What To Do After Getting Injured In An Animal Attack

Victims of animal attacks in Los Angeles can seek damages for their injuries. The California animal attack and dog bite law provides that animal owners may be held liable for injuries and damages under the concept of strict liability.

Under the law, the owner's liability exists regardless of whether the pet animal had been previously vicious, whether the owner knew of such viciousness, or whether the owner was negligent in respect to the custody or care of his pet or animal.
The essential elements of a claim in animal attacks are:

* Defendant owned a dog

* The dog bit the plaintiff

* The plaintiff, at the time of the bite, was in a public place or lawfully in or on a private place

* The dog bite caused plaintiff to suffer injury, damage, loss or harm.

Here’s what you should do if you have been injured by a dog or animal:

1. Go to the doctor or seek medical treatment for your injuries immediately.

2. Report the incident promptly to the police and request for a copy of the police accident report.

3. Get the name and contact information of the animal owner.

4. Try to get the name and contact information of any people who witnessed the accident.

5. Try to take photographs of the animal which caused your injuries in the location of the accident.

6. Take photographs of any visible injuries you have suffered as a result of the incident with the animal or permit our investigator to accomplish this.

7. Try to save any clothing that may have been damaged by the animal.

8. Avoid communication with the animal owner or his insurance company. If you accept any form of compensation, you may waive your right to claim additional damages.

9. Take photographs of any property damage caused by the animal.

10. Consult a lawyer for evaluation of your case.

Legal Remedies For An Injured Victim In An Animal Attack

Victims of animal attack have legal options to seek recovery from their injuries. Under local laws, an animal owner may have civil liabilities for your injuries.

As a victim, you must prove that the owner is negligent in handling or control of the animal under the circumstances, and that your injuries were a direct result of the owner’s lack of proper care.

Leash laws are generally considered animal control laws created for public health and safety. Violations of those laws is one means of recovering damages from the person or persons responsible for the injuries you suffered as a victim, regardless of whether or not they intended to cause that harm.

The other legal means of recovery includes proving that the defendant was negligent and had violated state laws on animal attacks. The availability of each of these alternative legal means of recovery will naturally depend on the varying facts in each case.

To improve your chances of recovery for your injuries, it is better to consult a personal injury lawyer who has the experience in handling animal attack cases.