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Experienced Dog Bite Attorneys
If a dog attacked you in California, you have the right to take legal action. Civil Code 3342 imposes liability on pet owners for injuries caused by their pets, regardless of whether the dog has acted aggressively in the past. Dog bite laws allow you to file a compensation claim for your injuries.
Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorneys
Dog Bite Injuries
Focusing on recovery and getting better should be your top priority, not fighting with insurance adjusters over claim details. An experienced dog bite attorney will preserve evidence and build a case strategy for you.
At Amicus Legal Group, we will work toward negotiating an out-of-court settlement or civil trial judgment to compensate you for the harm and damage you sustained, including:
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Infections
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Crush injuries
- Avulsions
- Scarring
- Death, for surviving family members
While the preceding list is not exhaustive, it outlines the wide variety of injuries which can be sustained. As an experienced dog bite legal team, we are ready to fight back against the many traps insurance companies will employ to deny you compensation.
Dog Bite Statistics
- Dog bite injuries cause 800,000 people nationwide to seek medical care each year
- Children account for about half of those dog bite victims
- Hospital emergency rooms see an average of more than 1,000 people a day for dog bites
- Children aged 5 to 9 are most likely to suffer dog bites
- When younger children are bitten, wounds often affect the head and/or neck
- Boys are more likely than girls to suffer dog bites
File a Claim for Your Losses
California’s dog bite laws hold that the containment of the animal is the responsibility of the owner. Therefore, the burden of controlling the dog rests squarely on the owner’s shoulders. As such, if a dog bites you or a family member and it results in a personal injury or wrongful death then you have a right to file a claim.
While all dog bite cases are unique, a dog bite lawyer will help you pursue compensation for things like:
- Medical costs
- Future damages
- Lost work wages
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death benefits, for survivors
- Punitive damages
- And more, as recoverable by law
Our legal team will request copies of your medical records to evidence your injuries and document your progress and prognosis. If we believe that your injuries or loved one’s death will have a future impact on your life, we will account for those losses as well and submit them as part of your settlement demand.
Connect with Amicus Legal Group Today
If a dog injured or attacked you, contact an experienced personal injury attorney with a proven track record of success in negotiating or litigating these types of cases. Protect your rights today and get the help you need.
You can receive a free consultation with us by calling at (888) 588-1777 or connecting with us here.
Time Limits to File a Claim
The statute of limitations is a deadline that prescribes how long you have to bring legal action against the dog's owner for your injuries or loved one's wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline will result in a forfeiture of your right to compensation.
Claims to recover damages after a dog bite or attack or in California is two years from the date of injury or your family member's death. Because the statute of limitations is strictly enforced, it is advisable that reach out to a dog bite attorney sooner rather than later.
What to Do If a Dog Attacked You
If you haven’t visited a doctor for your injuries, you should do so immediately. It is critical to follow through on doctor's orders. Part of a successful dog bite injury case requires that you mitigated your injuries and were reasonable in seeking treatment, where appropriate.
Make sure to file a police report about the incident. After obtaining a copy of the report, reach out to the homeowner's insurance company to initiate a claim. Avoid making any self-incriminating statements and only speak to the facts of the case .
Client Testimonials
Occasionally you meet another attorney who is so impressive both personally and professionally that you want to be affiliated with them in any way you can both personally and professionally. That is how I feel about John-Paul. I not only consider him one of the finest attorneys I know, but I now proudly call him my friend. He is among the very best.
David Booth
John-Paul is a superb attorney. He was my mentor when I was in law school, and now as an attorney I still go to him for advice on complex cases. When my brother required representation I referred him to John-Paul. That is how highly I think of JP as an attorney. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs representation.
Kit Westbrook
Attorney John Paul-Serrao helped us to win our case against the insurance company after we were involved in a traffic accident where our car was rear ended, we tried to handle it ourselves with the insurance company and they did not want to cooperate with us, so we hired Mr. Serrao and he was able to get us a settlement above with the insurance company was willing to pay. I would highly recommend him.
Lupe G.
Mr. Serrao worked on my DUI charge earlier this year and all I can say is WOW! Not only did he keep me updated with the case but his knowledge of the process helped calm my nerves, which was very important to me. He showed care for me as a client and I can’t thank him enough. I would recommend him to anyone in need of a quality criminal defense attorney.
Derrick J.
John-Paul is well known in our community as a smart and effective criminal defense lawyer who is sensitive to his clients’ situations and responsive to their needs. I refer my clients to him with confidence when they need help with the criminal justice system.
Lawrence Brock
John-Paul is an extremely effective criminal defense attorney. The one thing that makes him stand out from other defense attorneys is that he talks to his clients to learn the circumstances surrounding their incident and then he makes a forceful and articulate argument in defense of his clients. I recommend my clients to John-Paul when they are in need of a criminal defense attorney because I know he will stand up for them.
Stephen Rinka
I had the pleasure of working a very large scale drug case with Mr. Serrao, representing co-defendants. Mr. Serrao was a pleasure to work with. Highly skilled and very aggressive in his advocacy on his client’s behalf. I highly recommend Mr. Serrao for anyone looking for a criminal defense attorney.
Babak Farahan
John-Paul took my civil case when no one else would because other lawyers didn’t have confidence in my daughter who has special needs to testify, if needed. John-Paul won her case against the school district without a jury because he cared about my child, believed she was honest and deserved justice. He still doesn’t mind taking my calls whenever I have a question regarding her case.
Dionne L.
