When faced with a legal problem, consulting with an attorney sooner rather than later will often save you time, trouble, and money in the end.
Dog attacks are more common than you might think. Most of the attacks result in little kids being hurt and quite seriously as well. Anyone suffering an injury from a dog bite must take the right steps. However, following those steps can be difficult, particularly at a time when all you want to do is focus on getting better, or helping your injured child recover. Our attorneys have offered help to dog bite victims for quite a long time now. We pride ourselves on helping all of our clients with our specialized services.
Contact an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer at Motorcycle Accident Attorney Orange County
If you or someone you know is the victim of a dog bite, it is very important that you contact a dog bite lawyer. These dog bite lawyers have the right knowledge to help fight your case.
You should be focusing on feeling better, not fighting a case by yourself. Contact an experienced dog bite lawyer at Motorcycle Accident Attorney Orange County today at 1-888-823-7751.
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If you have been injured as a result of the wrongdoing of another, you could be entitled to monetary compensation. Contact The Law Offices of Motorcycle Accident Attorney Orange County today to set up a free consultation!
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Best Dog Bite Injury Attorney in Orange County, CA
Dog bites and injuries have increased in recent times as more dog owners are emerging. When there is a dog injury, the owner of such a dog may have to pay compensation for damages suffered by the victim. As simple as this may sound, it can get very difficult if you are not familiar with dog bite laws by state. To be sure you are on the safe side of getting the compensation you deserve from a dog bite injury, you need a dog bite injury attorney in Orange County, CA.
A dog injury lawyer will ensure that your case is carefully analyzed and your best interest is represented in a settlement. This attorney is one who is skilled in California dog bite law and can make sure you are fully represented when there is an incident. There are several reasons why you need a dog bite injury attorney. However, before we examine how to find the best dog bite injury attorney in Orange County, CA, let us look at the compensation for a dog attack.
Compensation for Dog Attack
Statistics have it that more than 800,000 victims of dog bites yearly in the United States require treatment. Asides from dog bites, other injuries can be suffered from altercations with dogs. In determining what the compensation for a dog attack is, there are certain factors to be considered. These factors include the circumstances of each case and the relevant dog bite laws by state.
Notwithstanding any of these, dog owners or their insurance companies are liable for any injury caused to a person by their dogs. Damages that are being compensated in a dog bite or injury incident includes:
Cost Incurred for Medical Bills
As a general rule of law, a person is liable and responsible for all injuries that result from their actions to another person. This has nothing to do with the pre-existing conditions of the victim’s health before the injury. One of the major expenses that result from dog injuries is that of medical costs. This includes the cost of hospital services, therapy, medication, and doctor’s bills.
The dog owner or his/her insurance company will be responsible for all medical bills spent by the victim for treatment of dog bites or injuries.
Award for Pain and Suffering Caused by the Injury
Pain and suffering are always associated with dog bites or injuries. This pain could take the form of physical, mental, emotional, or psychological pain. The pain of the bite or extensive medical treatment could result in emotional distress. For individuals with weak emotional quotients, the anxiety, shock, and depression from the incident could cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Compensation can be claimed for current pain and suffering from the incident as well as future pain and suffering. Unlike medical bills or other damages, measuring the cost of pain and suffering can be difficult. However, lawyers and insurance companies have a way of measuring compensation for this when arriving at a settlement. Factors that are used to measure pain and suffering in a dog incident includes a multiplier, permanent disability and disfigurement suffered, as well as non-economic damages.
Income Lost from Time Away from Work
Many victims of dog injuries have to take out time from work to get medical treatment and recuperate from the incident. For many, this time away from work may be extended due to the effect of the shock suffered from the incident. For this period spent away from work, the victim is entitled to compensation for income lost during this time. In calculating this cost, the number of days spent away from work is considered against the usual pay of the victim.
Where the victim becomes incapacitated and unable to work due to the incident, the victim can be compensated for a loss in earning capacity.
