Are Dog Bite Injuries Common in Southern California?

Michael Waks

10 years ago

If you’ve ever been attacked or bitten by a dog, you are not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 4.5 million people are victims of a dog bite each year. Nearly one of every five people bitten, 885,000 Americans, need medical treatment, and 27,000 of them require reconstructive surgery.

California has the unfortunate distinction of being tied with North Carolina for the most dog bite related fatalities, mostly in San Diego County.

How Serious is a Dog Bite?

Most people who have been bitten by a dog were surprised by the attack. Unless it has happened to you, it is hard to imagine how scary and serious a dog attack can be. Aside from the emotional trauma a dog bite victim experiences, he or she can also be severely physically injured. Dog bite injuries range from punctures, cuts and abrasions, to fractured bones, infections, scarring and disfigurement. In some tragic cases, a dog attack even results in a wrongful death.

Although we generally feel safe around dogs, especially breeds not known to be aggressive in nature, any dog can attack at any time. Caution should be used around all dogs especially with children under 10 years of age, since statistically they are at the highest risk for dog bite attacks. When a child is attacked by a dog, he or she often suffers from permanent facial scarring and emotional conditions that can require surgery and long-term medical and/or psychological treatment.

Is a Dog Owner Liable For Dog Bites in California?

While some states hold dog owners liable only if he or she knew, or should have known, his or her dog might bite, California has strict liability laws related to dog bites. If a dog bite victim is legally on the premises and an unprovoked dog attack occurs, the dog’s owner is liable for any resulting injuries.

Dog bite claims have routinely been covered by the dog owner’s homeowners insurance policy. Recently some insurance companies have started excluding coverage of certain breeds. The best chance a dog bite accident victim has of collecting maximum compensation for his or her injuries is to hire a personal injury attorney with experience in dog bite cases. An attorney has the knowledge and expertise to deal with aggressive insurance companies and dog owners who try to deny liability.

Contact an Experienced Long Beach Dog Bite Attorney to Assist with Your Claim

“Your Injuries are Personal to Me”

My law practice exclusively represents personal injury victims and does so with a deep understanding of their suffering and an absolute commitment to their recovery. I take your injuries personally, and that is why I directly handle all aspects of every case to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.

Call the Law Office of Michael D. Waks at 888-394-1174 or use the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation. You are under no obligation and you will never pay any money unless you recover damages for your injuries. I offer bilingual services as part of my comprehensive approach to legal representation and I am available 24/7 to talk to you about your case.

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Michael Waks

Michael Waks is an aggressive advocate for people who have suffered because of someone else’s actions. Michael decided to become a personal injury lawyer when, while clerking at a legal defense firm during law school, he witnessed and was infuriated by asbestos manufacturers spending millions to avoid taking responsibility for the egregious injuries they caused. Immediately after passing the bar, Michael opened his own firm in Long Beach, CA to help the victims of personal injury accidents get every benefit owed them under the law.