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Dog Bite Victims Injury Lawyer in Encinitas
Dog Bite Injury Attorney
Many people don’t take dog bites as seriously as they should, especially if it’s their dog that’s involved. Although very few dogs are vicious (even among well-treated pit bulls), there can be dog attacks whenever the animal is sick or, rightly or wrongly, feels threatened. The fact is some 4 1/2 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year and over half of them are children. As with any animal attack, a dog bite victim should seek immediate medical attention while someone else collects dog and owner information. In Encinitas, dog owners should report the incident to the San Diego County Department of Animal Services (animal control) so that the dog can be isolated as a precaution for rabies. If more than minor injuries are diagnosed, the victim should retain a dog bite attorney before even discussing a settlement.
You Pay Nothing Unless Compensation is Recovered!
Injuries and Compensation
Dog bite victims often suffer injuries far more extreme than teeth marks and broken skin. Serious and potentially serious injuries include: puncture wounds, tears, abrasions, lacerations, and severe bleeding. Unseen harm can include nerve damage as well as broken and even crushed bones. With a lengthy hospital stay, multiple surgeries, and expensive antibiotics, medical bills can become overwhelming. A dog bite victim may require physical therapy and rehabilitation, and may suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress syndrome).
Any victim of a dog attack should receive full compensation for all ambulance, emergency room, hospitalization, and therapy medical bills. Although it may take a fight, they also deserve compensation for lost wages and reduced future earnings, scarring and disfigurement, pain and suffering, and in some cases punitive damages.
Liability
Under California law an Encinitas dog owner can be held liable for an animal attack even if they took reasonable precautions (such as a leash) and the dog had never shown signs of aggression in the past. The only exceptions are if the victim was trespassing, provoking the animal, or performing a paid service involving the dog (such as grooming or walking). Those liabilities include compensation for all medical bills, and more, and are usually paid by homeowner or renter’s insurance policies.
In Encinitas and throughout California, it’s not necessary to prove negligence, but unfortunately many owners try to deny ownership and insurance companies often go to surprising lengths in an attempt to show provocation or otherwise avoid liability. So it’s important to collect as much information as possible from the owner and witnesses, photographing the scene as well as taking photos of all injuries before and after treatment.
Insurer push-back along with establishing losses can make reaching a settlement quite complicated. The initial settlement offer is invariably far less than fair compensation, often leaving the victim having to pay later expenses themselves. A dog bite attorney is a great asset in collecting witness statements, organizing and presenting evidence, and in establishing appropriate damages.
The Skolnick Law Group
Attorney Suzanne Skolnick and Skolnick Law Group’s Of-Counsel, Russell S. Kohn, are experienced personal injury attorneys dedicated to their clients’ maximum recovery. If you’ve been bitten by a dog in or around Encinitas, their law offices and expertise as dog bite lawyers is just 10 miles away. If your injuries are severe, they can visit you in the hospital or at your home, and they welcome evening and weekend appointments. Working on a contingency basis, you’ll have a free consultation and pay nothing unless they win your recovery.
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