Montecito Dog Bite Attorneys
Helping You Get the Resources You Need to Heal After a Dog Attack in Montecito
It’s horrifying to see someone you love getting attacked by a dog. But it happens millions of times annually. In fact, more than 800,000 people receive medical treatment for dog bites every year. And sadly, more than half the time, the victim is a child.
When it comes to dog bites, California is a strict liability state. That means the dog’s owner is liable for the harm their animal does, even if the owner claims it’s never attacked anyone before.
Dog bites cause serious physical and emotional injuries, and they leave lasting scars. If you or a loved one was harmed by a dog, contact the experienced Montecito dog bite lawyers at NordstrandBlack PC.
We’ll file a claim to help you recover the money you need to cover your medical costs and other expenses caused by the dog attack, such as time missed from work and emotional distress.
Call (805) 962-2022 to learn more today.
What to Do When a Dog Attacks in Montecito
It’s completely natural to feel distressed when a person is bitten by a dog. But it will be helpful for the victim if you do your best to remain calm. As soon as the victim is out of harm’s way, you’ll want to take the following steps:
- Apply first aid. Use gauze and direct pressure to stop the bleeding.
- Seek medical treatment. For any bite that breaks the skin, you’ll want to make sure the wound is cleaned out and professionally dressed. Your doctor may also want to prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Take pictures of the victim’s wounds and the place where the dog bite occurred.
- Collect contact and insurance information from the dog’s owner if possible. Don’t argue with the owner or talk about details of the attack.
- Report the incident to animal control.
- Write down your memories of everything that happened leading up to and during the attack when you get a free moment.
- Contact a Montecito dog bite attorney.
- Don’t discuss the attack with anyone other than your lawyer, and don’t mention it on social media.
How Your Montecito Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
The insurance agent is not your friend. Their job is to minimize the victim’s injuries and try to save the company money. If an insurance agent contacts you, just provide your contact information and say your attorney will be getting in touch with them. Don’t make a statement about the attack or sign any agreements.
Your Montecito personal injury attorney will investigate the incident and file a claim against anyone whose negligence contributed to the victim’s injuries. Dog bites usually happen because the animal has been poorly trained or mistreated.
The dog’s owner is liable for the injuries caused by a dog bite. In some cases, the person who was handling the dog at the time, such as a professional dog walker, may also bear liability for the attack. Landlords who fail to take action to protect people from a violent dog on their property may also be held liable.
The physical and emotional damage caused by a dog attack takes a serious toll on victims and their families.
A dog bite claim will include the following types of damages:
- Current and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Mental anguish
- Psychological counseling
- Reduced earning capacity
- Reconstructive surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Reduced enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
Injuries Caused by Dog Attacks
Dog attacks cause tremendous harm. In addition to bite wounds, large dogs can also injure people by knocking them over, especially seniors and children. People who have been attacked by a dog often live in a state of fear, which can drastically reduce your quality of life.
Injuries that result from a dog attack include:
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Scarring
- PTSD
- Puncture wounds
- Facial injuries
- Disease and infections
- Nerve damage
Schedule a FREE Consultation Today
At NordstrandBlack PC, we’ve dedicated our practice to helping people put their lives back together after a senseless accident occurs.
Our firm has won millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. People are happy with our work. Our firm is proud to have a perfect 10.0 rating from Avvo and an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
If you've suffered serious injuries as the result of an animal attack, call (805) 962-2022 for a complimentary consultation.