Dog Bite Attorney in West Covina, CA
When a traumatic event happens, it goes beyond a legal case. Experiencing a dog attack can have severe effects on your physical and emotional well-being. It often leaves physical scars that can be a daily reminder of what happened. A West Covina dog bite lawyer can help you navigate what legal options are available to you.
Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer With Years of Professional Experience
The team at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor has decades of experience helping our California neighbors move forward in life after experiencing trauma. We’re known for our efficiency during litigation, striving to choose the right legal path for your unique needs.
We know how difficult life can be after a dog bite attack. If you’re struggling after your incident, one of our West Covina personal injury attorneys would be happy to meet with you off-site during your consultation. We’re dedicated to providing empathetic and effective legal services to our clients.
California Dog Bite Laws
In 2022, there were 48,596 visits to the emergency room for dog bites in California. This number was the highest it had been in 18 years. Dog owners often don’t realize the danger their pet poses, leading to them dismissing warning signs of pending aggressive behavior. This can cause them to disobey rules regarding pet ownership in parks and outdoor areas, as well as not train their pet properly.
When a dog attack happens, it’s natural to feel angry at the owner for failing to prevent it. Victims have the option to open a legal claim against the pet owner. If your case cannot be settled and proceeds to court, it will likely be held at the West Covina Courthouse, located at 1427 West Covina Parkway, where we regularly advocate for clients.
Types of Damages That Can Be Pursued in Your Dog Attack Case
It is advised to hire a dog bite lawyer to represent you. The attorneys at Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor have years of experience in similar cases and can calculate the maximum amount of compensation that can be requested in your unique claim.
We’ve helped secure substantial results for our clients, such as:
- $285,000 for a client who had to undergo surgery after a resident’s dog escaped its cage and attacked him.
- $300,000 for a client who was injured by an unleashed dog running into the street.
When courts award compensation to victims, the number is never random. It’s based on the real losses you’ve suffered as a result of the incident and your injuries. There are two main types of damages that can be sought in your case:
- Economic damages. These damages are easier to calculate, as they’re based on monetary losses. This can include your medical bills, such as surgeries, physical therapy, medication, or counseling. It can also include lost income due to missing work from your injuries, as well as damage to your personal belongings during the attack, such as your cell phone or clothing.
- Non-economic damages. These damages are more subjective, as they’re based on emotional losses. However, they’re just as important as economic damages. They can include pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
A unique type of damages, called punitive or exemplary damages, may be pursued in the most extreme cases of someone acting with malice or severe negligence. For example, if a dog owner lets their dog off-leash illegally and the dog already has documented prior accounts of attacking, they may have to pay punitive damages.
These damages can be added on top of economic and non-economic damages. They’re designed to further punish the wrongdoer and deter any similar behavior from happening in the future. One of our lawyers can help you determine if punitive damages can be requested in your case.
How California Courts Determine Compensation in a Personal Injury Case
When calculating compensation, California courts use a system to assign every party involved a percentage of fault. They do this by hearing both sides’ arguments and reviewing the provided evidence.
Even if you’re found to be partially at fault for the attack, you can still recover compensation. However, any amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example:
- If you were found to be provoking the dog before the attack, you may be found to be 30% at fault for the incident.
- If the dog owner had their dog off-leash illegally, they may be found to be 70% at fault.
- If you received a $100,000 settlement, it would be reduced by 30%, making your final compensation amount $70,000.
Victims generally have two years to file a claim in a personal injury case in California. While this may seem like a long timeline, it’s important to act quickly after a dog attack. Evidence can be erased while your losses continue to pile up.
Types of Evidence That Can Help Your Legal Claim
Having as much evidence as possible can aid your case. Courts rely on proof to make their final decision. Your lawyer can help you gather and preserve:
- Eyewitness statements from anyone who saw the attack happen. Be sure to collect witness contact information after the incident, so your lawyer can follow up with them promptly. Witness memories tend to fade quickly, so acting fast is key.
- Statements from professionals about what they believe led to the attack
- Photos and videos taken at the time of the incident. These can include your visible injuries, the dog’s aggression, any violations the pet owner committed, and damage to your personal belongings.
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or residences that caught the attack on tape. This is essential to collect as early as possible, as footage may be overwritten after a certain period of time.
- Copies of any filed incident reports
- Copies of your medical records and medical bills
Choose a Trusted Personal Injury Law Firm in California
Contact Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & O’Connor today to schedule your confidential consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. While compensation cannot take away the pain of what happened, it can help you recover your financial losses. Let our team of legal professionals pursue compensation for you after a dog attack.
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