Author: MichaelEhline

Weighed Against the Circumstances and Liability.

Punitive damages are designed to punish an evil-doer so they won’t do it again and to show the public this behavior is intolerable. They are considered extraordinary losses and are usually based on outrageous conduct beyond ordinary negligence.

To begin with, the first thing you or a loved one should do after a dog bite attack is to seek immediate medical attention. Quality medical care is necessary whether the attack appears to be a mere scratch or a severe ripping bite. Furthermore, such care also allows you to reduce the chance of infection or the transmission of rabies.

After medical treatment, your family may be considering its legal rights and options. This is where the role of a legal professional, such as the trusted attorneys of the Ehline Law Firm APLC, is necessary. Such vaunted experts are required to chart your subsequent decisions. No two cases are exactly alike and often require different legal advice when seeking punitive damages.

Understanding the Ferocity of the Dog’s Attack.

Such a lawsuit often depends on the actual attack’s circumstances. These may include:

• Extent of medical injuries. The harsher the injury, the increased chance of a suit. Typical dog bite injuries include contusions, ripping injuries, bleeding, soft tissue damage, and post-traumatic stress. A skilled attorney weighs each of these with the long-term cost of treatment and rehab. The lawyer may also consult experts to determine the loss of other elements of the injured’s life. This often includes loss of earning potential. In other cases, this provides a loss of enjoyment of life with family or loved ones. But punitive damages look at prior acts by the dog and the viciousness to determine duties owed beyond ordinary negligence damages.
• Liability of the dog owner. This includes whether the owner acted intentionally or recklessly. Often, dog restraints, or lack thereof, are a key determinant. In addition, whether the dog attacked before weighing punitive damages. Lawyers also consider the role of training– or lack thereof– played in the attack.

Determining the weight of punitive damages liability after an attack is an inexact science. Also, insurance won’t cover punitive damages because bad people would start buying insurance and harm people intentionally because they have nothing to lose.

Contacting a law firm with the best possible reputation in Southern California makes a key difference. Contact Ehline Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC, for more info today. We are here to help. Furthermore, we travel anywhere in the state. In addition, if you don’t win, we don’t ask for a cent. In conclusion, see why we are so trusted.

Are dog attacks still a significant risk for both postal employees and children?

Los Angeles is the second-most dangerous city for dog attacks against letter carriers in the U.S. Dogs, over time, will view uniformed mail carriers as a threat because the mail carrier leaves six days a week, every time after the dog barks. Over time, the animal feels validated that the mailman or woman is a threat because the dog thinks it “protected” its home by scaring off the intruder. So, over time, dogs can view the mail carriers’ uniforms as a potential threat.

So, our uniformed letter carriers have good reason to be cautious when they hear or see a barking dog. And since June 14-20, 2020, is all about dog bite prevention week, I thought I would share my thoughts as a Los Angeles lawyer who helps postal workers attacked by domesticated animals. Man’s best friend is a crucial companion for millions nationwide. However, dogs also represent one of the highest injury risks for:

1. Young children. (This figure includes children living within the household itself).
2. Elderly visitors.
3. U.S. postal workers are walking on their mail routes.

Attacks against mail delivery people in Los Angeles have seen their fair share of media coverage. Most of us have seen the mostly white postal truck with its right-hand steering wheels parked along residential streets. Postal workers pull over, grab their mailbags, and start walking the shoulder of the roads and paths at a brisk pace. And this has been their job for ages since the inception of the Pony Express.

But occasionally, Rover, Fido, and a pack of dogs get loose from a neighbor’s yard. Female dogs in heat can especially make male dogs jump fences and dig holes to get a chance at mating. And when something like that happens, uniformed postal workers are rarely not perceived as a threat to dogs. After all, being the ancestors of wolves, canines are territorial by nature.

Most postal employees know if they run, they will get nipped or bitten in the buttocks or ankle, thrown to the asphalt and ripped apart, or worse. So, these government employees are trained to stand their ground and defend against the attack if possible.

How U.S.P.S. Campaigns Like “Be Alert: Prevent the BITE” Can Helping Reduce Dog Attacks Against Postal Delivery People

Most mail delivery personnel will carry mace or some dog repellent. But no amount of pepper spray can stop every determined canine from attacking. Furthermore, certain breeds are far more likely to attack, leading to caution.

