Dog Bite
Dogs can be lovable, gentle and playful. They can also be good guardians to their owners. However, in some cases they are the opposite and can bite. The statistics on dog bites show that millions of Americans are bitten by dogs each year and about 20% of those bites require medical treatment. Orange County is no stranger to this and has its share of dog bite injuries.
If you have suffered a dog bite injury in an Orange County city, then you may be entitled to compensation for expenses such as medical bills, pain and suffering or even cosmetic surgery to repair damage caused by a dog’s bite. Under California Law, Civil Code § 3342 the dog owner “is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog.” While this law helps establish liability for a dog bite, there are many other issues such as the lack of insurance or the attempt by Insurance Companies to exclude coverage for the dog bite, sometimes based upon a clause in the insurance policy, that require the expertise of attorney that has successfully resolved dog bite cases for decades for persons bitten by dogs. As a Tustin-based dog bite injury lawyer, Kyle Scott can help you through the process of navigating Orange County’s insurance and legal system to receive the full and fair compensation you deserve as a result of a dog bite injury. If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of a dog bite, let us review your case at no cost.
Call the law offices of Kyle Scott in Tustin at 714-544-1460 today.
Serious Dog Bites Require Medical Attention
Of course your health is the number one priority and if a bite from a dog is serious you should seek medical attention right away. Damage to muscles and tissue need to be treated immediately.
Dogs’ mouths contain a host of bacteria so a puncture wound from a dog bite can introduce organisms into your body that can grow and spread if left untreated. If antibiotics are needed, the faster you seek treatment, the more effective it can be. Dog bites can result in scarring, loss of function, especially if tendon, often times if the hand is damaged by a bite, and ongoing psychological trauma, resulting in recurring nightmares, stress and anxiety, fear of dogs and often times resulting in post-traumatic stress syndrome. Knowing whether you should have an expert consult with a plastic surgeon, a hand trauma specialist or psychologist is something our law firm can provide to you or your loved one.
Preventing Dog Bites
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” hold true in dog bite cases. It’s always better to stay safe than to endure a bite injury. To that end keep in mind:
• Choose even tempered dogs as family pets
• Keep your distance from unfamiliar dogs
• Do not leave children (especially young ones) alone with a dog
• Avoid playing with dogs that are eating or nursing puppies
• Do not allow young children to have food or other snacks while around dogs as some dogs can become “food aggressive” to the point that they will bite a young child because of the presence of food.
Dog Bite Treatments
Again, if you’ve been bitten by a dog, it’s important to seek immediate medical care for the reasons already stated. However, there are some intermediate steps you can take at home. These are no substitute for professional medical care and are listed only as a common sense first aid treatment until you can see a trained medical professional.
• Cover the injury with a clean towel to stop or slow bleeding
• Elevate the injured area of the body
• Wash the wound gently with soap and water
• Use a sterile bandage on the wound.
• Make use of antibiotic ointment for the wound
Dog Bite Legal Help in Orange County
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a bite from a dog in Orange County under California law the owner is strictly liable and you do not even have to prove that the dog owner was negligent, you may be able to collect damages and be compensated for related medical expenses, pain and suffering or other expenses you incur as a result of the bite. To know if you have a dog bite case, you should contact an Orange County attorney well-versed in dog bite law who can evaluate your case. These bites can be serious injuries, they can cause unsightly scarring and result in long-term physical and psychological injuries that can disrupt your life, your health and cost you money.
Talk to the Tustin law offices of Kyle Scott Law at 714-544-1460 or 866-757-0959 to better understand your options and how to proceed in the Orange County legal system. If you’ve been injured, we can help!