Dog Bites and Attacks

What to Do After a Dog Bite in California

In the US, there are about 90 million dogs in peoples’ homes as pets. So with that many dogs around people all of the time, you may not be surprised to find out that there are about 4.5 million dog bites each year. While most people do not require medical attention following a bite, about 1 in 5 will.

If you are bitten by a dog, here is a quick guide to getting the proper help:

1. Acquire contact info from the owner. If you cannot verify that the dog has received the proper vaccinations, you will require rabies inoculation.
2. Use soap and water to clean the bite area thoroughly. This will help to prevent an infection from occurring.
3. If a serious injury has occurred and you cannot care for your own injuries or reach a medical facility on your own, call 911. For less serious injuries, you may call your doctor and ask for advice on whether a trip to the ER is needed.
4. Contact the veterinarian who treats the dog directly. Don’t take the owner’s word for it that the pet is up to date on immunizations.
5. Keep track of any medical bills you accrue or work you may have missed due to the injury and bring this information with you to your personal injury lawyer.

Dog Bite Attorney in San Diego, California

The attorneys at Petrov Law Firm are experts in the law when it comes to injuries due to dog attacks. If you have been injured by a dog bite, contact us today at 619-344-0360 to schedule a consultation.

Important Information for Families Regarding Dog Bites

If you have children, it is important to teach them safety around dogs, even if your family has a docile pet in the home. According to Canine Journal, Americans are twice as likely to be killed by a bee as a dog, and 20 times more likely to be killed by a gun, but that doesn’t mean you should be unprepared. Here are some facts about dog bites that can help you teach your children.

• In 25% of fatal dog attacks, the dog is chained up. That makes it vital to instruct your children not to approach chained dogs. The chain is there for a reason.
• While pit bulls have a terrible reputation as being the most dangerous breed, there are other dog breeds that are known to bite. Another common breed is German shepherds, which can be very protective.
• Most dogs that bite have not been neutered or spayed, so always have the family pet fixed to reduce the risks.
• Insurance companies paid out over half a billion dollars in claims due to dog bites in 2017 alone, so if you suffer an injury from someone else’s dog, you may be able to seek compensation.

If You or a Family Member Has Been Injured in a Dog Attack

If you or a loved one have been injured by a dog, you need the help of the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm. Medical bills can really add up after a dog bite, and the owner’s insurance may compensate you depending on the circumstances. To see if you should pursue a settlement, contact us today at 619-344-0360.

Southern California’s Most Common Personal Injury Suits

When someone is injured, you may wonder who should be held responsible for the medical bills and other losses the injured person may have experienced. Let’s see how this question applies to some of the more common ways in which individuals are injured in Southern California.

• Car Accidents – Automotive accident injuries are extremely common and often lead to major medical expenses. However, California is a fault state, so liability is determined by the percent of fault the various parties share.
• Slip and Fall Injuries – Whether you slip on wet tile or trip over a run in the carpet, what needs to be determined is whether the property owner caused the issue, knew about the issue, and had enough time to respond to the issue.
• Dog Attacks – Dog bites are probably more common than you think. Children are the most likely to be bitten, so it is vital to monitor the interactions between children and animals. If a dog bite occurs, the owner may be culpable depending on the circumstances.

Personal Injury Lawyers in Southern California

If you have been injured in any of the ways mentioned in this article, the personal injury lawyers at Petrov Law Firm can help. We have experience in helping the victims of car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and dog bites receive a proper settlement. To learn more, schedule a consultation with our conveniently located San Diego and Chula Vista offices today. Just call 619-344-0360 to get started.

Dog Bites: A Common Issue in the US (Especially California)

According to Canine Journal, dogs bite approximately 4.5 million people every year. That’s a shocking number (although not as shocking if you consider the fact that American households keep about 90 million dogs as pets nationwide).

The good news is that over 80% of dog bites do not cause injuries requiring medical treatment according to the National Canine Research Council. In fact, your lifetime odds of being killed in a dog attack is 1 in 112,382. As a point of reference, you have a 1 in 315 chance of being killed by a gun in the US (according to a February 2018 article in Business Insider.)