Such strains of dogs are much more likely to attack. These breeds tend to maim or, in some cases, even kill compared to other domesticated dogs. The United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) is ringing in National Dog Bite Awareness Week with all this in mind.

What Do the 2020 U.S. Postal Service Dog Attack National Rankings Say?

There is good news for U.S. postal workers in 2020. According to the U.S.P.S., attacks on postal workers by dogs have dropped annually since 2017. In 2019, attacks against mail people substantially decreased by almost 200 episodes from 2018.

However, the 5,803 dog attacks in 2019 represent a whopping 400 fewer attacks than in 2017. That is a significant drop that contributes to the safety of postal workers and civilians. One way the U.S.P.S. is helping to avoid dog attacks is through education and public outreach programs.

Also, it has made its list of the most dangerous cities with the most reported canine assaults against letter carriers. Tips and educational neighborhood outreach like this have assisted in preventing injuries to these essential government employees who we count on to deliver our mail, rain, sleet, or snow.

“Even during these difficult times, it’s important for our customers to understand that letter carriers are still coming to homes daily and need to deliver mail safely,” said USPS Safety Awareness Program Manager Chris Johnson. “We are confident we can keep moving the trends of attacks downward, and ramping up overall awareness for everyone is the best way to do that.” (Chris Johnson USPS)

Tips and Technology for Letter Carriers to Stay Safe.

According to Johnson, technology supports carrier safety in two ways: mobile delivery devices and handheld scanners carriers use to confirm customer delivery. It includes a feature to indicate the presence of a dog at an individual address. The Informed Delivery service alerts customers to mail and packages coming to their homes, allowing them to plan for the carrier’s arrival by securing their dogs safely.

Some Steps Letters Carriers Learn to Mitigate a Dog Assault

Both dog owners and workers can achieve a safer neighborhood by: 

• Crate or keep your dog apart from any rooms, allowing your dog access to the front entry when receiving packages or letters while opening your door.
• For example, workers may not even drop your mail if they see a snarling dog behind a sliding glass door.
• Dogs are powerful and can often leap and shatter a large windowpane. So now, rather than get your mail, you get a visit from your local animal control or even an L.A.P.D. The detective will be investigating you for attempted murder charges. Just keep your dog away from making aggressive actions against the mailman, simple.

• Letter carriers and dog owners should avoid letting the family pet see the mail carrier take or hand letters back and forth. Especially in their homes, dogs could view this physical activity as an attack on their owner. If so, the dog will likely go for your hand, causing potentially long-term damage or worse.

• The Post Office usually warns homeowners, but your packages will be available for pickup at some point. So now you will have to drive to the postal office, wait in line, show your ID, and waste a lot of time to get your mail. Watch the video in support of U.S.P.S. carrier Dog Bite Prevention here.

Even when all parties take extra precautions, a postal worker risks being bitten by a dog. And if so, this innocent worker could suffer life-threatening injuries to their person.

Remember, dog bites can involve shredded muscles, destroyed nerves, facial and other bodily disfigurements, permanent adhesions, and more. Dogs are known to lunge at heads, shoulders, necks, arms, hands, and other parts of your torso, neck, legs, arms, and torso. Trust me, the last thing you want is a dog taking a bite out of you.

What are the Most Dangerous Cities for a Dog Attack Against a Postal Worker?

Dogs attacked a total of 5,803 USPS employees in 2019. The top 20 rankings comprise 30 cities, as some towns reported the same number of attacks:

How Does Your City Rank For 2019 Postal Employee Dog Attacks?

Houston, Texas, has the most dog assaults against letter carriers. But my city, L.A., ranks second, with 74 attacks. So, it makes sense that letter carriers would be more alert here and have the technology to warn them of areas where loose dogs are present.

City	State	2019
HOUSTON	TX	85
LOS ANGELES	CA	74
CHICAGO	IL	54
CLEVELAND	OH	51
DALLAS	TX	40
COLUMBUS	OH	35
PHILADELPHIA	PA	34
TOLEDO	OH	32
DENVER	CO	30
SAN DIEGO	CA	29
BALTIMORE	MD	29
LOUISVILLE	KY	28
SAN ANTONIO	TX	28
FORT WORTH	TX	27
DETROIT	MI	26
CINCINNATI	OH	26
SACRAMENTO	CA	25
KANSAS CITY	MO	25
EL PASO	TX	25
MEMPHIS	TN	24
PHOENIX	AZ	23
ST LOUIS	MO	22
ALBUQUERQUE	NM	22
LONG BEACH	CA	21
JACKSONVILLE	FL	21
INDIANAPOLIS	IN	21
CHARLOTTE	NC	21
SEATTLE	WA	21
MINNEAPOLIS	MN	20
DAYTON	OH	20

A national map with statistics for each city can be accessed at this link. For more data related to your area, contact your local U.S.P.S. Corporate Communications professional. Check out our dog bite law blog for more info on dog bite risks, such as the most dangerous breed and reporting dog attacks.

