California Personal Injury Law Firm AFBL Seeks Compensation For Dog Bite Victims
Brooklinn Khoury is a professional skateboarder who was featured in Vogue a month before a pitbull jumped on her and tore off her top lip. She describes the dog as an animal she had met on several prior occasions.
Unfortunately, it is quite common for dogs to attack a human who has met the animal before.
“I can’t wrap my head around why this is happening to me but I know God has a greater plan, I just can’t see it now. On November 3rd I was severely attacked in the face by a pit Bull, my whole top lip and edges of my nose are completely ripped off. It’s crazy how your life can change so dramatically in the split of a second. I’m trying to stay as positive as I can about this whole situation, but I will be honest I am scared about my future, or if I’ll ever be able to smile again or eat normally.” — @brookhoury via Instagram
Dog bit incidents leave victims with emotional and physical scars and trauma. Dog attacks often cause serious, life-changing disfigurement and injuries which can require hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical care. One of Khoury’s operations for reconstruction of her upper lip is reported to cost $400,000.
In addition to medical expenses, dog bite victims deserve financial compensation for their resulting pain and suffering, trauma, and lost wages. When one’s appearance is a key factor to their success in a certain job or industry, physical damage can significantly harm their career and earning potential. The incident in which Khoury was viciously bitten by the dog took place just one day before she was to film her first television commercial.
Sometimes, dog bites or strikes are fatal.
“During 2011–2021, a total of 468 deaths from being bitten or struck by a dog occurred (average = 43 deaths per year). The annual number of deaths ranged from 31 (2016) to 81 (2021). During 2011–2016, more deaths occurred among males than among females during most years; however, during 2017–2021, more deaths occurred among females than among males. From 2018 to 2021, deaths more than doubled for both males (from 15 to 37) and females (from 20 to 44).” — National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Data, 2011–2021
California Dog Bite Laws Are Strict
Dog Bite Lawyers can help victims seek full compensation especially in states like California where laws hold owners liable for all bites that occur publicly or on private property where the victim was lawfully present. Under California law, dog owners are liable for biting people, without the victim having to prove that the owner knew about the dog’s aggressive or violent nature, and regardless of whether or not the owner made an effort to prevent the dog from harming a human.
“The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness” — California Civil Code § 3342
You have rights. If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, call Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie today.
Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie
4400 MacArthur Blvd STE 370, Newport Beach, CA 92660