Avalon Dog Bite Attorneys

They may be known as man’s best friend, but dog bites are commonplace in California. These unexpected attacks can lead to serious health complications for the victims, with some suffering permanent scarring, puncture wounds, eye injuries, and broken bones. If you were attacked by a dog, you might be able to recover compensation from the owner for the damage their animal has caused. Our Avalon dog bite attorneys can help guide you through this process, providing guidance, support, and representation at each step of proceedings.  At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we have a track record of success representing dog bite and accident victims, helping many of our clients secure six- and seven-figure financial awards. If you would like to set up a free case review, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS today. We are available 24/7 to take your calls.

How Much Is My Dog Attack Case Worth?

If you were attacked by a dog, you know how traumatic this experience can be. Even smaller breeds can cause serious damage with just a single bite, ripping through tissue, muscles, and arteries. Not only are many dog bite injuries expensive to treat, but they can also lead to serious limitations that may affect your ability to earn a living and return to your normal routines. It’s not uncommon for victims to incur thousands of dollars in medical expenses and other costs after suffering a dog bite. As such, one of the first questions many of our clients ask is, “How much is my claim worth?”. While we would love to guarantee a successful outcome in your case, there are countless factors that could affect how your claim unfolds. Let’s look at some of the factors that could affect the value of your financial award:

• Extent of Your Injuries: Not all dog bites are serious; some may only lead to minor injuries that do not require treatment and take just a few days to heal. However, a bite can also cause scarring, disfigurement, and broken bones—injuries that are not only expensive to treat but can also lead to serious limitations and significant pain and suffering. As such, the more serious your condition, the more you likely stand to gain in the form of a settlement or verdict.

• Pain and Suffering: Suffering a dog bite is a traumatic moment that can lead to long-term pain and suffering and a host of other psychological issues. Your injuries may limit you in a number of ways, affecting your ability to earn a living, enjoy your favorite pastimes, and fulfil your role as a parent. Calculating the value of these psychological scars isn’t as easy as quantifying lost earnings or medical bills, but you still have a right to seek compensation for these intangible losses. Your lawyer may suggest that you track your symptoms, limitations, and pain levels in a personal injury journal to help paint a clear picture of how your injuries have affected your quality of life. He or she may also depose expert witnesses who can help prove the severity of your condition.

• Lost Earnings: If you were unable to return to work after the animal attack, you may have lost days, weeks, or even months of income. Fortunately, these lost wages may be recoverable as part of your dog bite case. Additionally, if your condition has reduced your income earning potential—i.e., you won’t be able to return to the same field of work you were in prior to the attack—you may also be able to pursue damages for loss of future earnings.

What Should I Do After an Animal Attack?

Animal attacks rarely happen, so most victims are ill-prepared for what to do after suffering a dog bite. However, taking the right steps after this traumatic event is not only crucial to your well-being, but could also help build a strong foundation for your personal injury case. Let’s look at a few steps you should take after a dog bite:

• Exchange Information with the Dog’s Owner: After a car wreck, we all know that it’s important to swap contact details and coverage information with the other motorist. A dog bite incident is no different. Doing so will make it easier for your attorney to reach out to the animal’s owner and their insurer when they start investigating your claim.

• Speak to Eyewitnesses: Whether you were attacked at a dog park, in the street, or on someone else’s property, there’s always a chance someone saw what happened. Eyewitness accounts can corroborate your version of events, helping you prove liability and damages. As such, you should take down contact details and eyewitness statements of anyone who saw the attack occur. Your attorney may want to interview these onlookers to determine whether their deposition could be useful to your case.

• Visit the Doctor: A dog bite can cause puncture wounds that can become infected without treatment. An animal attack can also lead to disfigurement or permanent scarring, excessive bleeding, and damage to your ligaments, muscles, or tendons. As such, you should always visit the doctor after suffering a dog bite, even if your injuries don’t seem serious. Not only will doing so ensure that you receive immediate treatment to avoid additional health complications, but you will also have access to medical records to prove your damages and show that your injuries are connected to the animal attack. The insurance company will want to see your medical records before agreeing to a settlement.

• Report the Attack to Animal Control: Reporting the dog bite to your local animal control agency may prompt an investigation into the incident. The agency’s findings could help you prove your claim against the negligent dog owner. For instance, it’s possible that this isn’t the first time the dog has injured someone.

Find a Dog Bite Attorney in Avalon Today

A dog bite can put your life on hold, forcing you to take time off work to let your injuries heal and pay thousands of dollars for treatment. Whether it’s gathering evidence or litigating your case, our attorneys know what it takes to succeed at all stages of proceedings. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or flip over to our online contact form to book a free case review.