Seeking for Wrongful Death Compensations for Fatal Dog Bite Accidents

Even though dog bite accidents are fairly common in the United States, it does not mean that Americans have to take the issue lightly. According to statistics, dozens of Americans get killed due to dog bite accidents, which is why it is imperative for everyone to take all precautionary measures in owning or petting dogs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.5 million of Americans get bitten by dogs every year. Additionally, according to various dog bite statistics, in 2011 alone, at least 31 people were killed in the country due to dog attacks. Although the fatality rate is relatively low as compared to other types of personal injury accidents, such rate should warrant everyone to be wary of the situation.

In the State of California, in an aim to lessen cases of dog attacks, strict liability rule is in effect. Under the legal theory of strict liability, it is the responsibility of dog owners to restrain their dogs from attacking or biting people. In case that the dog bites a person, its owner can be held liable for the accident regardless whether or not the attack was caused by his or her negligence.

In relation to California’s strict liability rule, when a person is killed due to a dog bite accident, his or her surviving family members have the right to claim for wrongful death compensations. Under the law, the owner of the dog that killed a person should provide the decedent’s survivors with appropriate damages.

Survivors of a fatal dog bite accident victim can be entitled to various wrongful death damages, including:

•    Medical treatment and hospitalization expenses
•    Funeral expenses
•    Pain and suffering damages
•    Emotional distress and mental anguish damages
•    Loss of care, protection, and services damages
•    Loss of consortium damages
•    Loss of medical benefits and pension damages
•    Loss of inheritance damages

Family members or financial dependents of a fatal dog attack victim are advised to take all necessary legal actions to successfully claim for wrongful death damages. Survivors are strongly advised to hire Los Angeles wrongful death lawyers who can help them in asserting for their claim.

Survivors of wrongful death victims should know and understand their rights under the law to properly receive their deserved compensations. On the other hand, it is a must for all California dog owners to take all necessary actions to prevent their pets from injuring or killing people.