If you do happen to be injured in a dog attack, what should you do?

• Get the owner’s contact info if the owner is present. You’re going to want the dog’s immunization records. Without those, you will have to be inoculated for rabies.
• Clean the would thoroughly with soap and water to stave off the risk of infection.
• If you are seriously injured, you may need to call 911. If the injury isn’t that bad and it is during your doctor’s normal office hours, you can call to see if your doctor will see you at the office or recommends that you go to the ER.
• Call the dog’s vet to ensure the animal’s immunizations are up to date.
• If you have accumulated medical bills or suffered other losses as a result of the attack, contact a personal injury attorney.

California Personal Injury Attorneys Specializing in Dog Bites

At Petrov Law Firm, we specialize in helping victims of dog bites and other animal attacks. To gain the benefits of our expertise on this topic, call us today at 619-344-0360.

Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury in California

If you have been injured in the state of California, you may be due certain forms of compensation. For example, you may be able to recover medical bills that incurred due to the injury. You may even be able to get compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and to cover other damages.

But you have to act promptly. Why? California has statute of limitations laws that protect the offending party if you allow too much time to pass between the injury and the claim. Here are a few things you need to know.

Statute of Limitations by Claim Type

The type of claim dictates how quickly you have to build your case. Here are three examples:

• When a government agency is involved – If you have a claim against a government agency (you have a slip and fall accident in a government building, for example), you only have 6 months to make your claim.
• Personal injury – If you were in a car accident or suffered a personal injury in another way, you get two full years to make a claim. However, you still need to start building your case right from day one by seeking medical attention and then finding a lawyer to represent you.
• Property damage – Property damage claims have a three-year statute of limitations.

Filing Your Personal Injury Claim in Southern California

If you have suffered a personal injury in the state of California, now is the time to act. Petrov Law Firm has personal injury attorneys that service Southern California from our San Diego and Chula Vista locations. To learn more, call us today at 619-344-0360.

4 Tips for Safety as a Runner

If you love to run, you probably recognize the need to exercise caution in certain circumstances. Road conditions, vehicles that may be sharing the road, and neighborhood dogs can all be concerns depending on where you choose to get your exercise in. Today, we’re going to look at 4 safety tips for runners if you tend to encounter dogs on your route.

1. Stay alert – Most dog attacks can be avoided simply by keeping out of the animal’s way. Don’t stray into a private yard or run too close to someone who is struggling to control a dog.
2. Change your route – If a neighborhood dog seems dangerous, you may want to consider mapping out a route that doesn’t go near his family home.
3. Keep your distance – If you can safely cross the street or in some other way avoid a dog that has gotten lose, putting the most distance between the two of you is always a good idea.
4. Know the signs – Are the dog’s hackles up? Is it growling? Is it trying to challenge you by locking stares? While you may sometimes encounter a friendly dog on your daily run, don’t engage a dog that is clearly looking for a fight.

If You Have Suffered a Dog Bite in Southern California

If you have suffered a dog bite in California while running or performing any other activity, you may be due compensation for medical bills or other losses you might have suffered. To learn more, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm in San Diego by calling 619-344-0360.

Top 5 Industries for Work Injury Claims

Some jobs are just more dangerous than others. However, you may be surprised to find out which career fields see the most claims. We’re going to take a look at five jobs that may not seem that dangerous at first glance but that result in a high percentage of claims according to California’s Department of Labor.

1. Animal workers – Animals can be unpredictable. So whether your job is to feed, raise, or slaughter animals, you’re in one of the riskiest businesses in California.
2. Messengers – Between UPS, FedEx, and the US postal office, there isn’t a huge private courier service population. But if you are the rare independent messenger, be careful. Injury rates are over 6%.
3. Woodworking – If you work in manufacturing and deal with wood product assembly, you’re actually in the most dangerous manufacturing field.
4. Air transport – Passengers may be far safer in the air than on land, but pilots, aircraft mechanics, and workers who transfer freight are all at high risk.
5. Nursing and home care – This is the number one most dangerous job in California based on the sheer rate of injuries. And if you thought you were in danger working in the private sector, government employees face nearly double the risk of any other career in the state.

