Burbank Dog Bite
Lawyer

Being bitten by a dog can be painful and traumatic. If you were bitten by a dog in Burbank and suffered injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. Hiring a Burbank dog bite lawyer can ensure you pursue and recover the settlement you’re entitled to, for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages.

Here, we’ll take a look at what steps you should take after being bitten by a dog, the California dog bite laws you need to know, and how a dog bite lawyer can help you with your claim, allowing you to focus on your recovery and moving forward with your life.

What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury in California

Document the incident and gather evidence. Take photos of the location where the attack occurred, and your injuries, and take photos of the animal, if possible.
Exchange information with the dog’s owner. If the owner is at the scene, obtain their name, contact, and insurance information.
Obtain witness contact information. If anyone witnessed the incident, obtain their names and contact information.
Seek medical treatment. Even if your injuries appear minor, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent complications such as infection. A medical professional can evaluate your injuries to determine the severity and provide the necessary treatment. Timely medical care will also tie your injuries to the incident while proving the severity of the injuries.
Report the attack. Once you have received medical attention, report the attack to the animal control agency in the area. This will not only help you to identify the owner but can also prevent the dog from biting anyone else.
Contact a lawyer. Contact a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you file a claim, investigate the incident, and gather vital evidence that will prove liability and your demand for compensation.

What Types of Injuries are Most Commonly Sustained in Dog Bite Incidents in Burbank?

The types of injuries most commonly sustained in dog bite incidents in Burbank include:

Broken bones

Crush injuries

Loss of limb

Nerve damage

Infection

Eye injuries

Facial injuries

Head injuries

Psychological trauma

Dog Bite Laws in California: What You Need to Know

Dog bite laws in California you need to know include:

California is a strict liability state. This means that the owner of the dog will be held responsible for bite injuries. You do not have to prove that the owner of the dog was negligent to file a claim and recover compensation for your damages.
You can bring a claim against the owner if you meet the following criteria:
You were bitten while you were in a public place or lawfully on private property.
You were bitten by a dog that was owned by or cared for by the defendant and the bite resulted in injuries and damages.

Why Would I Need to Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Burbank?

You would need to hire a dog bite attorney in Burbank if:

You sustained injuries
You are unable to identify the dog’s owner
You were attacked on private property and the dog’s owner is claiming you were there unlawfully.
The insurance company denied your claim
The insurance company is refusing to pay you a fair settlement

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I can’t thank Aren enough for the incredible work on my case. From our very first meeting, I felt truly heard and understood. He took the time to explain everything to me, and I always felt like I was in good hands. He fought tirelessly to get me the compensation I deserved. I highly recommend the team at Avaness Law to anyone in need of a personal injury attorney who genuinely cares about their clients.

Rita Khechumyan

Avaness law is the vest car accident attorney in town. They helped me Secure a very good settlement. I am very happy with their professionalism and there care. The attorneys here really know what they’re doing and I highly recommend them to everybody in my family and friends.

Vlada Tkachenko

A highly recommended lawyer! Aren Avaness is incredibly knowledgeable, guiding me through every step of the legal process with patience and clarity. I always felt informed and supported. If you’re looking for an attorney who is dedicated, professional, and effective, look no further than him. Thank you for your hard work!

Marina Nazaryan

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“Mr. Avaness and his team are truly amazing. I was in an accident where I was hit from behind and I am extremely glad that I chose Avaness Law to represent me in this case as I have never had to deal with an issue like this before and the team at Avaness Law really helped me feel comfortable and secure knowing my case was in their hands. I would definitely recommend and recommend them to anyone I know!”

Rico Rey

“I was involved in a car accident, and called Avaness Law through a family friend. He was very personable throughout the whole process. It felt like he truly cared for my well-being and was always there when I wanted to speak to him. Highly recommend him!”

ALEX

How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer in Burbank Help Me with My Claim?

A dog bite lawyer in Burbank can help you with your claim by:

Conducting an Investigation

A dog bite attorney can visit the scene where the attack took place. If the incident took place due to the dog escaping their yard, an attorney can photograph the conditions of the yard. They will also take photos of the animal, if possible.

An attorney will gather evidence, such as:

Photos of your injuries
Any reports from animal control regarding the dog’s past behavior or bite incidents
Dog’s vaccination record
Video surveillance footage, if available
Medical bills
Medical records
Expert testimony
Witness testimony

Interviewing Witnesses

If anyone witnessed the incident, your attorney will interview them to get an unbiased account of the events. This can help to strengthen your case.

