Known for their loyalty and obedience, it’s true, dogs are frequently referred to as man’s best friend. In most cases, dogs are a source of companionship and unconditional love, and, as they become your lifelong friend, dogs are often well-behaved, cute and cuddly, and entertaining to watch. Unfortunately, there are circumstances where dogs are not trained correctly or raised in inhumane conditions, leading them to be vicious, uncontrollable predators or overzealous protectors. Statistics collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shown that dog bites and attacks are actually more common in the United States than you would think.
Compensation for Dog Bites and Attacks
In fact, the CDC reported, “in 1994, an estimated 4.7 million persons (1.8% of the U.S. population) sustained a dog bite; of these, approximately 800,000 (0.3%) sought medical care for the bite” (cdc.gov, 1997). As a result, an unfortunate 16 percent of dogs were euthanized. Continually, the CDC later reported that in 2001 the number people treated for dog bites and attacks decreased to “an estimated 368,245,” and “the injury rate was highest for children aged 5-9 years” resulting in “approximately 154,625 (42.0%) of dog bites” occurring among children14 years old or younger (cdc.gov, 2001). Beck and Jones published their research on “Unreported dog bites in children” in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), which was referred to by the CDC, stating that “the majority (80%) of dog bites incurred by persons aged <18 years are inflicted by a family dog (30%) or a neighbor’s dog (50%)” (cdc.gov, 2001). Although children can be vulnerable to dog bites and attacks, these vicious and random attacks can happen to anyone.
Often times, the dog receives a harsher punishment than the owner, but that is not to say that the owner is not responsible for damages caused by an aggressive dog. That is exactly why the attorneys at Ashley Injury Lawyers are here to help. If you have suffered from a vicious dog attack and are unsure on what to do next, contact Ashley Injury Lawyers at 888-ASHLEY-911, so we can help you through every step of the legal process.
At Ashley Injury Lawyers, our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys are here to help victims seek the compensation they need for the damages and injuries sustained from a dog bite and attack. According to California Civil Code 3342(a), “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place” (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, 1988).
If you have suffered from a dog bite or a dog attack, the owner of the dog can be held liable for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and any property damage sustained. This means that if you acquired medical bills due to the attack, they can be covered. If you missed work because of your injuries, you can be compensated. Do not lose hope! If you have been traumatized by a dog attack, call Ashley Injury Lawyers at 888-ASHLEY-911 today in order to get the compensation you deserve!
