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| 11271 Ventura Blvd. |
| Suite 473 |
| Studio City, CA 91604 |
| Phone: 877-479-7970 |
| Fax: 888-509-8864 |
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| Warner Center Towers |
| Phone: 877-479-7970 |
| Fax: 888-509-8864 |
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| Watt Plaza |
| Phone: 877-479-7970 |
| Fax: 888-509-8864 |
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| Fashion Island |
| Phone: 877-479-7970 |
| Fax: 888-509-8864 |
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Animal Bites or Attacks
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Although animal-attack claims most commonly involve dog bites, many other types of domesticated animals, such as ferrets, cats, and even birds, can also cause damage to humans. An owner's liability for injuries caused by his or her pet, if any, will vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and will depend on the facts surrounding the resulting injury.
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Succeeding in Animal Attack Cases
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To succeed in most animal attack cases, the injured person must prove that the animal that caused the injury was owned and kept by the defendant. Additionally, the injured person may also need to prove that the owner of the animal was somehow negligent with regard to the animal and that such negligence resulted in the damage to the injured person.
An animal owner may be found liable under any circumstances in which they had knowledge of the viciousness nature of the animal but failed to act in order to prevent injury to others. If these steps are not taken, the injured party may be able to recover his or her damages.
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Although rare, the law has special provisions for individuals who keep animals generally considered wild, such as lions, bears, and monkeys. Due to the natural dangerous tendencies of these animals, generally, owners of these animals are strictly liable for injuries caused by such animals regardless of whether the particular animal is known to be dangerous. Keep in mind that strict liability may not apply if the animal injures someone while it is confined or restrained on by its owner.
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Defenses
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People who are injured in animal attacks are not always entitled to recover damages. For example, if the animal was provoked by the injured person, recovery may be denied. Similarly, if a person is injured as a result of ignoring the warnings from a pet owner, recovery may also be denied. Additionally, people who are injured by an animal while they are unlawfully on the property of another or trespassing may be unable to recover.
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If you or someone you know has suffered personal injuries as a result of an animal attack, an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can advise you on whether you may have a claim against the owner of the animal.
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Contact us at 877-479-7970, or e-mail us at info@law-thomas.com, to arrange for a confidential complimentary consultation on your personal injury legal needs.
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Q: What kind of compensation may I recover for my injuries?
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A: An injured person may be awarded compensation, or damages, for: Medical expenses; Future medical expenses; Expenses to care for the injured person; Lost income; Loss of income in the future; Pain and suffering; Loss of enjoyment of life; ans/or Loss of consortium, or spousal relations. In some cases, an injured person may be able to collect punitive damages, which are meant to punish a person who acted badly. Punitive damages, if any, would be in addition to the damages listed. If you read reports of verdicts or settlements in catastrophic injury cases, you may be struck by the large amounts of money involved. Remember that this money is meant to pay for many different, and expensive, things: extra medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering. A catastrophic injury takes away part of a person's life, and money damages are the law's way of attempting to pay for that loss.
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