With more than 40 years of experience handling personal injury cases, our Palm Springs injury attorneys have helped hundreds of clients get the settlements they deserve. Our compassionate and tenacious lawyers fight to seek solutions that meet our clients’ needs, and we always strive to provide a stress-free experience. We are proud when we get to share success stories like the following.
The Initial Injury
A 64-year-old woman was enjoying her time at a friend’s rented condominium. Suddenly, she was attacked and bitten by her friend’s Chihuahua dog. Startled and scared, she tried to escape from the dog, who continued aggressively biting her. In the process of trying to get away, however, she twisted and sprained her knee. The resulting medical records showed that her knee was, in fact, injured.
The Resulting Trauma
Two weeks after the biting incident, she was descending a staircase from a second floor stairway when her injured knee locked. Her leg stuck in front of her, she slid on her backside down the stairs and slammed into the wall at the bottom, punching a hole in the drywall with her heel. She sustained a heel fracture and left and right knee injuries from this contact with the wall, and she ultimately required surgeries for her heel and both knees. Due to her status as a Canadian, she was treated under the Canadian Health System. The resulting medical bills totaled $15,000.
The Defendant’s Response
Under California Civil Code Section 3342, the owner of the dog was liable for the dog bite injuries. The code states, “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.”
The defendant’s response, however, was to argue that that the dog bite didn’t cause the woman’s knee injuries and certainly didn’t cause her to fall down the stairs two weeks later. Furthermore, the defendant hired an insurance-friendly doctor who did not believe the woman could have generated enough force sliding down the stairs to punch a hole in the drywall. The defendant’s final argument stated that the incident of falling down the stairway did not occur as the woman said it did.
The Successful Outcome
Several days before the case went to trial, our firm was able to reach a settlement with the defendant. We proceeded through a 6-hour mediation hearing and were able to achieve a settlement of $315,000 for our client. Our firm represented the woman with tenacity and tact, ultimately winning the case and helping our client get the funds she needed for her injuries and more.
Contact Our Firm Today at (760) 440-5643!
With dedicated representation, Barry Regar APLC fights for clients’ rights in personal injury cases. Our experienced Palm Springs injury attorneys have guided many clients to successful solutions, and we can investigate your case and represent you against insurance companies in court. If you have been injured, we can help you seek a settlement through mediation, and we are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
For quality representation in personal injury cases, contact our firm today.