Don’t Shy Away From Legal Representation Following Your Dog Bite Injury
It may shock you to find out that hundreds of people across the country are hospitalized each day because of injuries they’ve incurred from dog attacks and dog bites. Unfortunately for Californians, many of these injuries are incurred from dog or animal attacks in Los Angeles. There are law firms that specialize exclusively in dog bites and other animal-related injuries, however, so it won’t be impossible for you to find legal representation for your claim. Although many may initially find it embarrassing or unnecessary to contact a lawyer for their dog bite injury, the treatment of your injuries and the filing of your dog bite claim is incredibly important following your attack.
As you may already know, vicious dogs don’t typically have any preference or predictability as to where they will bite their victims. Many victims are bitten on their arms, legs, torso, and face. In any one of these areas, it’s possible that plastic surgery will be necessary to recover your former features, and it should be demanded in the most severe dog bite cases. Most insurance companies will refuse to pay for plastic surgery for your injuries, insisting that emergency room doctors can do as good as job as anyone. Although emergency room doctors are incredibly skilled, their expertise is not in cosmetic reconstruction, and they will not be your best choice for reconstructive surgery.
This is where your Los Angeles dog bite lawyer can really help. Although your insurance company may not help with your cosmetic surgery, whoever is found at fault for your injury should. Many dog attacks occur because of negligent pet owners, and if this is one of the circumstances in your case, that owner should be held responsible for your injuries. In determining the amount of your settlement, your lawyer will account for the cost of plastic surgery, as well as all of the medical expenses not covered by your insurance. Your lawyer will account for more than just the physical damage you’ve undergone, however. Many victims find that being the victim of an animal attack is an incredibly traumatic experience, so your emotional needs will be taken into consideration in your settlement as well.
According to the statutes of limitations, you must file your dog bite claim within a certain amount of time following your attack. If the claim is not filed with that period, it will be considered forfeit and you will not longer have any case to pursue. This makes it incredibly important to contact a dog bite lawyer as soon as you’ve been injured. Doing so will help you win your case because all of the evidence in your favor will be fresh. After weeks and months have gone by, it would not be difficult for the party at fault to claim that the incident was not nearly as severe as you initially claimed it to be. Details may become fuzzy in your mind or the mind of the opposing party, and you may no longer have much of a case to present. Contacting a dog bite lawyer immediately will increase the probability that you will receive a just settlement for your injuries.
If injured, contact a Los Angeles Lawyer or Attorney right away.
