Dog Bites Lawyer in San Gabriel

Dog Bite Injury Lawyers

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Dogs attack roughly 5 million individuals a year in the U.S. Almost half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. Approximately 800,000 Americans each year seek medical attention for wounds from dog bites, and 386,000 require emergency room treatment. About 16 people die each year after being attacked by a dog. The CDC's numbers do not consider the psychological trauma of experiencing an animal attack.

It is a basic fact of life that dogs bite. This includes any dog of any breed. A dog bite can be anything from a nip to a traumatic attack that leaves a serious injury. A serious injury sustained in a dog attack is cause to hold the dog's owner responsible, and for the dog bite victim to seek compensation for all medical costs, pain and suffering and other damage resulted in by the bite.

If you have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that happened in the San Gabriel area or anywhere else in California, the personal injury attorneys at Tim D. Wright, want to help you.

Serious Injuries from Dog Bites

A serious bite is not a playful nip or even a minor injury that bruises an individual who came into contact with a dog at the wrong time. A serious dog attack is one that consists of biting and scratching that causes considerable traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can also cause significant emotional and psychological injury.

According to dog bite statistics from the CDC, around 885,000 dog bite victims every year-- or 20 percent of all of those that are attacked by dogs-- require medical attention for their injuries.

The most common victims are:

• Kids ages 5-9
• Elderly people
• Mail letter carriers

Dogs most often bite a person's arm, hand, leg, foot, head or neck, according to the CDC. Common injuries in dog attacks consist of:

• Cuts, bruises and scratches
• Puncture wounds
• Tearing (avulsion)
• Dislocations
• Bone fractures
• Amputations
• Crushing (head/ skull injuries)

DogsBite.org, a nonprofit, public education website concerning dangerous dog breeds, reports that serious dog attacks can cause severe injuries that can require $250,000 to $1 million in specialized medical care.

The CDC specifies that about 27,000 dog bite victims every year undergo reconstructive surgery. This may consist of skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment. A victim may need a number of procedures over many years.

Seeking Compensation After a Dog Bite

Dog bite victims might pursue reimbursement to cover their:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income and decreased earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Other relevant losses

Claims can be made against the dog owner and, possibly, a third party if that party's negligence resulted in the injury.

Individuals who have been seriously wounded by an attacking dog deserve compensation and should not hesitate to seek it through civil legal action and contact a dog attack attorney-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The compensation recovered in a dog attack claim usually comes from the dog owner's insurance, such as homeowners' insurance or business liability insurance.

The Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance report that dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2013 and resulted in more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average payment for dog attack cases was $27,862.

An experienced attorney can examine your dog bite case to determine whether the dog's owner is liable and determine the settlement you may be due for your injuries.

Several cases can be resolved through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance provider. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would prepare to pursue suitable compensation for you in court.

Taking Action After a Bite

You can act to help yourself, a loved one or a friend that has been injured by a dog bite. Here are some steps you should attempt to follow:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any kind of dog bite should be seen by a physician.
• Immediately report the incident to the police and secure a copy of the police accident report.
• Obtain the name and contact information of the dog owner if possible.
• Get the name and contact information of any people that observed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries as well as the location of the incident.
• Photograph any kind of visible injuries you have endured as a result of the incident with the animal.
• Save any kind of clothing that might have been damaged by the animal.
• Save and, if possible, photograph any kind of property damaged by the animal.
• Do not interact with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance company. If you accept any type of reimbursement, you may waive your right to sue for additional damages.

Get In Touch with Our Dog Bite Lawyers

If you or a loved one has sustained a dog attack injury or other animal attack that resulted in severe injury or scarring, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. Get in touch with a San Gabriel dog bite attorney at Tim D. Wright, immediately and schedule a complimentary consultation.

We will provide a team of legal professionals, medical experts and investigators that are committed to your case. We can help you make informed decisions about your legal options. Our dog bite attorneys will work hard to ensure you receive the settlement you deserve.

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For more information about Dog Bites and Personal Injury Attorneys in San Gabriel, California, contact Law Offices of Tim D. Wright at (323) 379-9995 or visit our website at​​ TimWrightLaw.com for a Free Consultation!