We can also assist you in cases where you were hit or injured by a postal truck or other vehicles on your delivery route. Call our attorneys at (213) 596-9642 about how we can help you get money for your troubles. 

Understanding Your Dog Assault Rights and Responsibilities 101

The aftermath of a terrible dog bite attack may be confusing and complicated. You are already injured, and now you have to face both medical treatment and a possible legal battle. You should consider your legal rights and the best path forward. Furthermore, your actions will affect whether a dangerous dog can attack more individuals. Of course, the first thing you should do is seek out medical attention. However, after that, the best idea is to contact a legal expert, like the trusted attorneys at the Ehline Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, or APLC.

Dog Assaults and Civil Liability

The owner or handler of the dog in question carries specific legal responsibilities. These are even more severe if the owner does not properly care for, train, or restrain the dog.

This includes:

Strict Liability for Trespass

There is 100% liability on the dog’s keeper if it enters into the injured party’s property.

Inherently Dangerous Animals

Furthermore, dog owners are strictly liable even if they don’t know that the animal is dangerous. An improperly trained dog or one that has attacked before is a particular case. The owner must keep the general public safe from dangerous animals.

Negligence and Attacking Dogs

This is more of a gray area than the above examples, but just as relevant. Owners who do not adequately leash or restrain their animals will likely be responsible. This is the case in public places where the owner brings the dog. Furthermore, each owner has a scale of duty, depending on how reckless their actions are. This includes allowing the dog off the leash in public or not restraining it at home. In addition, particular care could be needed for animals of certain breeds, such as pit bulls or Rottweilers.

Determining Your Rights After a Dog Attacks

Your rights start even before the animal attack. If you are not acting recklessly, the dog bite’s responsibility falls primarily on the owner. Contact us for more info on your next move, such as medical treatment and clamming up without a lawyer talking for you. Our trusted law firm has handled hundreds of similar cases– and makes the same promise each time. We will help you in your hour of need so you can receive an award of substantial compensation. If you don’t win, we don’t ask for a penny.

Understanding the Dog Laws of San Bernardino County

If you have a dog or are considering getting one, you should be abreast of the local municipal ordinances statutes where you reside. We’re reviewing the Animal Laws and Welfare from the San Bernardino County Public Health Department.

Licensing Your Dog in San Bernardino County.

From the County licensing laws. All dogs four months and older must be licensed by the County. When the dog reaches four months, the County requires owners to license dogs within 15 days of arriving at home. Dogs not spayed or neutered cost $96 for one year, $192 for two years, or $288 for a three-year license. Dogs unable to be spayed or neutered are eligible for lower-cost licenses. If a vet signs off, license fees drop to $24 annually.

A spayed or neutered dog costs the same annually for a license. However, there are discounts for paying for years in advance—$42 for two years and $54 for three. Seniors and disabled residents also qualify for reduced pricing. In this case, dog licenses are $12 per year. Late permits come with a $20 fee.

What are San Bernardino’s County Rules Regarding Leashing and Tethering Dogs?

We get this information from the County’s leash and tether laws. According to County Ordinance 32.0108, all animals must be adequately restrained in a car or cage. If a dog gets loose, the County can impound it. Furthermore, the owner must pay a reclaiming fee if a dog is impounded. In addition, the County requests that all dogs cannot exit a vehicle when riding in it.

All dogs should be leashed or tethered even when on your property. Dogs tethered to an object such as a tree, fence, or another stationary object for more than 3 hours per day is a violation of the California State Health and Safety Code, seen below:

No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object.

In addition, the state recommends using a mobile restraining system, like a trolley line, to keep your dog exercised and mobile. As you can see, San Bernardino has an extensive set of dog ownership laws. Feel free to surf our site to learn more about San Bernardino County Dog Bites.