Azusa Dog Bite Attorneys

While most dogs are loyal, loveable, and boundlessly energetic, it’s not unheard of for even the most docile breeds to turn violent. Dog bites can lead to serious health complications such as infections, excessive bleeding, broken bones, and permanent scarring. If you were the victim of an animal attack, it’s likely you’ve incurred thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Our Azusa dog bite attorneys can assess your situation to determine whether you have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner. Harris Personal Injury Lawyers is a practice committed to helping personal injury victims and their families fight for fair compensation. Over the years, we have helped recover more than $300 million in settlements and court verdicts for our clients. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to discuss your options with our dog bite attorneys.  

Who Could Be Held Liable for My Damages?

In most animal attack cases the liable party will be the animal’s owner. However, there are a few exceptions that might apply. Other individuals or entities that could be responsible for some or all of your damages may include:

• The Landlord: As the owner of the property, the landlord has a legal right to order the removal of a dangerous dog from their land. As a result, if the landlord knew that the animal posed a threat to people—even if the dog belongs to a tenant—the landlord could be held liable for some of your damages.

• The Dog’s Caretaker: If someone else was taking care of the animal when it attacked you, this individual could be held liable for your losses. However, the caretaker is only responsible if they were made previously aware that the dog was dangerous.

• The Landlord of a Commercial Property: The owner of a commercial property has a duty to inspect their buildings and land for any hazards such as the presence of dangerous animals. If a tenant of a commercial property keeps a dog on the land and it attacks a patron, the owner of the commercial property could be liable for the victim’s damages—even if he or she was not aware that the violent animal was on their property.

• Property Owners: If a dangerous animal escapes due to a defect on the property—such as a gap in the wall or faulty electric gate—the owner could be held liable if the animal attacks someone outside of the property.

How Our Dog Bite Attorneys Can Help

Dogs can cause serious damage when they attack. Bites can leave behind deep puncture wounds, crush bones, and tear through tissue. Some injuries are debilitating, with the victims suffering permanent disfigurement and long-term health complications. If you were bitten by a dog, it is only natural to feel scared and overwhelmed. After all, few of us are prepared for an animal attack, so when man’s best friend becomes your biggest threat, you might not know what to do next. At HPI, our attorneys can help guide you through this challenging chapter of your life. We have decades of collective experience representing dog bite victims and their families, arming us with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed in such cases. Let us look at a few more ways we can assist with your animal attack claim: 

• Conduct a Thorough Investigation: While it may seem clear to you that the dog’s owner was negligent, opposing parties may still dispute liability and damages. Ultimately, they will want to reduce how much they pay out. As such, it is important to conduct an in-depth investigation and gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case. At HPI, we give each case the attention it deserves. Not only will we thoroughly investigate the animal attack, but we will also consult with expert witnesses if necessary to help identify the liable parties and estimate fair compensation for the damages you have incurred.

• Estimate the Value of Your Damages: Recoverable costs in a dog bite case aren’t only limited to the direct medical costs of treating your injuries. Based on your circumstances, you may be able to seek compensation for many different types of damages, including pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, and others. At HPI, our attorneys can assess your situation to determine which damages may be available to you and your family. We can also help obtain medical records, financial documents, and other important evidence that could help prove the value of such losses. If, for instance, your injuries have affected your income earning capacity, we might bring in financial and vocational experts to approximate the value of wages and benefits you are reasonably likely to lose in the future.

• Negotiate a Fair Settlement: The insurer’s first offer is rarely, if ever, fair. Paying out an offer affects their bottom line, so claims adjusters are often incentivized to find any reason to devalue claims. As such, it can often take weeks—if not months—to negotiate a reasonable sum. At HPI, our attorneys can oversee negotiations so you can focus on your health and well-being. We can help you determine if an offer is fair or not, and develop strategies to counter any disputes that might arise during proceedings.

Connect With a Dog Bite Attorney in Azusa

If you were bitten by a dog, our attorneys are here to help guide you through the claims process. Reach us on 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head to our Online Form to pencil in a free case evaluation.