Personal Injury Lawyers in Southern California

If you have suffered a personal injury in or near the San Diego area, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm are here to help. Just call 619-344-0360 to get started on your case today.

What You Need to Know About a Personal Injury Claim if You Have a Preexisting Condition

If you are filing a personal injury claim, you want to be straightforward about any preexisting conditions you may have, especially with your lawyer. Why do clients sometimes withhold information about preexisting issues? What effect can this have on a claim? Read on to learn about this important factor in a personal injury suit.

Why People Feel the Need to Hide a Preexisting Condition

You may think that if you reveal a preexisting condition, it will affect the amount of your settlement. For example, if you get migraines but they become far worse after your car accident, you may neglect to mention you already would get migraines before. Why? Well, you may be concerned that opposing counsel will try to limit your medical compensation because the migraines were a preexisting condition and the fact that they got worse may have had nothing to do with the accident.

Why You Should Disclose Any Preexisting Conditions or Injuries

While the above scenario could be true, imagine how bad it will look when the condition comes out (and it will) during the course of a trial or negotiations. Now it goes from something that could have a minor effect on the settlement to something that calls into question your credibility as a whole. That can have a major effect on your case.

Personal Injury Attorneys to Help You in Southern California

Petrov Law Firm is here to help you with your settlement, so please don’t hide any preexisting conditions from our personal injury attorney. While you may be concerned it will hurt your case, comparing your medical condition before and after the injury may help make your case even more clear and help you to get a better settlement. To get started on your case, call us today at 619-344-0360.

Laws that Apply When a Personal Injury Settlement Involves a Minor

If someone under the age of 18 in the state of California is involved in a personal injury settlement, there are additional regulations that do not apply in all personal injury cases. What do you need to know about and how many this affect your settlement?

In California, court supervision is required for cases involving minors. These regulations have been put in place by the state in order to ensure that children get a fair settlement. The funds will not be accessible to the child until he or she turns 18. In most cases, the funds will either be used to purchase an annuity or they will be put into a blocked account.

If an annuity is the chose form of settlement payment, funds with either be received annually starting from when the child turns 18 or they may be dispensed in lump sums at certain time periods (for example, one payment every three years or at particular birthdays until of the money is divested).

There are certain rare exceptions where the settlement is determined to be a sum of less than $5,000 where the money becomes immediately available for the minor. In even more exceptional situations, the court may allow parents to make funds available to minors before they turn 18. However, the circumstances surrounding such a situation need to be quite extraordinary.

Help in Attaining Fair Personal Injury Settlements

The courts often only provide assistance for minors seeking a settlement. Thus, it may become necessary to hire a personal injury attorney to determine if an insurance provider is offering a reasonable settlement. Petrov Law Firm will be happy to help you determine what a fair settlement should be. Contact us today at 619-344-0360.

3 Questions to Answer When You Suffer a Personal Injury

If you have been injured, you may wonder how you will receive compensation for your medical bills, lost work, and other expenses that you incur. The solution will be related to the answers to the following three questions.

What Type of Injury Did You Suffer?

There are a number of different ways that may have sustained a personal injury. Some of these possibilities include:

• Car accidents
• Dog or other animal bites
• Slip and fall accidents

The way you were injured is important because different California state laws will dictate who is at fault for the injury and how the expenses will be covered.

When Did the Injury Occur?

Why is the timing of the injury important? It is because California state law has a statute of limitations on seeking compensation for an accident that leads to injury. As a result, it is important to seek legal assistance as soon as you can following such an injury.

Who Is Responsible for the Injury?

Finally, you need to determine if there was any fault or negligence on the part of someone else that led to your injury. Most defending lawyers in a personal injury case will try to make a case that blame is shared due to various factors. You want someone in your corner who can ensure you are fully compensated for your losses.

Personal Injury Lawyers in San Diego, California

If you have been injured in southern California, contact the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm. We have the experience and ability to help you maximize your settlement. Call 619-344-0360 today to get started.