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What You Should Know About Your Legal Rights

Being injured on someone else’s property can involve a wide range of circumstances, such as being introduced to a dangerous condition or situation, a slip and fall, or even an animal attack. It’s important to understand your rights under the law should one of these incidents arise.

What constitutes a dangerous condition or situation? Dog bites, slippery floors, objects falling on you, defective handrails, poorly lit walkways, or any number of other possibilities. In any case, you need to be aware that the owner of the property is usually responsible in the event that something happens to you as a result of one or more of these dangerous conditions. Filing suit, however, is not always a clean-cut issue.

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Child Victims of Dog Bites

With the number of children bitten by dogs steadily on the rise, states have been forced to create and enforce statutes that specifically pertain to dog bite cases. In California, dog owners are held responsible for the actions of their pets and are, therefore, subject to strict liability if their dog attacks a child. The animal does not have to have demonstrated a tendency to attack; one instance is all it takes.

California Civil Code section 3342 applies to dog bites. It states that the dog’s owner shall be held liable for any damages or injury suffered by another in the event he is bitten by the owner’s dog. Since the liability is automatic, it doesn’t matter if the victim is a stranger to the dog’s owner, a friend, or even a family member. All dog bite cases are treated in the same manner.

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California Animal Attacks

There are those who only love specific kinds of animals, and there are those who admire the entire animal kingdom. But regardless of how deep and extensive your love of animals, they also demand a certain level of respect. Even the most docile creature is still an animal, and therefore has a natural inclination to its animal instincts. These can assert themselves at any time, often without warning. When this happens, you can easily become seriously injured. For those who have experienced a California animal attack, for example, you need to be properly represented so that your medical expenses, as well as reimbursement for pain and suffering, are not overlooked.

While many animals make wonderful companions and are nice to have around, in the case of domestic pets, there must always be someone who is responsible for them and for their actions. When those actions turn aggressive, you can’t always be sure that the responsible party will be around when you need them. Animals don’t have the ability to understand and abide by the law, but their owners and caregivers do. If someone takes on the responsibility to house and care for an animal, they also assume the responsibility for the animal’s actions, particularly when those actions become dangerous.

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You’ve Been Injured. What Next?

Personal injury cases are based on the premise that someone was injured by the act of another person or entity. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you should seek out a top personal injury attorney who can fight for you and your rights. Since these cases are not necessarily clear cut, it is rarely advisable for you to go this alone.

When pursuing your personal injury case, the first thing on your list should be finding a good attorney. Even after you have narrowed down your choices, you still need to do a little research in order to make sure that he or she will be the right fit for you. This means looking for reviews from other clients, complaints, and even pending lawsuits that may have been filed. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to find this kind of information.

The Face to Face Meeting

You will next want to set a meeting with your attorney. Here, you will discuss the details of your case to determine if you do, in fact, have a viable claim. This is when your attorney will instruct you on what can be expected through each step of the process. This is also the time that your attorney will instruct you as to what will be expected of you. This will include any information you may have, the facts of your case, contacts who can help to verify your case, and any other information pertinent to your claim. The defendant’s attorney will also be contacting your attorney to swap information material to the case.

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I Can Do This. Right?

Personal injury law encompasses a broad array of circumstances. These may include, but are not limited to, injury in an auto accident or some mode of public transportation, slip and fall on property owned by someone else, injury from dog bite or other animal that does not belong to you. These, and more, all fall under the umbrella of personal injury and the severity of your injury may have a big impact on exactly how your claim is processed. There may be occasions when you could handle a claim on your own, either through an insurance company or small claims court. In other situations, you would be well advised to seek the counsel of a qualified legal professional. This will depend on the seriousness of your injury, and your comfort level in dealing with bureaucratic red tape.

When Is It Smart To Do It Yourself?

Auto accidents are by far one of the most common causes of personal injury, even for good, careful drivers. If you’re rear-ended by another driver and injuries to you and your passengers are slight, and the damage to your car is minor, you may feel comfortable simply filing a claim with your insurance, or the other driver’s insurance. If you feel that compensation is sufficient to cover repairs to your vehicle and any medical treatment received, and you are satisfied with the timeliness and professionalism of the service, then this would constitute a good outcome for you.

If, on the other hand, you’re not comfortable or not willing to negotiate with insurance adjusters to reach what you consider to be fair compensation for your loss, then you should turn this task over to someone who is skilled and professional and who can represent your best interests. Waiting until you’ve tried and failed to arrive at a fair settlement, and then seeking the advice of a personal injury lawyer can complicate your claim process. If you’re unsure about how to handle your personal injury claim, contact an attorney immediately and explain the details of your case. Most will offer a free consultation, and most will inform you if their services are not really required for your particular situation.

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What Are The Odds?

One thousand Americans arrive in emergency rooms every day having suffered injury from a dog bite. Approximately one third of all American households own a dog. While most dogs are considered docile and obedient, without proper socialization any dog can be provoked into biting by loud noises, aggressive movement, or threatening situations. It is the responsibility of a dog’s owner to seek proper obedience training and take all necessary measures to ensure that the dog will not attack. If a dog is overly aggressive, and prone to attacking people, it’s the owner’s responsibility to surrender it to an animal shelter.

An attack can happen to anyone, however research shows that children are most at risk. Close to half of those suffering a dog bite injury are children. Dog bite injuries often leave victims physically and emotionally scarred. More serious cases of dog attack have even resulted in death. Medical costs for reconstructive surgery and psychological recovery can be exorbitant, and often beyond the financial means of the victim. That’s when the law steps in.

