higher money judgment at trial by bringing attention to such issues as emotional distress, scaring, disfigurement, loss of income, and overall economic damages.
Frequently, a serious dog bite is inflicted by a family pet or the beloved pet of a neighbor, family member or close friend. In such cases, they can work in as amicable a manner as possible to file a claim against a homeowner's insurance policy. If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, contact the Law Offices of Ashwani K. Bhakhri at 650-697-0346 for a confidential appointment to discuss your rights.
"More than 1 out of 5 people who suffer dog bite injuries need medical treatment."
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Legal Resources:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• U.S. Supreme Court "Supreme Court of the United States"
Other Legal Reference Links:
Other Sources: