Dog Bites
Experienced Long Beach Dog Bite Attorney Ready To Serve You
Experiencing a dog attack is incredibly traumatic, impacting both the victim and their family. Even seemingly docile pets can pose a risk, regardless of their history of aggressive behavior.
If you’ve suffered a dog bite, Long Beach personal injury lawyer Michael A. Beliz is here to assist you. Here’s everything you need to know about dog bites and how to file a claim against the responsible owner.
Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer successfully settled a dog bite case for the homeowner’s policy limits of $300,000. The victim, a 25-year-old male, was skateboarding home from work along a public street in Compton, California. Suddenly, a pit bull escaped from its yard through an open gate and lunged at the victim, biting his inner left thigh. Despite the attack, the victim managed to fend off the dog.
A neighbor rushed the victim to the emergency room at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. He suffered puncture wounds and a hematoma, experiencing severe pain rated at 10 out of 10. Five days later, he underwent surgery for an incision and drainage of a large abscess on his left thigh.
Approximately six months post-incident, the victim sought a plastic surgery consultation. The doctor recommended scar revision but advised waiting a year due to the severity of the wound. Additionally, a neurologist assessed the victim’s chronic pain levels.
RESOLVING THE CASE
The victim enlisted Long Beach Car Accident Lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim for his injuries from the dog bite. The firm compiled all relevant information about the incident and the victim’s injuries, presenting it to the dog owner and homeowner’s insurance company. The firm set a deadline for the insurance company to accept the policy limit offered, and they agreed to the $300,000 settlement.
Dog Bite Statistics For California
The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that over 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs annually. Approximately 20% of these bites necessitate medical attention. While this might not appear significant, the statistics for California present a different scenario.
As per a joint study by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and the National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition, California leads in dog-related injury claims. In 2020 alone, California recorded 2,103 dog bite claims, surpassing the second-highest state, Florida, by about 70%. Additionally, Triple-I reports that insurers paid a total of $854 million for dog bite claims nationwide.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
This is especially true if the victim is a child or elderly. Some of the most common dog-related injuries include the following:
- Punctures,
- Scratches,
- Bruises,
- Broken bones,
- Head and neck injuries,
- Eye injuries,
- Nerve damage,
- Disfigurement, and
- Emotional trauma.
