A California family is dealing with the aftermath of a tragic incident involving a dog they brought home that suddenly and unexpectedly attacked their six-month-old daughter. The little girl suffered a large cut and a punctured skull. The injuries were severe enough to require brain surgery.
They had just brought the dog into their home the day before in what they thought was an act of kindness. They knew this dog and were trying to keep it from becoming homeless.
What this story highlight is that you never know when a dog will attack. It also shows us that children are particularly vulnerable, as they have no way to defend themselves or fight back.
In this case, the parents thought they were doing the right thing. There is nobody to blame. Often though, dog attacks happen due to the negligence of a dog’s owner.
If you need a San Diego dog attack attorney, you can count on Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP to be by your side. Their team will work to recover the compensation you deserve.
WHAT HAPPENS?
You may be surprised to find out that, according to the CDC, there are around 4.7 million dog bites that occur each year in the Unites States. We know, that sounds like a high number. While most of those bites are not severe, around 800,000 do require medical attention. Just a few years ago, California had the highest number of dog bite claims of any state in the country.
Often, these bites occur when we least expect it. Like the story above, we let our family and friends around dogs all the time. Accidents that happen in these situations are just that – accidents.
Other times, though a dog owner’s negligence is to blame. If an owner takes their dog off of its leash, despite municipal laws that require pets be leashed at all times, they could be held liable if an attack happens.
There are other times when a dog has a history of being aggressive. If this is the case and an owner lets the dog around other people, they should be held responsible for any harm it causes.
Dogs have strong jaws and their bites can cause severe soft tissue damage. Often, the bites get infected and need further treatment. Other times, if the injury is bad enough, plastic surgery is required to fix the damage.
Many people who suffer from a dog attack report symptoms of PTSD long after the incident has taken place.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog attack and you believe it was caused by the negligence of someone else, seek legal assistance immediately. We know how traumatic these incidents can be and we want to help. The injuries can be devastating, causing both physical and emotional harm. When you need a dog attack attorney in San Diego, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling our office.