Personal injury attorneys can help victims seek compensation for dog bite fatalities and dog bite injuries
Dog bite incidents continue to be a serious problem, as the latest statistics from advocacy group DogsBite.org show. In 2015, 34 people were fatally attacked by dogs in the US, and many thousands more suffered non-fatal but nonetheless serious dog bites requiring medical attention.
Dog Bite Fatality Risk Factors
While any dog may bite under stressful circumstances, statistics do seem to indicate some specific risk factors that are associated with a greater risk of a fatality:
Large or Aggressive Breed: Pit bulls are often demonized as a dangerous or even deadly breed. And it is true that they accounted for the vast majority of dog bite fatalities in 2015. In fact, they caused 82 percent of these fatalities—the highest annual death count ever recorded for the breed. While it is not fair to say all large dogs are violent and aggressive, large dogs are simply more powerful than small ones so it is not surprising that they can inflict more damage when they attack.
Dog Packs: In 2015, exactly half of all fatal dog bite incidents involved multiple dogs. A pack mentality can definitely contribute to the danger of an attack and make it more difficult for the victim to escape without serious or fatal injuries.
Guard Dogs: Whether or not a dog is bred to be a guard dog, it may naturally feel protective towards its master and/or its master’s property. This may be why 71 percent of 2015 dog bite fatalities occurred on the dog owner’s property.
Vulnerable Victim: Another risk factor for a dog attack turning fatal may be the age of the victim, as young children and senior citizens may be less able to fend off an attack. In 2015, 41 percent of individuals killed by dogs were children 9 and under and 38 percent were adults 60 or older.
Dog Attacks Don’t Have to Be Deadly to Deserve Compensation
In the state of California, dog owners are strictly liable for the actions of their pets. This includes any degree of injury caused by the animal biting, attacking, or even tripping a person without provocation. Remember, even a small bite can be a very traumatic experience, so even when medical costs are low you may deserve compensation for pain and suffering.
So, if you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, it is definitely in your interests to contact an experienced dog bite injury attorney like Michael A. Kahn to learn more about your rights under the law and your potential for recovering compensation. Call us at (310) 209-1600 to request your free initial consultation.