If You Are Bitten

It’s extremely important to identify the animal that bit you. If for some reason this is impossible, you face the probability of having to submit to painful treatment for rabies. Additionally, if you were attacked by a dog, or any animal being kept by a person, you are almost certainly entitled to compensation from its owner. Depending on the severity of your injury, that compensation may well be needed to pay the medical costs of reconstructive surgery, reimburse you for lost income, and help you overcome psychological trauma from your injuries. Next, seek medical attention as quickly as possible. If your face is wounded, insist on being treated by a cosmetic surgeon, as appearance will matter to you and emergency room personnel aren’t always trained in this specialty.

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An estimated 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, with one in five of those dog bites requires medical attention. Tens of thousands of people each year undergo reconstructive surgery as a result of dog bite injuries.

If you are with someone who has been bitten by a dog, there are some procedures you should follow for treating the bite, according to the National Institutes of Health. First, calm the person down. Before working on the wound put on latex gloves or wash your hands. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for three to five minutes. If the dog bite injury is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth until it stops. Cover the bite with antibiotic ointment and a clean dressing. Watch for signs of infection and call the doctor if it becomes infected.

For serious wounds, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately after a dog bite attack. Some examples of serious wounds are if the wound is bleeding significantly and won’t stop; if the animal was wild or unknown; if the bite is on the face, neck, or hands; if the wound needs stitches; or if the individual hasn’t had a tetanus shot within the past five years.

People who are bitten by dogs can recover compensation from the dog’s owner for any damage caused by the dog under certain situations. If you have been bitten by a dog, call the San Fernando Valley dog bite attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm at 818-886-6600 today for a free consultation.

Dog bites are a serious problem in the U.S. Approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, and about 20 percent of those bites require medical care, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2006, approximately 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of dog bites.

The rate of dog bite injuries is highest among children ages 5 to 9. So how can you keep your children from suffering a serious dog bite? First, you need to do some research before bringing a dog into your household. Carefully choose the breed, being sure to avoid aggressive breeds or breeds that do not interact well with children. Spend time with the dog before finalizing the adoption, making sure to observe your child interacting with the dog. Never leave your child alone with a new dog or even a dog that your child is familiar with.

In order to lessen the chance of your child being bitten by a stranger’s dog, there are several steps you can take. First of all, children should never approach a stranger’s dog. Do not pet a dog without allowing the dog to sniff and see your child first. If an unfamiliar dog approaches, remain motionless. If a dog is sleeping, eating or nursing puppies, the dog should not be disturbed. If a dog knocks a child over, the child should roll into a ball and lay still.

Dog bites in California can cause serious injuries and even be life threatening in some instances. If you or a loved one has been attacked and believe that the dog owner’s negligence contributed to the bite injury taking place, contact the skilled San Fernando Valley dog bite lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm. Our experienced injury lawyers are dedicated to helping dog bite victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today at 818-886-6600 for a free consultation.

The website poughkeepsiejournal.com reported that a man involved in a recent case was originally seeking $300,000 and claimed that he had lost partial use of his left hand. The man and the dog owner’s insurance carrier came to an accord during trial before acting state Supreme Court Judge Thomas J. Dolan in the city of Poughkeepsie. The bite happened in the town of Washington while the man was working on another person’s property when the dog came from next door and bit him.

The lawyer for the man said, “It was a business decision,” and added, “We did not make any admissions that this dog was vicious. It was clear this dog did not have any vicious propensities.”

Each year approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States. It is estimated that 1,000 people in America visit the emergency room each day due to dog bite injuries.

Most of us are aware of the many joys having a pet can provide a person; however, pets, such as dogs, can also pose the threat of serious injury when they are improperly contained, taken care of, or trained. Unfortunately, on too many occasions dog owners believe their dogs are friendly and leave them untied or unsupervised.

If you have been bitten by a dog in Northridge, you have the right to ask for compensation for your medical bills, suffering, and any potential monetary loss if the owner did not take proper precautions to ensure that their dog would not harm innocent people. The experienced Northridge dog bite lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm can help you with your case. Considering that our firm obtained nearly $10 million in settlements and verdicts in 2001, you can rest assured that we will utilize our extensive legal knowledge and skills to reach a successful outcome in your case. Contact the Mandell Law Firm today for your free consultation by calling 1-818-886-6600.

Source:http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090906/NEWS05/909060345

A man believes that a 53 year old female postal mail carrier may have provoked his pit bull to attack her, sending her to the hospital with serious chest and hand injuries. Officials euthanized the dog stating that it was a vicious attack dog committed by an animal too dangerous to be left to interact with others. The cbs4.com story also reported that the owner is upset that he could not bring his dog back to his residence to bury it. Authorities explained that the dog’s head was cut off and sent to be tested to see if the animal had rabies. Animal shelter authorities went on to explain that this was standard procedure when owners signed their dogs over to the shelter in these instances. The dog owner claims to have been forced to sign.

The owner said, “That’s my family, I’m entitled to my dog.”

Ignatius Carroll, Miami Fire Rescue Lieutenant reported that the dog had jumped at the mail carrier. “She was able to push the dog away from her face, and it lunged at her and bit her in the chest area and also bit her on the hand. She got some significant bites.”

Each year approximately 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States. It is estimated that 1,000 people in America visit the emergency room each day due to dog bite injuries.

Dog attacks are an all too familiar occurrence in crowded cities like Northridge and many other areas of the vast San Fernando Valley. Many dog owners are under the assumption that their dogs are friendly and leave them untied and even worse, unsupervised. If you have been bitten by a dog in Northridge, you have the right to ask for compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and even loss of wages. The experienced Northridge dog bite accident lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm can assist you with your case. For your free animal bite injury consultation, please call 1-818-886-6600 today.

Source:http://cbs4.com/pets/Dog.bite.dog.2.1117429.html