Many people suffer dog bite injuries every year. A dog bite can happen when you least expect it, even from an ordinarily gentle dog. A dog bite injury can give rise to a personal injury compensation claim, and you will need a California dog bite lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
Dog bites can be painful, expensive, and sometimes deadly. An injured party may have to pay for the costs of ambulatory care and hospitalization, surgeries, stitches, medications, prosthesis, physical therapy, rehabilitation, doctor visits, specialized care, imaging, and more. These medical costs can be sought in a personal injury lawsuit. If the dog bite led to permanent disability or disfigurement like scarring, lost visual abilities, or permanent nerve damage, non-economical pain and suffering costs can also be sought in a settlement.
If you have suffered a dog bite injury in California, here are some steps you can take to maximize the compensation that you deserve.
Immediate Actions to Take After a Dog Bite
Document the incident
If you can do this safely before you leave the scene, try to document as many details as you can from the scene, including pictures of your injuries, the scene, the dog, etc. After you are safe, preferably on the same day, write down everything you can remember about the incident. The more documentation you have, the more smoothly your dog bite claim will proceed.
Exchange information with the dog’s owner and with other witnesses
At the scene, if possible, get the dog owner’s name, address, phone number, insurance company, and any other relevant contact info, just like you would at the scene of a car accident. If there are any people nearby who witnessed what happened, get their names and phone number in case they can corroborate your story and provide an eyewitness account if needed.
Seek medical care immediately.
As soon as you can leave the scene, get medical help. In some cases, an ambulance may have to be called. Whether you are being transported or can get yourself to an emergency room, you should get a medical exam and treatment as soon as possible. Do not wait several days, several weeks, or several months to be seen as dog bite wounds are prone to infection, especially if the dog has not been vaccinated. The earlier a doctor can document the extent of your injuries and treat them, the better the outcome of your claim. If you wait, the defendant or insurer could make the case that the dog bite did not directly cause your injury or that you let it get worse, for which they are not responsible.
Call Animal Control
File a report with your local animal control agency. Their investigation might help your case and prevent other people from future dog bites in the area.
Call a Pasadena Personal Injury Attorney
You should not have to pay for the consequences of an attack that was not your fault. In the vast majority of dog bite cases, the owner’s home insurance will pay and you will not have to worry about being able to recover the damages you deserve or feel guilty for suing the owner. However, this does mean that you will deal with the insurance company. They will likely do everything in their power to devalue or deny your claim to protect their own bottom line. If the dog owner is uninsured, the legal process is even more complicated.
The Pasadena personal injury attorneys at GBG Law Firm have helped many dog bite victims navigate the legal process of their dog bite claim and receive much-needed compensation. It is essential to hire a California dog bite lawyer once you have been injured by a dog bite, to let you know your options and fight for you to receive compensation. Contact GBG to support you after your incident and walk you through the necessary steps for your dog bite claim.
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