Dogs are a popular pet the world over, but a bad owner can turn even the most docile pup into a serious threat. When canines attack they can cause tremendous harm, their teeth ripping through flesh, tearing muscles, and severing arteries. Victims often suffer catastrophic injuries and permanent scarring. Were you the victim of an animal attack? Turn to our El Monte dog bite attorneys to discuss your options. 

In California, dog owners are strictly liable for any damage their pets cause, so they will likely still be on the hook for your losses even if the dog doesn’t have a history of aggressive or violent behavior. At HPIL, our attorneys can help you build a strong case against the owner, gathering the necessary evidence to demonstrate liability, causation, and damages. Reach out to us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS to get started.  

How Can I Strengthen My Personal Injury Claim? 

If you’re planning to file a personal injury claim, you may be wondering how you can improve your chances of achieving a favorable outcome. While your attorney will oversee the logistics of your case, there are a few ways you could help bolster your chances of success, such as:[Text Wrapping Break] 

• Interview Eyewitnesses: It’s difficult to remember what you had for lunch last week, let alone what happened in an animal attack months ago. As such, it’s important to interview eyewitnesses as soon as possible so that they don’t forget important details about the incident. If you were able to obtain the names and contact details of any onlookers, you should share these with your attorney. He or she can reach out to them as soon as possible, recording statements while their memories are still fresh.  

• Compile Time-Sensitive Evidence: From eyewitness accounts to surveillance camera footage, much of the evidence you might need to prove your claim can be time-sensitive. In the aftermath of the attack, you should act quickly to gather this evidence before it is altered, destroyed, or becomes unavailable for any other reason. For instance, you should take pictures of the area where you were attacked to help demonstrate that you weren’t trespassing. 

• Track Your Damages Carefully: You can only recover compensation for losses you can prove, so you will need to ensure that you’ve gathered and compiled the necessary evidence to demonstrate your damages. Examples of such proof might include your medical records, paystubs, letters from your employer, receipts for replacement services, and invoices for repairs. 

• Start a Personal Injury Journal: Entries in this journal are a widely accepted way to prove non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment in life, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. You should write in this journal on a daily basis, making sure to keep records of your pain levels, doctor’s appointments, limitations stemming from your injuries, and medication side effects. 

How to Mitigate Your Damages after an Animal Attack 

Claimants have a strict responsibility to take steps to mitigate losses. Simply put, you should do everything in your power to avoid incurring additional damages and should never take actions that might aggravate your injuries or cause other health complications. Signs that you failed in your duty could be used as evidence to reduce your financial award or even deny your claim.  

Let’s look at a few ways you can mitigate your losses after a wreck:

• Seek Medical Treatment Immediately: Delaying a diagnosis could lead you to suffer additional health complications, make it difficult to tie your injuries to the incident, and might result in disputes over failure to mitigate damages. As such, you should schedule a doctor’s appointment immediately after leaving the scene even if your injuries don’t appear to be that serious. There are many serious injuries that may only manifest symptoms a few days later.  

• Stick to Your Treatment Plan: Undergoing a medical assessment is only the first step in your duty to mitigate damages. Once you’ve received a diagnosis, you will need to follow your doctor’s orders closely as straying from their instructions could leave you in the crosshairs of the insurer. For instance, if you ignored your doctor’s orders to rest and returned to work early, the insurer might argue that your actions aggravated your injuries. In such situations, you may be held liable for a portion of your damages. 

• Don’t Outsource Tasks You Can Tackle Yourself: In California, personal injury victims can seek compensation for the cost of reasonably necessary replacement services such as meal preparation, housekeeping, and gardening. However, if your doctor has given you the all-clear to handle some of these chores on your own, you shouldn’t hire someone to step in. If it emerges that you could’ve overseen certain tasks by yourself but brought in outside help, the insurer may refuse to compensate you for such services. 

Discuss Your Situation with a Dog Bite Attorney in El Monte 

We are available to take your calls 24/7, and if you can’t visit our offices, our attorneys can come to you. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or tap through to our Contact Form to lock in a free case review.