Assessing Damages

Your attorney will review medical bills, personal property damage estimates, pay stubs, statements from your employer, and consult with experts to determine the cost of future medical treatment, future lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other damages.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company

During this time, your dog bite lawyer will handle all communication with the insurance company. Your attorney will draft a settlement demand letter, outlining the events that occurred, your injuries, the evidence gathered, and your demand for compensation. The insurance company will either accept the terms of the settlement demand letter or they will make a counteroffer. It can take several weeks or months to reach a settlement agreement.

Filing a Lawsuit if Negotiations are not Successful

If settlement negotiations are at a standstill, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit. They will only recommend filing a lawsuit if they believe you stand a better chance of recovering compensation in court. If your case goes to trial, your attorney will be prepared to present your case before a judge and jury.

How Many Years Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in California?

You will have two years from the date of the incident to file a dog bite lawsuit in California. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this time frame, your case will be dismissed and you will be unable to recover compensation for your medical bills or other losses.

Do Dog Bite Lawyers in Burbank Offer Free Consultations?

Yes. Dog bite lawyers in Burbank at Avaness Law offer free consultations. At a consultation, you can meet with an experienced dog bite lawyer to learn about your legal options and rights, discuss your case, and have all of your questions answered. At this time, you can also determine whether the attorney will be a right fit for you. If you decide to hire an attorney on our legal team, they can conduct an investigation right away, help you file a claim, and get to work fighting for your right to fair compensation.

How Much Compensation Can I Expect to Recover from a Dog Bite Claim in Burbank?

How much compensation you can expect to recover from a dog bite claim in Burbank will depend on the following factors:

The severity of your injuries
Your prognosis
How much time you missed at work
How your injuries have affected your life
Whether you are forced to switch careers due to your injuries
Whether you will ever be able to return to work
The value of property damage
Insurance policy limits

There are two types of damages you can pursue: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages (Special Damages)

Economic damages are easily quantifiable. Your attorney will use medical bills, pay stubs, receipts for damaged property, and other forms of documentation to calculate your economic damages.

Examples of economic damages include:

Past and Future Medical Expenses

If you sustained injuries, you can recover compensation for medical treatment. If your injuries will require medical care in the future, your attorney can also pursue compensation for future medical expenses.

Medical treatment can include:

Ambulance transportation
Hospitalization
Medication
Surgeries
Occupational therapy
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Specialist appointments
Doctor’s appointments

And other medical care costs needed to treat bite-related injuries.

Lost Wages

If you were forced to miss work due to your injuries, you can pursue compensation for lost wages. If you have to switch careers due to your injuries, or you will never be able to return to work due to your injuries, your attorney may pursue compensation for loss of earning capacity or loss of future earnings.

Property Damage

If any property on your person, such as your cell phone, was damaged during the attack, your attorney will pursue compensation for property damage.

Non-Economic Damages ( General Damages)

Non-economic damages are subjective. To calculate damages, your attorney will use the multiplier method or the per diem method. With the per diem method, your attorney will assign a daily value, such as the value of your daily wages, and then multiply it by the number of days it took you to recover or reach maximum medical improvement. With the multiplier method, your attorney will choose a number between 1.5 and 5. The more severe your injuries, the higher the value used. Your attorney will use the chosen value and multiply it by the total amount of your economic damages.

Non-economic damages include:

Pain and Suffering

Your attorney will pursue compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you have endured due to the attack and your injuries.

Emotional Distress

If you suffered emotional distress due to the incident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, you may be entitled to compensation for emotional distress.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

If you are unable to participate in the activities or hobbies you once loved, or you cannot attend social gatherings due to your injuries, your attorney can pursue compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.

What areas of Burbank Do Avaness Law Attorneys Serve?

The areas of Burbank the attorneys at Avaness Law serve are listed below:

Downtown Burbank
Magnolia Park
Burbank Hills
Media District
Rancho Adjacent
Toluca Lake
Chandler Park

How Much Does it Cost To Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Burbank?

It will cost 33% to 40% of your settlement or award to hire a dog bite attorney in Burbank. At Avaness Law, our dog bite attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. With this type of payment arrangement, there are no upfront costs and you will owe nothing if your case is not successful. If you do win your case, your attorney will subtract a small percentage of your settlement or award to cover the cost of legal services.