Every year, dog bites and animal attacks hurt more than 5 million people in the United States. Many of these attacks result in injuries that need medical care. And according to one of the state’s leading insurance companies, State Farm, California had the highest number of dog bite claims. Some dog bites can result in permanent disability or disfigurement. When a dog causes injuries in California, victims are often entitled to compensation from the dog’s owner.
Why do dogs attack people in California?
Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries, from small scratches to deep bite marks. Most dog bites and attacks happen because owners aren’t paying attention, treat their dogs badly, or aren’t taking care of them.
Most dog bites are caused by one or more of the following:
- Care for the animal that wasn’t adequate
- Lack of care for the dog’s health
- Abuse or being treated badly
- Dangerous dogs
Statistics on dog bites in California
Almost 89.7 million dogs are raised in homes across the United States. Around 4 million Americans are attacked by dogs each year, and 20% of those bites necessitate medical attention, estimates by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dog bites on the arms, hands, legs, and feet account for about 72% of all bites. Children are the most vulnerable to dog bites, accounting for 50 per cent of all injured victims.
Are Punitive Damages Permissible?
Rarely are punitive damages awarded to penalize the dog owner for particularly egregious actions. You must provide obvious and strong proof that the dog owner’s actions were fraudulent, oppressive, or malicious. You may be able to establish that the animal acted purposefully if you can show that the owner knew the dog had attacked multiple victims in the past, or if you can show that the owner directed the dog to harm you.
What Factors Determine The Value Of My Case?
Under California law, despite the fact that every dog bite case is unique, there are a number of essential factors that determine how much your case is worth. These include:
- Your age,
- How severe the dog bite was and whether medical care was necessary,
- Whether the injury caused any long-term physical effects,
- If permanent scarring or disability is the consequence,
- Long-term mental or emotional consequences of the injury.
- Any previous attacks by this dog and the owner’s lack of preventative measures, as well as whether you were trespassing.
Talk to a California dog bite lawyer right away
Read the factors carefully and then contact us. We have a strong focus on the client, which drives our California dog bite lawyer to get you good dog bite compensation. We have some of California’s most experienced dog bite lawyers in our team. Call Garcia & Phan at (714) 586-8298 if you or someone you know was hurt in an accident caused by a dog bite.
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