• Traffic Accidents
• Premises Accidents
• Injuries
• Dangerous Products
• Other Practice Areas

Traffic Accidents

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Truck Accidents

Vehicle Rollovers

Bus Accidents

Uninsured Motorists

Train Accidents

Premises Accidents

Construction Accidents

Slip and Fall

Premises Liability

Assault and Battery

Explosions and Fires

Swimming Pool Accidents

Dog Bites

Injuries

Personal Injury

Catastrophic Injuries

Wrongful Death

Brain Injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

Burn Injuries

Dangerous Products

Products Liability

Airbag Injuries

Child Car Seats

Crushed Roofs

Defective Seatbelts

Food Poisoning

Gas Tank Explosions

Mesothelioma / Asbestos

Motor Vehicle Defects

Pharmaceutical Liability

Recalled Products

Tire Defects

Other Practice Areas

15-Passenger Van Rollovers

Aviation Accidents

Animal Bites

Boating Accidents

Dangerous Roads

Drunk Driving Accidents

Negligent Security

Nursing Home Abuse

Pedestrian Accidents

Sexual Abuse

Bicycle Accidents

Work Injuries

Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer

Los Angeles Dog Bite Lawyer

In the United States, dogs bite some 5 million people every year. One out of every six dog bites is serious enough to require medical attention. Among children, dog bites are the fifth leading cause of emergency room visits. While death from a dog bite is not common, it can happen. In 2007, 33 deaths were reported from dog bites.

Most dog bite victims are family or friends of the dog owner. While a dog bite is always frightening, at least these victims are able to determine whether the dog is healthy. When a strange dog bites, the full horror of the attack can be devastating, both emotionally and physically.

Some dog bites leave victims with lasting scars and disabilities. Owners of dogs in Los Angeles County have a responsibility to keep their dogs restrained, particularly if they are likely to pose a danger to others. If a dog owner fails to restrain a dog and you receive a dog bite, you should consult with an attorney to discuss your legal rights.

Protecting Your Rights after a Dog Bite in Los Angeles

After suffering a dog bite, the victim is likely to feel vulnerable and frightened. Even so, taking certain steps promptly after an attack will help preserve the victim's legal rights.

The dog bite victim's immediate response should be to seek medical help. Even if the injury from the dog bite appears minor, it can become worse if left untreated. To avoid infection or other medical complications from a dog bite, see a doctor or other medical professional as soon as possible after a dog attack.

The victim's next steps should include:

• Identify the dog and its owner. Notify the dog's owner immediately of the dog attack so that the owner can restrain the dog and prevent a second attack. The dog's owner may also need to submit an insurance claim.
• Report the dog bite. Report the dog bite to the local animal control authority and police department.
• Gather and preserve evidence of the dog bite. If witnesses saw the dog attack, get their names and contact information. Take photos of the dog bite injury, both before and after getting medical treatment. Also take pictures of the location where the dog bite occurred. Save any torn or dirtied clothing worn during the dog attack.

Dog Bite Lawsuits in Los Angeles

A serious dog bite can be costly for the victim. Insurance estimates say that dog bites cost their victims a total of $1 billion to $2 billion every year. The costs of medical treatment, alone, add up quickly.

California is unlike most other states in its law on dog bites. Many states have a "one bite" rule. This means that a dog owner is responsible for compensating a dog bite victim only if the owner knew the dog was dangerous. The usual proof of this is a prior attack by the same dog.

In California, a dog owner is responsible even for the first dog bite. The dog bite victim's attorney must be able to prove that:

• The person accused is the dog's actual owner.
• The victim was attacked while on public property or while lawfully on private property.
• The victim suffered a dog bite during the dog attack.
• The dog bite resulted in injury to the victim.

Once a victim is able to prove that the dog owner was legally responsible for the dog attack, the victim is then entitled to recover monetary damages from the owner. Typically, damages include compensation for the victim's:

• Medical bills (both past and future).
• Lost income.
• Pain and suffering.
• Medical monitoring.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Lifetime care costs.

In some cases, the victim might also be entitled to punitive damages. These are allowed only when the dog owner engaged in particularly egregious conduct. One example might be if the dog owner deliberately set the dog to attack the dog bite victim.

Choosing a Dog Bite Lawyer in Los Angeles

When someone suffers a dog bite or dog attack, the victim should promptly seek the advice of an experienced dog bite lawyer. The Reeves Law Group has a proven record of more than 20 years of zealous advocacy on behalf of personal injury and dog bite victims. To find out more about your legal rights after a dog bite, call us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000 or e-mail us.