Mendez and Sanchez - Animal Attack Injury Lawyers in Montebello, California

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Dogs bite roughly 5 million people a year in the United States Almost half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims. Roughly 800,000 Americans each year seek medical attention for injuries from dog attacks, and 386,000 need emergency room treatment. Around 16 individuals die every 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 severe injury sustained in a dog attack is cause to hold the dog's owner responsible, and for the dog attack victim to seek compensation for all medical costs, pain and suffering and other harm resulted in by the bite.

If you have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that occurred in the Montebello area or anywhere else in California, the personal injury attorneys at Mendez & Sanchez, want to assist you.

Serious Injuries from Animal Attacks

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 significant traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can also result in significant emotional and psychological injury.

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

The most common victims are:

• Children ages 5-9
• Elderly individuals
• Mail letter carriers

Dogs usually bite an individual's arm, hand, leg, foot, head or neck, according to the CDC. Typical injuries in dog attacks include:

• 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 severe 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 each 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 an Animal Attack

Dog bite victims might pursue compensation to cover their:

• Past and future medical costs
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological distress
• Other related losses

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

Individuals that have been seriously wounded by an attacking dog deserve compensation and should not hesitate to seek it via 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 almost always 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 attacks made up more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid in 2013 and led to more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average payment for dog attack claims was $27,862.

An experienced attorney can investigate your dog bite claim to determine whether the dog's owner is responsible and calculate the compensation you may be due for your injuries.

Several claims can be resolved through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance company. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would be ready to pursue appropriate compensation for you in court.

Taking Action After an Attack

You can act to help yourself, a loved one or a friend that has been wounded by a dog bite. Here are some steps you should try 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.
• Obtain the name and contact information of any individuals that witnessed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries along with the location of the incident.
• Photograph any visible injuries you have endured as a result of the incident with the animal.
• Keep any clothing that might have been damaged by the animal.
• Save and, ideally, photograph any kind of property damaged by the animal.
• Do not communicate with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance company. If you accept any kind of reimbursement, you might forgo your right to sue for additional damages.

Reach Out to Our Animal Attack Lawyers

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury or other animal attack that caused severe injury or scarring, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. Get in touch with a Montebello dog attack lawyer at Mendez & Sanchez, immediately and schedule a free consultation.

We will offer a team of legal professionals, medical experts and investigators who are dedicated to your case. We can help you make informed decisions about your legal options. Our dog bite lawyers will strive to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

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OUR ANIMAL ATTACK AND PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS IN MONTEBELLO ARE AVAILABLE 24 HR A DAY TO TAKE YOUR CALL. FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CALL US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE.