Dogs can be man’s best friend, but there is no denying that dog bites are serious business. Even friendly dogs present a risk of dog bites because any dog will react aggressively to certain stressors, such as fear or pain. In addition, there any dogs out there under the care of irresponsible pet owners, and these dogs are particularly prone to biting. Certain things, when done or not done, can lead to an increased risk of aggressive behavior. These include failure to spay or neuter, failure to socialize the dog early in life, and circumstances of abuse or neglect.
A recent State Farm article reveals that California is the number one state for dog bite injuries. Steinberg Injury Lawyers, as your Los Angeles dog bite attorneys, do not find this surprising at all. Every month we field many calls from families who have been the victim of aggressive dog bites by pets of neighbors, friends, or strangers. There are just under 90 million dogs living as pets in the U.S., and 4.5 million dog bites reported each year. Many of those take place in California, and many of those are right here in Los Angeles.
Out of 3,600 dog bite-related insurance claims that State Farm processed in 2017, 488 originated in the state of California. This is nearly 14 percent of dog bite claims for that year. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that around a third of all homeowner’s insurance claims are related to dog bites, with the average payout from State Farm on such claims being around $37,051.
If you, your child, or a loved one have been bitten by a dog then you should get an experienced Los Angeles dog bite attorney involved from day one. We can effectively advocate on your behalf, whether it is with the pet owner’s insurance company or in a court of law. In many instances, the dog owner can be held financially responsible for the cost of your medical bills, as well as pain and suffering. Call the Los Angeles dog bite lawyers at Steinberg Injury Lawyers today at 1-800-350-8888. Consultations are free and our attorneys are waiting to assist you and your family. It takes just one call to find out how we can help.
