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If a pet owner’s negligence allows their pet to injure you, you deserve compensation.

Pets Cause Over 86,000 Falls Per Year

Typically, the first thing that comes to mind when you think of injuries associated with pets is dog bites. It is certainly true that dog bites and dog attacks can result in horrific injuries and even death. However, there is another type of injury caused by pets that you need to watch out for: fall injuries.

According to the CDC, pets cause over 86,000 falls serious enough to merit emergency room treatment every year.

In the period studied for their report, about 85 percent of these falls involved dogs. Of these dog-related falls, about 33 percent happened because a person tripped over a dog and 20 percent happened because a person was pulled by a dog on a leash. Some falls also took place while running away from a dog or while breaking up a dog fight, and additional falls were related to tripping or slipping on dog toys.

The most common injuries suffered in these falls were contusions, abrasions, and bone fractures.

What To Do When Someone Else’s Pet Makes You Fall

If you have been injured in a fall caused by someone else’s pet, you may be able to secure compensation via a personal injury claim. You will need to show that the owner was negligent in the way that they controlled their pet, and this negligence caused your fall to occur.

Of course, in the immediate aftermath of a fall caused by a pet, you may not be sure whether or not negligence was involved. This is why it is always best to proceed as if you wish to file a personal injury claim, taking all necessary steps such as:

  • Taking photos of the scene of the accident to help show how and where the animal tripped you or knocked you down
  • Getting contact information from the owner or handler of the animal
  • Seeking medical treatment ASAP to document your injuries and establish they were caused by your fall
  • Contacting an experienced personal injury attorney

Fernando D. Vargas makes an excellent choice of attorney to consult regarding any kind of animal attack injury, from dog bites to trip and falls. You can trust Attorney Vargas to review the facts of your case carefully and help you understand if there is grounds for a personal injury claim—in other words, if the owner or handler was indeed negligent.

If you have a strong case for compensation, Attorney Vargas will represent you at no out of pocket cost. Instead, he will only require payment if and when he wins you a settlement.

For a free initial consultation regarding your animal-related injury, please call us at 909-982-0707.