Multiple Damages Suffered
For many states, there is a law called the “dangerous dog laws” which covers dogs that have been declared as dangerous dogs. Where a dog has been declared as dangerous or vicious, the owner has to exercise care in watching such a dog. Where such dog bites or injures a person, the owner may be charged double compensation. This is because these dangerous dog laws provide that owners of these dogs are liable for multiple damages when the incident is not the first.
Punitive Damages Suffered
There are strict guidelines to be followed by dog owners. Where a dog incident is a result of the careless or reckless act of the owner, such person will be liable for punitive damages. This damage will include an additional cost on the initial compensation the victim is entitled to. Under some state dog laws, these punitive damages are referred to as exemplary damages. The essence of punitive damages is to deter other dog owners from being reckless in how they handle their dogs.
Do Dogs Bite People Often?
According to an estimate made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US records about 4.7 million dog bites every year. Of these 4.7 million people, about 800,000 gets worse and require medical attention. This puts a lot of burden on dog owners and insurance companies.
However, while there are many cases of dog bites, not all of these cases get the settlement they deserve. This is so because many of these victims get poor legal representation while others don’t even get any at all. Dog owners and insurance companies always seek for ways to deny claims when there is an incident, and with poor representation, you might not get any compensation in the end.
Dog Bite Cases and Homeowners Insurance
Many dog owners have insurance policies for their dogs. There are however some owners without a coverage plan which makes seeking compensation difficult. So how does a victim of a dog bite go about compensation from an owner who does not have insurance coverage? All you need to do is have your attorney draft a claim against the owner of the dog directly seeking compensation for damages.
One of the duties of a dog bite defense attorney is to find out whether the dog owner is insured or not. They do this by going through the declarations page of animal or renter’s insurance. Where a dog owner denies having insurance, an attorney can ascertain this at the discovery phase by speaking to the insurance company.
Dog Attack Liability
Liability for a dog attack differs based on the dog bite laws by state. According to the California dog bite law, the owner of the dog is the defendant in the case. The circumstances of every case are what determines the degree of the defendant’s liability. For many dog laws, the owner of a dog bears the full liability of any action carried out on a third party by their dogs. In bearing liability, it doesn’t matter whether or not the owner of the dog is aware of its actions or not.
Notwithstanding that the dog owner is always liable, there is an exception to this rule. Where a dog bite happens in the premises of the dog owner to a victim, not below the game of 6, the owner may not be liable. This exception is more viable when there is a warning in a prominent place in the home of the presence of a dog.
How Do I Find the Best Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me?
A dog bite lawyer Los Angeles might be easy to find for those who know where to look. However, for many others, the big question on their minds for a long time is – how do I find the best dog bite lawyer near me? In finding a good dog injury lawyer to represent you where there is an incident, here are 3 factors you should consider:
How Well Does the Attorney Know the Dog Bite Laws of The State?
Dog bite laws by state differ and in finding an attorney to represent you, you must be sure that such a person is fully aware of these laws and can use them in your favor. Reading through the profiles and portfolios of many dog bite lawyers in California can help you ascertain their knowledge of the relevant laws as well as their application of these laws.
What Is the Relationship of The Attorney with His Client Like?
A good attorney-client relationship is one of the factors to be considered when looking for a dog bite injury lawyer. It is always best for you to go for a lawyer you can reach immediately there is an incident. This way, you have the upper hand over insurance companies looking to deny claims and reduce the amount of compensation you should be entitled to.
How Does the Attorney Charge for Services Offer?
While some attorneys charge upfront for the services they offer, others charge a percentage of the settlement. The best dog bite lawyer for you is one that can consider your financial capacity when deciding how best to charge you. Always make sure to reach a service fee agreement from the start when engaging the services of an attorney for dog incidents.
As dog bite cases continue to increase in the US, you need the services of a good dog bite lawyer to represent you at all times. You can save some cost, time, and energy when you are represented by a professional. Contact Marc Lazarus as the best dog bite Injury Attorney in Orange County, CA
