Even if you don’t plan to file a lawsuit, a lawyer can help make sure you are compensated for your injuries.
Most Americans love dogs — and what’s not to love? These furry four-legged companions can truly be man’s best friend — unless they’re not. Unfortunately, for many different reasons, dogs can become aggressive and bite humans. Whether it’s a one-time incident or a pattern of behavior, aggression from dogs is worrying, and a dog bite can cause serious physical harm.
Dog bites and other attacks can be incredibly scary and can result in significant injuries. Dog bites can cause deep cuts and lacerations that sometimes require stitches to close — puncture wounds, infections, broken bones, disfigurement, scarring, loss of limbs, nerve damage, and even death in severe cases. A dog bite is a serious matter that can have very grave consequences.
In both Arizona and California, owners of dogs who bite humans are “strictly liable” for the injuries that their dogs cause. That means that you do not have to prove that the dog was dangerous or that the owner knew that the dog had a history of biting people to recover compensation. As a general rule, as long as you did not provoke the dog and were lawfully on the property, you will be able to recover for your injuries from a dog bite.
Strict liability rules favor victims of dog bite attacks, but you should still hire an experienced dog bite attorney to help you throughout your case. The exceptions to the strict liability laws can be complicated, and filing a claim against an insurance company or a lawsuit can be incredibly challenging. An experienced dog bite attorney can help you navigate these difficulties, and make sure that you can recover the highest possible amount so you can get back on track after a dog bite attack. A dog bite attorney will also be able to handle aggressive insurance adjusters who will likely attempt to minimize your claim. Your lawyer will understand how the process works, and how to frame your case to get the highest possible award or settlement.
Having a skilled dog bite attorney represent you is also important if the dog that bit you is owned by a family member or a friend. These cases can be tricky because you do not want to sue a loved one — but you need someone to pay your medical bills and compensate you for lost income as well as pain and suffering. A lawyer can skillfully negotiate these thorny issues, handling the matter through your friend or family member’s insurance company to resolve the matter without resorting to a lawsuit if possible.
If you have been attacked or bitten by a dog, a dog bite attorney can help to make sure that you are properly compensated for the losses you have suffered. From medical bills to lost income from time off work to pain and suffering to emotional anguish, there are many categories of damages that you may be eligible to recover for your injuries. Contact the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to schedule a free initial consultation. Our attorneys can advise you of your legal rights and options. We never charge a fee unless we recover money for you!
